MobyGame Groups™ v1.5

Forums > MobyGames > MobyGame Groups™ v1.5

Indra was here (20756) on 4/24/2013 2:34 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

Just putting stuff here until I'm in the mood to write descriptions for them or deem some of them unnecessary/incorrect/overlapping. I'll probably work faster if I'm bombarded by complements and school girls seeking answers to the meaning of life. Er.

Moving on....

Animals: Cow
Character: Activity - Anatomical / Electronic Targeting
Alternate titles:
- Aimed Targeting
Character: Activity - Animal Husbandry
Character: Activity - Arena Fighting
Character: Activity - Cannibalism
Character: Activity - Carpentry
Character: Activity - Crime
Character: Activity - Finishing Move
Character: Activity - Grapple Hook / Tether
Character: Activity - House Building
Character: Activity - Hairstyle(s)
Character: Activity - Headshot
Character: Activity - Horse Riding
Character: Activity - Tattoo(es)
Character: Activity - Torture
Character: Activity - Obesity / Skinny
Alternate titles:
- Physical Condition
Character: Activity - Upgradeable Anatomy
Character: Relationship - Divorce
Character: Relationship - Dynasty
Alternate titles:
- Family Tree
Character: Relationship - Marriage
Character: Status - Aging
Character: Status - Encumbrance
Character: Status - Property Ownership
Character: Status - Vehicle Ownership
Character: Status - Radioactive Poisoning
Character: Status - Military Rank
Character: Status - Medals
Character: Status - Civil Titles
Character: Status - Reputation
Interface - Achievements
Interface - Configurable Multi-Window
Interface - Encyclopedia
Interface - Kill List
Feature - Armor / Weapon Deterioration
Feature - Bestiary
Feature - Day/Night Cycle
Feature - Female Armor
Feature - Game within a Game
Feature - Slots
Feature - Slavery
Feature: Character Switch
Feature: Customized Ships / Vehicles.
Feature: Diplomacy
Feature: Multiple Endings
Feature: Technology Tree
Mechanics: Action Points
Mechanics: Advance through Ages
Mechanics: Mouse Gestures
Mechanics: Permanent Death
Mechanics ???: Trap Engine
Gameplay: FPS Archery
Gameplay: FPS Crossbow
Gameplay: FPS Missile Throw
Gameplay: Monster - Breeding
Gameplay: Monster - Evolution
Gameplay: Monster - Splicing
Gameplay: Monster - Training
Options - Exportable Character(s)
Options - Gender Selection
Options - Physical Copy Protection
Genre: Simulation - Jousting (originally proposed Game Feature: Mounted Combat)
Historical Conflict: Russo-Japanese War
Protagonist: Criminal
Protagonist: Child
Protagonist: Cow
Protagonist: Deity
Protagonist: Electronic / Household Appliance
Protagonist: Superhero
Technical - C64 Direct-to-TV
Technology: Jiggle Physics
Theme: Mail Delivery
Theme: Nuclear Exchange
Sound Engine: iMUSE
Uncategorized: Controversial Games
Visual Technique / Style - ASCII

Just a few for now. Well actually, if you're really, really, interested in getting some of these done, lemme know.

Note: I have no idea why I'm grouping these into sub-categories by the way. Please ignore as no consensus has been made.

Terms
Possible terms to be (or not to be) used in the sub-categories which I have no idea what they mean: activity, ability, concept, feature, interface, element, character, characteristic, management, mechanism, technique, etc.

Definitions

Character: A term used to categorize anything that has to do with the player-controlled character.
Character: Activity: A category to identify optional general actions available to the player-controlled character.
Character: Relationship: A category used to identify optional actions available to the player-controlled character, specifically in relation to personal relationships.
Character: Status: A category used to identify a passive state of being effecting the player-controlled character.
Character: Game Interface: A category used to identify...actually, I'm not entirely sure what I'm talking about here.
Gameplay Feature: A term used to identify a single gameplay mechanism. Should not be used if more than one mechanism is used. To be removed
Gameplay Feature: Monster: A category used to identify the manipulation of non-player character (NPC) monsters or similar creatures.
Gameplay: A category used to identify..er...I have no idea.
Feature: A category used to identify..er...I have no idea.
Options: A category used to identify..er...I have no idea.
Genre: A term used when a number of gameplay features are used to identify a specified yet continuously evolving pattern of games. It also must have reached a significant amount of games to warrant attention. Also requires a silly marketing jargon created and supported by people who have no idea what they're talking about, e.g. Action-Adventure. The term variant is used when gamers have no idea what they're talking about.
Theme: A term used to identify a single non-gameplay-related element.
Technical: A category used to identify non-gameplay technical-related concept.
Variant: A term used where to identify several key features a landmark game has, none of which have been successfully identified by the gaming community, where the game industry marketing team has yet to coin a new genre jargon, to be used to entice gamers into becoming braindead zombies, as they are incapable of identifying the individual key elements, and can only point vaguely at one or two familiarities and will be in constant conflict with other gamers who identified different familiarities.

