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Shovelware
Shovelware is a type of video game or software bundle known more for the quantity of what is included than for its quality or usefulness. The metaphor implies that the creators showed little care for the quality of the original software, as if the new compilation or version had been created by indiscriminately adding titles "by the shovel" in the same way someone would shovel bulk material into a pile. The term "shovelware" is coined by semantic analogy to phrases like shareware and freeware, which describe methods of software distribution. It first appeared in the early 1990s when large amounts of shareware demo programs were copied onto CD-ROMs and advertised in magazines or sold at computer flea markets. Shovelware CD-ROMs ''Computer Gaming World'' wrote in 1990 that for "those who do not wish to wait" for software that used the new CD-ROM format, The Software Toolworks and Access Software planned to release "game packs of several classic titles". By 1993 the magazine refe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mastertronic Group
Mastertronic Group Limited was a software publisher formed as a result of a merger between The Producers and Sold Out Sales & Marketing in 2004. Frank Herman, one of the founders of the original Mastertronic and former chairman of Sega Europe, was involved in negotiations to buy back the name from Sega in 2003. Frank Herman died in 2009 and the company was run by MD Andy Payne and Garry Williams. Mastertronic Group licensed, published and distributed value PC software under the Sold Out, M.A.D. and PC Gamer Presents labels. They also owned the Everyone Can Play and Great Indie Games labels. Mastertronic closed in November 2015. History Mastertronic Group Limited was formed in 2004 out of a merger between The Producers Limited and Sold Out Sales & Marketing Limited. The 'Sold Out' label was retained and used to sell software at the £5 (frequently "3-for-£10") price-point. The company also distributed software under the original 'M.A.D.' imprint, as well as another label as ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Software Toolworks
The Software Toolworks, Inc. (commonly abbreviated as Toolworks), was an American software and video game developer based in Novato, California. The company was founded by Walt Bilofsky in 1980 out of his Sherman Oaks garage, which he converted into an office, to develop software for the Heathkit H89 microcomputer. It quickly expanded into video games, releasing ''Airport'' and ''MyChess'' in 1980; other notable games include '' Chessmaster 2000'', ''Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing'', and ''Mario Is Missing!''. Toolworks merged with its distributor, Software Country, in 1986 and, after going public in 1988, acquired IntelliCreations, DS Technologies, and Mindscape. By 1994, Toolworks employed 600 people and had a revenue of . In May that year, it was acquired by Pearson plc for , which converted it to bear the Mindscape identity by November. History Early years (1979–1982) The Software Toolworks was founded by programmer Walt Bilofsky, who, after studying at Cornell Univ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bundled Software
In marketing, product bundling is offering several products or services for sale as one combined product or service package. It is a common feature in many imperfectly competitive product and service markets. Industries engaged in the practice include telecommunications services, financial services, health care, information, and consumer electronics. A software bundle might include a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation program into a single office suite. The cable television industry often bundles many TV and movie channels into a single tier or package. The fast food industry combines separate food items into a " combo meal" or "value meal". A bundle of products may be called a package deal; in recorded music or video games, a compilation or box set; or in publishing, an anthology. Product bundling is most suitable for high volume and high margin (i.e., low marginal cost) products. Research by Yannis Bakos and Erik Brynjolfsson found that bundling was part ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anubis II
''Anubis II'' is a 2005 platform game by British developer Data Design Interactive. It was published by Conspiracy Entertainment in the United States for the Wii, PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows. ''Anubis II'' received negative reviews from critics for being a copy of '' Ninjabread Man'' due to its identical music, gameplay, level layout and glitches. Gameplay Set in ancient Egypt, the player controls Anubis, the guardian of the Underworld, in his quest to lift the curse of the pharaohs. The nunchuk controls Anubis while the Wii Remote swings the scepter of Ra and throws Canopic Bombs. Reception ''Anubis II'' received overwhelmingly negative reviews, and holds a rating of 19/100 on review aggregate site Metacritic. It received a 1.5/10 rating from ''GameSpot'' and a 2/10 rating from ''IGN ''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is loca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ninjabread Man
''Ninjabread Man'' is a 2005 platform video game by developer and publisher Data Design Interactive. The game was released on the PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows in Europe in July 2005. A port for the Wii was released in September 2007 in Europe and Australia, and on 3 October 2007 in North America. ''Ninjabread Man'' was later published as part of Data Design Interactive's 'Popcorn Arcade' brand of Wii games. Upon release, ''Ninjabread Man'' received universally negative reviews from critics and was criticized for its camera system, graphics, lack of story, short length, and controls; the Wii version received even lower reviews for its use of motion controls and has been listed as one of the worst games of all time. Gameplay ''Ninjabread Man'' is an action-adventure platformer. There are three levels in the game, plus a tutorial level. In order to proceed to the next level, players must collect eight power rods to activate a teleporter. The Ninjabread Man can attack enemi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
YouTube
YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in San Bruno, California, it is the second-most-visited website in the world, after Google Search. In January 2024, YouTube had more than 2.7billion monthly active users, who collectively watched more than one billion hours of videos every day. , videos were being uploaded to the platform at a rate of more than 500 hours of content per minute, and , there were approximately 14.8billion videos in total. On November 13, 2006, YouTube was purchased by Google for $1.65 billion (equivalent to $ billion in ). Google expanded YouTube's business model of generating revenue from advertisements alone, to offering paid content such as movies and exclusive content produced by and for YouTube. It also offers YouTube Premium, a paid subs ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mere Mortals
Established in 1999, Mere Mortals was a British video game developer based in Newcastle upon Tyne. It announced its withdrawal from games in 2010 and confirmed that decision the next year, intending to work with internet, television and film. In addition to its games, Mere Mortals contributed to three films by Danny Boyle: ''Sunshine (2007 film), Sunshine'', ''28 Weeks Later'' and ''Slumdog Millionaire''. Games References {{Authority control British companies established in 1999 Video game development companies Defunct video game companies of the United Kingdom Video game companies established in 1999 Companies based in Newcastle upon Tyne 1999 establishments in England Privately held companies of England ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mockbuster
A mockbuster (also known as knockbuster or drafting opportunity) is a film created to exploit the publicity of another major motion picture with a similar title or subject. Mockbusters are often made with a low budget and quick production to maximize profits. "Mockbuster" is a portmanteau of the words "mock" and "blockbuster". Criteria Unlike films produced to capitalize on the popularity of a recent release by adopting similar genre or storytelling elements, mockbusters are generally produced concurrently with upcoming films and released direct-to-video around the time the film they are inspired by is released. A mockbuster may be similar enough in title or packaging that consumers confuse it with the actual film it mimics; however, their producers maintain that they are simply offering additional products for consumers who want to watch more films in the same subgenres. History Mockbusters have a long history in Hollywood and elsewhere. For example, the 1959 Vanwick film '' The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nintendo DS
The is a foldable handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens working in tandem (the bottom of which is a touchscreen), a built-in microphone, and support for wireless network, wireless connectivity. Both screens are encompassed within a clamshell design similar to the Game Boy Advance SP. The Nintendo DS also features the ability for multiple DS consoles to directly interact with each other over Wi-Fi within a short range without the need to connect to an existing wireless network. Alternatively, they could interact online using the now-defunct Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Its main competitor was Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony's PlayStation Portable during the seventh generation of video game consoles. Prior to its release, the Nintendo DS was marketed as an experimental "third pillar" in Nin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October, in Europe on 24 November, in Australia on 30 November, and other regions thereafter. It is the successor to the PlayStation (console), original PlayStation, as well as the second instalment in the PlayStation brand of consoles. As a sixth generation of video game consoles, sixth-generation console, it competed with Nintendo's GameCube, Sega's Dreamcast, and Microsoft's Xbox (console), Xbox. Announced in 1999, Sony began developing the console after the immense success of its predecessor. In addition to serving as a game console, it features a built-in DVD drive and was priced competitively with standalone DVD players of the time, enhancing its value. Full backward compatibility with original PlayStation games and accessories gave it access to a vast launch libra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lassie (2005 Film)
''Lassie'' is a 2005 adventure comedy-drama film based on Eric Knight's 1940 novel '' Lassie Come-Home'' about the profound bond between Joe Carraclough and his rough collie, Lassie. The film was directed, written, and co-produced by Charles Sturridge and is a production of Samuel Goldwyn Films. The film stars Jonathan Mason and was distributed by Roadside Attractions and released in the UK on 16 December 2005. Filming took place in Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. The supporting cast features Peter O'Toole, Samantha Morton, Peter Dinklage, Edward Fox, and John Lynch. The film was generally reviewed positively by critics, but performed poorly at the box office. Plot Sam Carraclough, an out-of-work miner who struggles to earn enough to feed his family, reluctantly sells their Collie dog, Lassie, to the Duke of Rudling, whose granddaughter, Cilla, sees and likes her. Sam's young son, Joe, is left heartbroken. The Duke's servant, Hynes, scares Lassie, who keeps escapi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jumanji
''Jumanji'' is a 1995 American fantasy adventure film directed by Joe Johnston from a screenplay by Jonathan Hensleigh, Greg Taylor, and Jim Strain, based on the 1981 children's picture book by Chris Van Allsburg. The film is the first installment in the ''Jumanji'' film series and stars Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde, and Bebe Neuwirth. The story centers on a supernatural board game that releases jungle-based hazards on its players with every turn they take. ''Jumanji'' premiered on December 10, 1995 in Culver City, California, and went into general release on December 15. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office success, grossing $262.8 million worldwide on a budget of approximately $65 million. It was the tenth highest-grossing film of 1995. The film spawned an animated television series that aired from 1996 to 1999, and was followed by a spin-off film, '' Zathura: A Space Adventure'' (2005) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
