When did Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt launch MobyGames?
Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt launched MobyGames on the 1st of March 1999. The initial database relied entirely on their personal collections of IBM PC game data.
Questions about MobyGames
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who acquired MobyGames in mid-2010 for an undisclosed amount of money?
GameFly purchased MobyGames in mid-2010 for an undisclosed amount of money. The announcement came after the transaction was already complete, which surprised many community members.
What date did Atari SA officially purchase MobyGames from Blue Flame Labs?
Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs on the 24th of November 2021 to purchase the database for $1.5 million. That purchase officially completed on the 8th of March 2022, keeping Freyholtz as general manager during the transition period.
Why did some volunteers refuse to continue doing unpaid work for MobyGames?
Some volunteers refused to continue doing unpaid work for what they viewed as a commercial entity following the acquisition by GameFly. This reaction occurred after the site received an unpopular redesign that alienated several major contributors.
When did Jeremiah Freyholtz step down as site lead for MobyGames?
Jeremiah Freyholtz stepped down as site lead on the 13th of February 2025 to pursue new projects. Operations now rest with Tracy Poff, a veteran coder who has worked on the platform for years.