Character: Class - Classless

Character: Class - Melee, Undefined

Character: Class - Melee, Amazon
Character: Class - Melee, Armorer
Character: Class - Melee, Beastmaster
Character: Class - Melee, Barbarian
Character: Class - Melee, Berserker
Character: Class - Melee, Blacksmith
Character: Class - Melee, Fighter
Character: Class - Melee, Knight
Character: Class - Melee, Monk
Character: Class - Melee, Paladin
Character: Class - Melee, Pirate / Swashbuckler
Character: Class - Melee, Viking
Character: Class - Melee, Warrior
Character: Class - Melee, Samurai
Character: Class - Melee, Shield-Bearer
Character: Class - Melee, Swordsman
Character: Class - Melee, Spearman
Character: Class - Melee, Valkyrie

Character: Class - Ranged, Undefined

Character: Class - Ranged, Archer
Character: Class - Ranged, Crossbowman
Character: Class - Ranged, Hunter
Character: Class - Ranged, Marksman
Character: Class - Ranged, Ranger

Character: Class - Magic, Undefined

Character: Class - Magic, Artificer
Character: Class - Magic, Acolyte
Character: Class - Magic, Battlemage
Character: Class - Magic, Conjuror
Character: Class - Magic, Cleric
Character: Class - Magic, Druid
Character: Class - Magic, Diviner
Character: Class - Magic, Elementalist
Character: Class - Magic, Enchanter
Character: Class - Magic, Illusionist
Character: Class - Magic, Necromancer
Character: Class - Magic, Mage / Magic-User / Spellcaster
Character: Class - Magic, Mentalist
Character: Class - Magic, Priest
Character: Class - Magic, Pyromancer
Character: Class - Magic, Sage
Character: Class - Magic, Shaman
Character: Class - Magic, Sorcerer
Character: Class - Magic, Summoner
Character: Class - Magic, Theurgist
Character: Class - Magic, Warlock
Character: Class - Magic, Witch
Character: Class - Magic, Wizard

Character: Class - Stealth, Undefined

Character: Class - Stealth, Acrobat
Character: Class - Stealth, Assassin
Character: Class - Stealth, Bandit
Character: Class - Stealth, Bard
Character: Class - Stealth, Scout
Character: Class - Stealth, Thief
Character: Class - Stealth, Rogue
Character: Class - Stealth, Ninja

Pay no attention to the character classes, my OCD is on dictator mode and my personality factions are arguing whether or not this is a bad idea.

Character: Race - Undefined

Character: Race - Alien-kind
Character: Race - Human-kind
Character: Race - Dwarf-kind
Character: Race - Demon-kind
Character: Race - Deity / Demigod
Character: Race - Elf-kind
Character: Race - Undead-kind
Character: Race - Giant-kind

Unicorn Lynx (181780) on 4/24/2013 4:29 AM · Permalink · Report

Day & Night Cycle is an important group. It would be very hard to track down the games, though. Also, I'm not sure it should be classified as interface, perhaps not even as a gameplay feature, since in many games it is purely cosmetic. Or maybe we should only list games where this feature affects gameplay?

Activity: Crime is interesting. But do we count games where the protagonist can commit crimes, or only those where he must commit crimes?

Activity: Cannibalism? Really? Are there such games?.. :)

Indra was here (20756) on 4/24/2013 5:17 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

[Q --start YID YANG wrote--]Day & Night Cycle is an important group. It would be very hard to track down the games, though. Also, I'm not sure it should be classified as interface, perhaps not even as a gameplay feature, since in many games it is purely cosmetic. Or maybe we should only list games where this feature affects gameplay?

Activity: Crime is interesting. But do we count games where the protagonist can commit crimes, or only those where he must commit crimes?

Activity: Cannibalism? Really? Are there such games?.. :) [/Q --end YID YANG wrote--] Not particularly interested in aesthetic reasons for the day / night cycle. More in the context that gameplay activities in day or night may differ (e.g. more monsters at night or shops only open in the day). Though if that were the case, it's more of an emphasis of a time cycle rather than a day/night one.

For crime, it's still ambiguous. My original emphasis is if you commit a crime, there will be repercussions. If you want a must commit crime, it would make more sense to make it a Protagonist: Criminal to me, regardless if the character originally wasn't a criminal. Anything from Thief to GTA would qualify as a protagonist I suppose.

The crime game group in my mind has more to do with crime as an option. As in Ultima where you can steal stuff from stores.

For cannibalism, to be specific, human cannibalism, so far I only recall two games:

Valhalla/Ragnarok
Unreal World

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/24/2013 5:41 AM · Permalink · Report

As always, NetHack belongs in the cannibalism group, along with many of the other groups. (No day/night cycle, but it does track the phase of the moon!)

