MobyGames
Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt launched MobyGames on the 1st of March 1999. They began with a simple goal to share information about computer games with a wider audience. The initial database relied entirely on their personal collections of IBM PC game data. David Berk joined the team 18 months after the launch, completing the trio of high school friends who built the site. Their early work focused strictly on cataloging titles for IBM PC compatibles without any commercial pressure. Leonard wanted to treat video games as worthy of serious preservation rather than dismissing them as fleeting entertainment. A published standard for game information guided how they recorded credits and summaries during these formative years.
Volunteer approvers review every edit and submission before it appears in the public database. This fact-checking process can take anywhere from minutes to days or even months depending on complexity. Contributors must cite sources like the video game's official website, physical packaging, or credit screens to validate their entries. The most commonly used sources remain those three specific types of documentation throughout the site's history. Users earn points through a ranking system when they contribute accurate information that passes verification. Registered members can also rate and review games while creating private or public lists of titles they own or desire. These have and want lists sometimes generate trade opportunities between other registered users on the platform. An integrated forum allows each listed game to maintain its own sub-forum for discussion among enthusiasts.
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. Following this acquisition, the site received an unpopular redesign that alienated several major contributors. Some volunteers refused to continue doing unpaid work for what they viewed as a commercial entity. Blue Flame Labs acquired the site on the 18th of December 2013 under owner Jeremiah Freyholtz. Freyholtz ran the company alongside Simon Carless, who organized the Independent Games Festival. 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.
The controversial interface update arrived shortly after GameFly took ownership in 2010 and lasted until late 2013. Blue Flame Labs reverted the design back to its pre-overhaul look and feel once they acquired control. A complete backend rebuild followed the Atari investment starting in 2022 with new codebase development. Full-time developers replaced the previous part-time staff to handle the massive technical overhaul. Updates improved both mobile and desktop user interfaces over the following year. The financial boost from Atari allowed the team to invest heavily in infrastructure rather than maintaining minimal operations. This shift enabled the creation of features that were previously impossible under the old system architecture. The redesign process involved rebuilding the entire site structure from scratch while preserving existing data integrity.
MobyGames began offering paid Pro memberships in 2024 to generate additional revenue streams. Before this change, the site generated income exclusively through banner advertisements displayed across pages. Patreon support started appearing in March 2014 but only attracted a small number of patrons initially. The introduction of paid tiers marked a significant departure from the original free-only model established in 1999. 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. Atari staff members also share responsibility for daily management alongside the internal coding team. The shift toward membership fees reflects broader trends in how niche databases sustain themselves financially today.
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Common questions
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.
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.