I now see why so many people tried to make the ultimate database and have given up or failed (meaning it is (way too) limited). There are just too many complications. In this episodic journal I hope to address all those issues and ask for your feedback/suggestions in the form of a poll, but you can always comment or send me a message.
There have been many attempts at making an (adventure) game database, but I always feel the more details (fields) you add, the more you leave out. Current and past attempts will be scrutinized and critized, mainly to see what can be improved, rather than just to vent frustration. Throughout this development, I will often use the game The 7th Guest as an example. Besides being one of my favourite games, it is also the first (commercial) adventure game in the alpha/numerical list, altough for some reason Mobygames displays The 11th Hour (a game that succeed The 7th Guest) first (on page 5 in their game browser),
There have been many attempts at making an (adventure) game database, but I always feel the more details (fields) you add, the more you leave out. Current and past attempts will be scrutinized and critized, mainly to see what can be improved, rather than just to vent frustration. Throughout this development, I will often use the game The 7th Guest as an example. Besides being one of my favourite games, it is also the first (commercial) adventure game in the alpha/numerical list, altough for some reason Mobygames displays The 11th Hour (a game that succeed The 7th Guest) first (on page 5 in their game browser),
while The 7th Guest itself is on page 29/30)
Ok, let’s just list the bloody thing. Type in the name of the game and hit enter.
What’s so difficult about that?
Well, Believe it or not Ripley, it is The Riddle of Master Lu. Excuse me?
Certain games have such elaborate titles, like (BIONTROML) that some list them under their full title and some not.
What’s so difficult about that?
Well, Believe it or not Ripley, it is The Riddle of Master Lu. Excuse me?
Certain games have such elaborate titles, like (BIONTROML) that some list them under their full title and some not.
Adventure Archiv (a German site) lists games according to their full title (although not in this case), including the The, which in essence is 100% accurate.
Also The 11th Hour has a sub title or tag, named The Sequel to The 7th Guest. Mobygames does not include this subtitle, although when it comes to Riven, it somehow does. Is The Sequel to Myst then an integral part of the title and not just a tag line?
Judging from the game itself, it is not.
Although the intro of the 11th Hour, does show the tag line as an integral part of the title. Confused yet? I know I am. Anyway, let’s continue.
Some games listed in a game series, like the Space Quest Series, are listed on Adventure Archiv as
Although the spelling is technically incorrect, (as Space Quest 2 is spelled as Space Quest II on the box and game), it is convenient for making a list look more streamlined, especially since Space Quest 6 decided not to use Roman numerals. Then of course you can argue if there should be a colon (:) , a dash (-) or nothing between the main - and sub title.
Mobygames uses both the : and the - in the game when listing
Mobygames uses both the : and the - in the game when listing
technically incorrent, (but I like it and use it myself), but it technically correct it would look like this:)
SPACE QUEST CHAPTER I THE SARIEN ENCOUNTER
Including the CAPS, yes, because when we look at the 7th Guest itself, the box I mean
SPACE QUEST CHAPTER I THE SARIEN ENCOUNTER
Including the CAPS, yes, because when we look at the 7th Guest itself, the box I mean
(thank you Mobygames for removing those wonderful annoying banners of yours)
You can see that the original spelling would look like:
You can see that the original spelling would look like:
I did mention it was going to be thorough, right?
Then there are certain countries, where the game is released under a different name. Broken Sword for example is called Baphomets Fluch in Germany. It is not a direct translation, (which would be Zerbrochenes Schwert) for which they have habit of doing, but a new title (meaning Baphomet’s Curse). Even in the USA, where they do speak English, it is (re)named Circle of Blood. And that’s the title name Mobygames uses, although they do put the original game title ( I assume it is original since Revolution Software is British) Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars) under
You can see that each of these countries renamed the game.
Not sure what the relevance of a common abbreviation is, but as far as game titles go, Mobygames sometimes puts A.K.A. (also known as) behind a title
Not sure what the relevance of a common abbreviation is, but as far as game titles go, Mobygames sometimes puts A.K.A. (also known as) behind a title
In this case, it is just a direct translation of the title, which I am sure there are as many as there are countries.
As far as the original title goes, some games were designed in a non English speaking country, like
which is a Polish adventure game. (designed by Polish people)
It is also released in German, called Galador, der Fluch des Prinzen
(what’s with the Fluchs guys?
Recently an English translation was made calling it The Prince And The Coward
Soooo, how are these listed? In their original language? Keeping the characters of the name which are not even on most keyboards? ( Галадор: Пpоклятие Пpинца)
(what’s with the Fluchs guys?
Recently an English translation was made calling it The Prince And The Coward
Soooo, how are these listed? In their original language? Keeping the characters of the name which are not even on most keyboards? ( Галадор: Пpоклятие Пpинца)
Or like Adventure Legend
List them all in one go?
Okay, I am still scratching the surface here, so will continue in Episode 2: Game Entries part 2 (oh, don't you just love sequels...there are so creative..yawn..)
Anyway, here are some polls, as you obviously can see this goes way out of my head and over my league and I won't really be able to continue without you. (which is a fact)
Displaying a game title (1). 'The'.
Displaying a game title (2). Main and sub.
Displaying a game title (3). Language.
Displaying a game title (4). Numerals.
Displaying a game title (5). Spelling (1).
Displaying a game title (5). Spelling (2).