Donatello (466) on 4/24/2013 5:50 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

[Q --start Pseudo_Intellectual wrote--]As always, NetHack belongs in the cannibalism group, along with many of the other groups. (No day/night cycle, but it does track the phase of the moon!) [/Q --end Pseudo_Intellectual wrote--]

Speaking of phase of the moon, Shin Megami Tensei games have that. However, this is purely a gameplay mechanic with no change in the physical environment.

Also, awesome job, Indra! Really appreciate your GG (gamegrouping) skills!

Wouldn't Marriage and Divorce be the same? If marriage is an active choice in the game, then surely there is divorce as well.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/24/2013 6:02 AM · Permalink · Report

[Q --start Donatello wrote--]Wouldn't Marriage and Divorce be the same? If marriage is an active choice in the game, then surely there is divorce as well. [/Q --end Donatello wrote--]Many games have marriage without the divorce option unfortunately.

GTramp (81965) on 4/24/2013 8:43 AM · Permalink · Report

The game I've almost finished contributing - Final Fantasy IV: The After Years - has changing moon phases too, with a significant impact on gameplay. No visual difference though.

Yearman (29523) on 4/24/2013 1:49 PM · Permalink · Report

[Q --start Indra was here wrote--] For cannibalism, to be specific, human cannibalism, so far I only recall two games:

Valhalla/Ragnarok
Unreal World

[/Q --end Indra was here wrote--]

There's a cannibalism-themed quest in Skyrim where you have to kill a priest and feast on the corpse. Aside from that, there are various locations where you can find human flesh and human hearts as well. Not sure if you can use them as cooking ingredients but you can eat them raw.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/24/2013 2:03 PM · Permalink · Report

Minor feature in Skyrim, but it should still qualify.

Rola (8485) on 4/24/2013 12:21 PM · Permalink · Report

Did the old thread grow too big?

Indra was here (20756) on 4/24/2013 12:31 PM · Permalink · Report

Nah, would just rather list things here first, rather than pay too much attention to the description and eventually get screwed.

Rola (8485) on 4/24/2013 1:12 PM · Permalink · Report

Bored with the MobyGroups wiki already?

I typed some new group proposals there, do I need to copy&paste them here for anyone to take notice?

Trap Engine? What's that?

Indra was here (20756) on 4/24/2013 1:24 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

Not yet. The wiki seems to dislike me logging in sometimes. No idea why. Don't worry, I'll move 'em here. Still in brainstorming phase and perhaps will remain there awhile until the voices in my head figure out the category hierarchy tree.

Trap Engine, due to a lack of a better term. A type of trap system, first introduced by Evil Genius where you introduce a system of traps that operate as a singular system as a whole. Technically, Dungeon Keeper was one of the first to use traps as part of gameplay, however traps in Dungeon Keeper were independent (no relation/combination between one trap and the other).

Still trying to figure out a better term and a better scope for this. Basically it should relate to 'a system of interconnected' traps. Other examples that have this feature are Dwarf Fortress und Trapt.

So the question is, should there be a game group that has traps (a lot of ninja games in this category) or a trap system/engine? No idea as of yet.

Rola (8485) on 4/24/2013 1:38 PM · Permalink · Report

I guess the only game I can think of is Pirate Defense.

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/24/2013 2:39 PM · Permalink · Report

Isn't every tower defense game a trap system game?

Indra was here (20756) on 4/24/2013 3:02 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

Which is why it's a tad confusing. What's the difference the examples above and tower defence games? Not much. Yet, those games don't qualify as tower defence games.

Well, perhaps the time limit for one.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/25/2013 4:06 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

Changelog:

Introduced Character: Relationship.
Removed Character: Family.
Introduced Gameplay Feature - Minor (i.e. minor feature, still not liking the term).
Introduced Gameplay Feature - Major (i.e. major feature, still not liking the term).
Introduced Gameplay Feature - Options.
Introduced Gameplay Feature - Technical.
Introduced Sound Engine.
Introduced Uncategorized.
Added Character: Activity - Arena Fighting.
Added Character: Activity - Grapple Hook / Tether.
Added Character: Activity - Horse Riding.
Added Character: Activity - Tattoo(es)
Added Character: Status - Medals.
Added Character: Status - Reputation.
Added Character: Status - Vehicle Ownership.
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - Advance through Ages.
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - Character Switch.
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - Customized Ships / Vehicles.
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - Diplomacy.
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - Multiple Endings.
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - Technology Tree.
Added Gameplay Feature: Minor - Armor / Weapon Deterioration.
Added Gameplay Feature: Minor - Equipment Switch.
Added Gameplay Feature: Minor - Female Armor.
Added Gameplay Feature: Minor - Game within a Game.
Added Gameplay Feature: Minor - Jiggle Physics.
Added Gameplay Feature: Minor - Quick Slots.
Added Gameplay Feature: Minor - Slavery.
Added Gameplay Feature: Options - Exportable Character(s).
Added Gameplay Feature: Options - Physical Copy Protection.
Added Gameplay Feature: Technical: C64 Direct-to-TV.
Added Game Interface - Developer Room.
Added Game Engine - ASCII -- Pseudo, you need to add this!
Added Sound Engine: iMUSE.
Added Historical Conflict: Russo-Japanese War.
Added Protagonist: Child.
Added Protagonist: Superhero.
Added Theme: Nuclear Exchange.
Added Uncategorized: Controversial Games.
Changed Gender Selection to Options category.
Moved Encyclopedia, Kill List to Game Interface category.
Moved Achievements, Military Rank, Civil Titles to Character: Status category.
Added definitions for each term or category used.

Considering whether or not to merge the following into a single game group:

Character: Status: Achievements
Character: Status: Medals
Character: Status: Military Rank
Character: Status: Civil Title

Indra was here (20756) on 4/25/2013 4:09 AM · Permalink · Report

Could an approver copy paste the game group proposals in the approver wiki und PM it to me? Danke.

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/25/2013 3:22 PM · Permalink · Report

ASCII is a display type, not a game engine, covered in our existing text mode tech specs. I don't know what you want me to do here.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/25/2013 3:24 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

My bad then. Thought it was an engine of sorts. So, no need for an ASCII game group?

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/25/2013 5:54 PM · Permalink · Report

Well, you tell me, what would be some games in that group? Kroz is a series, not an engine; ZZT is an engine...

Indra was here (20756) on 4/26/2013 1:11 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

Wait a minute. I just check the tech specs, there's no option to identify ASCII games. Seems like we need an ASCII game group then.

Interface: ASCII. Or some other category.

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/26/2013 5:45 AM · Permalink · Report

What is the difference between text mode and ASCII? What are you trying to say here? Would it cover text adventures? Really, give me a couple of games that would belong to this group and we can see what they have in common.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/26/2013 5:58 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

Ah, here's the freakin' category I was looking for:

Visual Technique / Style.

Need this warrant further explanation? Or am I incorrect in categorizing it as such?

Basically, not just consisting of text, but emphasis of the use of text to imitate graphics, as in rogue variants.

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/26/2013 6:32 AM · Permalink · Report

Sure, but one more time: how does that differ from the tech spec of using the textmode video display? Here, http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/dos/tic,2/ti,9/ is the one I'm thinking of for eg. MS-DOS.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/26/2013 6:37 AM · Permalink · Report

I view the relation between e.g. Video Mode: 80-column text mode + ASCII no different with Video Mode: VGA + Cel shaded. This would be a correct analogy, no? One is video mode, the other graphical style.

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/26/2013 4:48 PM · Permalink · Report

Of course you can have ASCII in a 40-column text mode also, but you cannot have it in any kind of graphics mode -- you can use ASCII characters any time of course, but that doesn't make the game necessarily in ASCII mode.

Is your intention for the group, whatever it's trying to indicate, to apply to PCs only? Commodores used PETSCII and Ataris had ATASCII, etc. ASCII with colour (as typically used in roguelikes) isn't even ASCII anymore, now it's ANSI.

But really, if all games that would go in the group are already accounted for by that tech spec, is it necessary to have their textmode-ness affirmed redundantly?

vedder (70762) on 4/26/2013 5:36 PM · Permalink · Report

I think the goal of the gamegroup should be to group games which use art made out of characters; commonly referred to as ASCII-art. Although I don't think this group should limit itself to the ASCII table. There will be fuzzy boundaries, particularly with games written in BASIC that use character sets that include some rudimentary graphics.

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/26/2013 7:36 PM · Permalink · Report

so, "Visual style: Textmode art"?

That would include Rogue (MS-DOS and TRS-80 only) and Trade Wars and Pyro II and ANSI Dude...

I believe the borders of the text screens in "Hound of Shadow" are remapped text characters. I figure the automap in Beyond Zork is similar, technologically, while Zork Zero is off in a whole other graphical world.

chirinea (47496) on 4/26/2013 9:24 PM · Permalink · Report

This group will have lots and lots of games for the ZX-81.

vedder (70762) on 4/26/2013 10:35 PM · Permalink · Report

Probably should be limited to games that use actual letters, numbers, punctuation and math operators to depict (a part of) their graphics. So that would rule out Pyro II (judging from the screenshots on file) and Hound of the Shadow, but would allow Rogue and ANSI Dude.

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/26/2013 11:32 PM · Permalink · Report

So's we're all on the same page, while every character in the below diagram is considered to be part of the ASCII character set, functionally, ANSI art is generally drawn only with the circled ones.

Some programmers, interested in making the most of textmode's display benefits (quick 'n easy), drew new shapes to replace existing but unused ones in the character set, which is what I think is going on in Pyro II and Hound of Shadow (among other games). ANSI artists did the same thing in variant textmodes with the ansi editors iCEDraw and Artworx. Still textmode, but no longer ANSI.

I ran an ansi art group for 5 years, so I tend to split hairs about these things.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/27/2013 5:17 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

I support this motion whatever you guys are proposing!

Rwolf (22787) on 4/27/2013 11:41 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

Would Snipes qualify for this group? I always thought it was ANSI or ASCII graphics in the maze walls, but with the bg:s heads and the player character I don't know if a special character map was used. (I think it was some control characters, STX/ETX or such to create little smiling heads for bg:s)

http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/snipes

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 4/27/2013 7:12 PM · Permalink · Report

I would say snipes is 40-col textmode, ansi (without which ascii has no color).

Rola (8485) on 4/25/2013 4:06 PM · Permalink · Report

Just C64 Direct-to-TV. I treat it as compilation of sorts, although it's an embedded C64, made to work as plug'n'play console, with built-in games.

Fred VT (25953) on 4/25/2013 3:38 PM · Permalink · Report

I don't know how it would be entered (does it count as an engine, or requirement?), but there should be a group for games that run on PlayOnline (Tetra Master, FFXI, Dirge of Cerberus).

leilei (343) on 4/26/2013 3:47 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

No way we can fit a "Create-a-character/CAWs" group for non-RPGs? It's actually hard finding a list of games with this ability.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/26/2013 3:52 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

My Google search of CAWs resulted in numerous suspicious looking cows. o_O

In summary, me knows not what you're referring to.

Fred VT (25953) on 4/26/2013 11:57 AM · Permalink · Report

I'd guess: Create a Warrior

Indra was here (20756) on 4/26/2013 12:01 PM · Permalink · Report

No idea what that means either. This a cultural thing?

Fred VT (25953) on 4/26/2013 12:34 PM · Permalink · Report

Just how the "create a character" is named in some games, but again, it's just a guess...

leilei (343) on 4/26/2013 1:19 PM · Permalink · Report

Well CAW in this case would be Create a Wrestler, commonly found since WWF War Zone

Indra was here (20756) on 4/27/2013 6:06 PM · Permalink · Report

Changelog

Added Character: Activity - Animal Husbandry
Added Character: Activity - Carpentry
Added Character: Activity - Hairstyle(s)
Added Character: Activity - Torture
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - FPS Archery
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - FPS Crossbow
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - FPS Missile Throw
Added Gameplay Feature: Major - Mouse Gestures
Added Protagonist: Deity

Fred VT (25953) on 4/29/2013 4:45 PM · Permalink · Report

I just saw a submission for: Protagonist: Cow

o_o

Indra was here (20756) on 4/29/2013 5:02 PM · Permalink · Report

MooMoo added to protagonist list.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/29/2013 5:01 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

Changelog:

Separated Gameplay and Feature. Apparently after some digging in computer science, gameplay and game feature are two different concepts. Though they did not explain it very well.
Introduced: Mechanics
Introduced: Technology
Added: Mechanics: Action Points
Added: Mechanics: Permanent Death
Added: Animals - Cow
I still have no idea what I'm doing.

Yearman (29523) on 4/29/2013 5:06 PM · Permalink · Report

Back to that cow group. It's just another animals game group, not protagonist. I contributed this one yesterday. Added six games but there are more.

Indra was here (20756) on 4/29/2013 5:13 PM · Permalink · Report

Righty ho. Fixing...

Indra was here (20756) on 5/1/2013 6:32 AM · Permalink · Report

Do we need an Indie tag?

Patrick Bregger (299628) on 5/1/2013 6:33 AM · Permalink · Report

Rwolf (22787) on 5/7/2013 6:31 PM · Permalink · Report

For my nerdy needs, I'd like an added 'Aircraft: F-8 Crusader' group, or an addition of this plane to the 'A-7 Corsair II' group, as they are externally pretty similar.

Another indicator that could be useful would be a Macromedia Director engine group, esp. as games built on Director 5 seems impossible to run in compatibility mode on XP and above. (e.g. Amber: Journeys Beyond etc.) Not sure if this is worthy of a group, or just tech info.

Yearman (29523) on 5/7/2013 8:12 PM · Permalink · Report

I will create the F-8 group and you are going to add those add-ons and games. The Corsair II and the Crusader look similar but they do not belong into the same game group.

Rwolf (22787) on 5/8/2013 3:30 AM · Permalink · Report

Thank you, a handful of games added to the F-8 group.

Pedro Ferreira (2627) on 5/16/2013 6:31 PM · Permalink · Report

REQUEST: Hi, just finished one of the Mysterious City games and noticed there's no specific group for the series. It should be:

The Mysterious City: Cairo

The Mysterious City: Golden Prague

The Mysterious City: Vegas

Not sure if this is the right thread to post this but if it could be added that would be most helpful.

Pedro Ferreira (2627) on 5/26/2013 10:51 PM · Permalink · Report

[Q --start PEDRO FERREIRA wrote--]REQUEST: Hi, just finished one of the Mysterious City games and noticed there's no specific group for the series. It should be:

The Mysterious City: Cairo

The Mysterious City: Golden Prague

The Mysterious City: Vegas

Not sure if this is the right thread to post this but if it could be added that would be most helpful. [/Q --end PEDRO FERREIRA wrote--]So will this be actioned or cannot it be grouped for some reason?

Alaka (106012) on 5/27/2013 1:41 AM · Permalink · Report

[Q --start PEDRO FERREIRA wrote--] [Q2 --start PEDRO FERREIRA wrote--]REQUEST: Hi, just finished one of the Mysterious City games and noticed there's no specific group for the series. It should be:

The Mysterious City: Cairo

The Mysterious City: Golden Prague

The Mysterious City: Vegas

Not sure if this is the right thread to post this but if it could be added that would be most helpful. [/Q2 --end PEDRO FERREIRA wrote--]So will this be actioned or cannot it be grouped for some reason? [/Q --end PEDRO FERREIRA wrote--]

This group is currently pending.

Pedro Ferreira (2627) on 6/10/2013 9:26 PM · Permalink · Report

Thank you, I see it now.

leilei (343) on 5/20/2013 10:57 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

I still think this should be merged with this.

There is no "Team Arena engine". The only notable thing about Team Arena that some of those games use is the menu system (not part of the engine itself, but rather in a separate ui module), and there's some of those that don't even use the menu system (like any game using UberTools, as Ubertools has its own menu system).

The gaming press releases that mentions a "Team Arena engine" is just complete bullshit :D
That said we could use a new group that have games that utilize UberTools, a reworked streamlined-for-single-player id Tech3 framework that many games have used. Notably... FAKK2, Alice, MOHAA, Elite Force II. Unlike "Team Arena engine", this was a real thing that could be licensed from Ritual Entertainment for a time

jean-louis (76497) on 5/22/2013 6:50 PM · Permalink · Report

L'aigle d'Or (Golden Eagle) is already submitted and since its sequel is already on file, please consider to group the two in a "Golden Eagle" series. Both are action/adventure games from Loriciel.

http://www.mobygames.com/game/golden-eagle

Patrick Bregger (299628) on 6/2/2013 6:13 AM · Permalink · Report

I am sure there were a few games with a dongle copy protection (BAT or BAT II?). Unfortunately I can't remember them so I can't make the group myself.

lilalurl (733) on 6/2/2013 10:39 AM · Permalink · Report

Here are those on Amiga and that are currently emulated in Winuae: http://upload-pics.org/images/83977665380801563429.jpg

Does not automatically mean that other platforms releases use a dongle (but a good hint I guess).

Rola (8485) on 6/3/2013 6:23 PM · Permalink · Report

I recall I entered it once in the tech-specs - wouldn't it be the best place, considering it's platform-specific?

Indra was here (20756) on 6/3/2013 9:50 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

Request creation for the following game group series:

Dungeons of Dredmor series
Highborn series
Omerta: City of Gangsters series
Primal Carnage series
The Book of Unwritten Tales series

Thank you.

Fred VT (25953) on 6/3/2013 11:23 PM · Permalink · Report

And there's still no group for Final Fantasy XIII.

Indra was here (20756) on 6/3/2013 11:41 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

[Q --start Fred VT wrote--]And there's still no group for Final Fantasy XIII. [/Q --end Fred VT wrote--]The game group policy is a bit inconsistent in this regard. Thus far, the default rule (?) is just one game group for all the series. Thus Final Fantasy I - XXX would fall under Final Fantasy series. Which also means those other Final Fantasy groups are a bit confusing.

There were previous discussions about this but resulted in being ignored indefinitely. The original propositions were:

All games into [Game Title]: series, e.g. Final Fantasy series.
Each series version gets their own game group, e.g. Final Fantasy X series. Though remains the question its relation to Final Fantasy series game group. Which seems fine to me anyway. Question: If there are 13 games in Final Fantasy VI and only 1 game in Final Fantasy VII, does this mean there should be two Final Fantasy game game groups? One Final Fantasy series group and one Final Fantasy XIII series group? My answer would be yes. Additional Question: If yes, should the Final Fantasy series game group only include the main games or include every other expansion/DLC/add-on in existence? Not sure.
Inconsistencies with game groups using "universe" or "games" in their titles, e.g. Final Fantasy universe vs. Final Fantasy games vs. Final Fantasy series vs. Final Fantasy licensees.

Tis a mess.

Fred VT (25953) on 6/4/2013 12:15 AM · Permalink · Report

There is a group for Final Fantasy series (only the numbered main series) and one for Final Fantasy Universe, which include all the game from previous group + games like Chocobo dungeon. Plus, there already are groups for each subseries except X and XIII.

There are also Ivalice alliance and Ivalice universe...

Alaka (106012) on 6/5/2013 1:58 AM · Permalink · Report

[Q --start Indra was here wrote--]Request creation for the following game group series:

Dungeons of Dredmor series
Highborn series
Omerta: City of Gangsters series
Primal Carnage series
The Book of Unwritten Tales series

Thank you. [/Q --end Indra was here wrote--]

All pending approval, except the last one on the list, which already has a group.

Indra was here (20756) on 6/3/2013 11:34 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

So I'm in the mood to start mucking around with game groups again. Though this time I'll start with the easiest ones and won't go around proposing new ones until it gets fixed and approved.

Gameplay Feature: Cannibalism

Description
Games that feature cannibalism, specifically human cannibalism as an optional activity made available to the player. Usual practice consists of devouring human flesh which may result positive and negative effects. Positive effects may include nourishment, reputation, etc., while negative effects may include in-game social sanction, being cursed, etc.

Limitations

This is not a cannibal-themed game group. Cannibalism must be an optional activity made available to the player. Games where cannibalism is the result of plot/story, quest, or other mandatory requirements are to be excluded from this game group, unless the option to freely cannibalize others still remains. Nor does this apply if the protagonist starts as a cannibal.
Is limited to human cannibalism. Thus, a vegan vegetable does not count. Neither do vampires, werewolves, or other flesh eating monster protagonists. The protagonist must be identified as a stereotypical human, where cannibalism may be considered an exotic break from the normal diet.
Games where cannibalism is a choice, however by doing so, may include a feature where the character permanently becomes a cannibal, should be included in this game group.
Games where cannibalism may exist via unofficial modding, should be excluded from this game group.

Example Games

Ragnarok / Valhalla (1993)
Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Wayward

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 6/4/2013 3:50 AM · Permalink · Report

NetHack, of course.

Rola (8485) on 6/4/2013 4:46 AM · Permalink · Report

Can it be also true for ADOM?

Indra was here (20756) on 6/5/2013 3:45 PM · Permalink · Report

Any additional input? If not, request an approver queue this up so we can get moving to the next item. Danke.

Indra was here (20756) on 6/8/2013 3:52 PM · Permalink · Report

Bumpity bump.

Indra was here (20756) on 6/28/2013 7:51 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

Final bump. This is getting dull.

Ignore the description. I'll add it later.

Donatello (466) on 6/28/2013 8:53 PM · Permalink · Report

By the way are there any games with necrophilia and if yes, should Mobygames document them?

Indra was here (20756) on 6/28/2013 9:04 PM · Permalink · Report

Necrophilia? Haven't personally played any yet. Hentai games most likely. Ask Oleg. :p

Should we? Without question. Especially due to the scientific study involving homosexual necrophilia among Mallard Ducks, which won the Ig Nobel Prize for Biology in 2003. Which has nothing to do with the question, just thought you'd like to know. :)

Indra was here (20756) on 6/8/2013 7:03 PM · Permalink · Report

Yeah, I'm going to propose something annoying again.

Series: Warcraft

After much thought and research, license should actually be renamed to Franchise e.g. Franchise: Starship Troopers, as license is too general a definition, the exact activity we're talking about here is game franchising.

The start of each description would simply say "Games using names, characters, settings, and/or other trademarked or intellectual property rights under the [e.g. Starship Trooper] license."

Doing this to tidy things up since the 'Warcraft games' type game groups have been left unattended for far too long. Will also get rid of all those universes and uncategorized game groups.

Pseudo_Intellectual (66361) on 6/9/2013 3:29 PM · Permalink · Report

But does it distinguish between games using the license in an authorized and unauthorized fashion?

Indra was here (20756) on 6/9/2013 6:08 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

[Q --start Pseudo_Intellectual wrote--]But does it distinguish between games using the license in an authorized and unauthorized fashion? [/Q --end Pseudo_Intellectual wrote--] Just the authorized ones, the term 'franchise' also specifies the context in which we're talking about: which is that a licensed title and/or content is being used by third parties with permission, whereas if you just use the term 'licensees' it just refers to some dude, not necessarily the activity nor the legal status of the relationship.

We still don't have a 'category' that includes both licensed and unlicensed/unauthorized/fanmade, other than '[title] games' (e.g. Alley Cat games as I've noticed several groups you've made include both without distinction (not entirely sure if it needs to be distinguished either). So whether using the previous Licensees or Franchise title, such a group would still not, by defintion, include the unauthorized ones.

Or we could just stick to 'games', which would still include both. Though Games: Alley Cat just sounds wrong. Even more so, since Alley Cat isn't even a licensed title to begin with.

Gawd, I hate intellectual property laws.

Rola (8485) on 6/10/2013 1:48 PM · Permalink · Report

The problem is that if we skip the fangames and only list licensed products (which is a sound idea), how people would be able to find those fangames? And this is the primary reason for having groups - find another one that shares the characteristic.

So far I was submitting the games to "...series" / "...universe" groups, while also adding them to "fangames". At some point in the future ahem we'll get the cross-group search or perhaps even color-coded listings (my old proposal).

Indra was here (20756) on 6/10/2013 2:03 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

Well, personally I don't see a problem if fan games are included in the franchise, for the reasons you've mentioned.

Just have to mention it in the description. Though to be fair, such games (a game in its entirely fan-made/unofficial) also deserve their own fan-based game group, similar to this User / fan contributed content game group.

Personally, I have no idea why we had the licensee-type game groups to begin with, seems to have created more problems than it solves.

Rola (8485) on 7/6/2013 11:20 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

Don't Starve (thanks for adding, Indra) reminded me: do we need a group for item crafting NOT covered by blacksmithing, goldsmithing, alchemy and food preparation groups?
Or is it considered too generic?

Example: Arcanum with its schematics for weapons etc.

leilei (343) on 7/6/2013 11:26 PM · Permalink · Report

And then there's Team Fortress 2, which would also suit this new group.

Indra was here (20756) on 7/6/2013 11:38 PM · edited · Permalink · Report

I would advise against it. Personally, to me if it's not specific enough (or sometimes, too limited), it's going to create problems 5-20 years from now as game features become more diverse.

The good news is, I've basically already have the framework for the remaining survival-type game groups that need to be added, among others: Fletchery (crossbows included), Woodcutting/Lumberjack, and the last resort Woodworking/Woodcrafting for all those obscure wood-related items. Also, Goldsmithing needs to be renamed to Metalsmithing. Other types of crafting do not seem to be significant enough to warrant a mention, I suspect.

That about covers it for now, I think.

Oh, might want to add those screenshots for Don't Starve now. My version refuses to go into fullscreen mode for some stupid reason.

Though good luck trying to get game groups through. I've given up trying.

vedder (70762) on 7/7/2013 9:22 AM · Permalink · Report

My suggestion would be to change the blacksmithing game group into a more generic "weapon crafting" game group.

Indra was here (20756) on 7/7/2013 10:52 AM · Permalink · Report

Which leaves the question what to do with armor?

See, I tell people I spend hours and hours thinking about the best course of action, but no one freakin believes me.

vedder (70762) on 7/7/2013 11:26 AM · Permalink · Report

Then call it armour crafting. Armour traditionally refers to both weapons and protective gear, i.e. everything need for going into combat. Call it combat gear and arms crafting if you don't want to cause any confusion. The main point as I see it is to group games in which you can craft things of any kind that give you an edge in combat.

Indra was here (20756) on 7/7/2013 11:56 AM · Permalink · Report

Then you come across games where they have only weapon crafting or armorsmithing, however don't have both (yes, there are such games). Which would be slightly misinformative.

Also the total generalized game group would be just Crafting. Basically anything, weapons, armor, rings, totems, or anything carryable. What's wrong with that? Nothing wrong with it. It's just, I have noticed that many gamers have peculiar interests and prefer to differentiate. Some prefer to differentiate between weapon/armor and other craftable items. Others prefer to differentiate all three. Others also would like to know which materials are involved.

Personally, I envision game groups that hardcore gamers (read=any gamer that has a particular interest in a particular type of gameplay) can appreciate. Casual for the gamers or person(s) not interested in mentioned game feature wouldn't care less.

That's why we have game groups, because genre's do not do it justice. Adventure gamers wouldn't care less the types of strategy games, and vise versa. That's why I like creating specific game groups. As for the most part, the only gamers that truly care about finding such features are those who already have specific interests.

If there's one thing I've learned about gamers, is to pay attention to the hardcore ones. This actually applies to any cultural field. They're the ones who have the passion and are picky. They're the ones whose needs are the ones who needs to be addressed. Not average Joe gamer.

So if anyone isn't particularly interested in a mentioned game feature. Just bugger off.

vileyn0id_8088 (21040) on 7/7/2013 7:28 PM · Permalink · Report

Theme: Ecology/Environment

There should be a bunch of these. Including a silly old EGA DOS game that I was just searching for (can't remember the title.. some top-down run-and-gun where you are supposed to clean up an environmental disaster on some planet and fight living garbage creatures).

Rola (8485) on 7/8/2013 10:43 AM · Permalink · Report

How different would it be from the Ecology / Nature genre?

vileyn0id_8088 (21040) on 7/8/2013 1:49 PM · Permalink · Report

That's a sub-genre of Educational, and not all games with this theme necessarily belong there (e.g. the one described above). But yeah, I suppose it would be a bit hard to justify both.