Difference between revisions of "About"

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'''As mentioned on:''' [http://www.gamerbytes.com/2008/08/eu_wiiware_update_maboshi_and.php GamerBytes], [http://www.insertcredit.com/archives/001744.html Insert Credit], [http://joglikescomics.blogspot.com/2008/11/yes-i-still-do-link-posts.html Jog: The Blog], [http://www.lostlevels.org/wordpress/2008/09/07/screenshots-road-rash-ii-for-the-game-gear/ Lost Levels]
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'''GDRI :: Game Developer Research Institute''', established on August 26, 2006, is a website dedicated to researching the companies and people that developed video games.
 
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'''Game Developer Research Institute''' (GDRI), officially established on August 26, 2006, is dedicated to finding out more information about the companies and the people that developed video games. Our specialty is researching contract developers that worked for larger publishers, but were usually not given proper credit.
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==History==
 
==History==
In 2005, [[User:CRV|CRV]] noticed the words "PROGRAMMED BY [[Sanritsu/SIMS|SIMS]] CO., LTD." shortly after booting up ''George Foreman's KO Boxing'' for the Sega Master System. He posted his findings on [http://www.smspower.org/ SMS Power], jumpstarting a whole investigative thread which uncovered many other games developed by SIMS. The success of this investigation begot more investigations, including ones of [[Aicom]] and games published by Pony Canyon, both of which led to some grueling discussion.
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In 2005, [http://www.smspower.org/ SMS Power] forums member [[User:CRV|CRV]] noticed the words "PROGRAMMED BY [[SIMS]] CO., LTD." shortly after booting up ''George Foreman's KO Boxing'' for the Sega Master System. This jumpstarted [http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6909 an investigative thread] that eventually uncovered many other games developed by that company. Investigations into [http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87370 Aicom] and [http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70535 games published by Pony Canyon] soon followed.
 
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As more development companies became discovered and more people became interested in helping, it no longer seemed practical to post only on message boards. CRV felt there should be one source for all of this information. [http://www.review-site.net/developer/ SIT Developer Table], a Japanese site with listings for a wide variety of game companies, provided the inspiration, but he wanted something more dynamic. The solution he found was in the form of a wiki.  
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CRV asked for web space from SMS Power webmaster Omar Cornut, which he was soon given. In August 2006, the wiki software was installed and work began immediately.
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As more development companies were discovered and more people became interested in helping, it no longer seemed practical to post only on message boards. One source for this information would be more convenient. [http://review-site.net/dt/index.php/メインページ Developer Table], a Japanese site with listings for a wide variety of game development companies, provided the inspiration. Because of its ease of use and ability to allow anyone to edit and contribute, a wiki appeared to be the best solution.  
  
Today, we have over 100 company entries and over a dozen [[Interviews|interviews]]. Thanks to our small group of [[#Contributors|contributors]], we are always growing and learning new things.
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In August 2006, the wiki software was installed and work began immediately. Today, GDRI has hundreds of company entries, individual profiles, and interviews.
  
 
==Research Methods==
 
==Research Methods==
:''Main article: [[Research Methods]]
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:''Main article: [[About:Research Methods]]
  
Read more about how GDRI determines the developer of a game by clicking the link above.
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Read more about how GDRI determines the developer of a game.
  
==Using GDRI==
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==Using the site==
 
===Viewing company entries===
 
===Viewing company entries===
All company entries follow the same basic format: background information, links to related interviews (if there are any), company logo (if available) at the top; game list in the middle; and links of interest at the bottom. However, there are some variations when it comes to disclosing what research methods were used to build our game lists.
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All company entries follow the same basic format: background information and company logo (if available) at the top, game list in the middle, and links of interest at the bottom. However, there are variations when it comes to disclosing what research methods were used to build our game lists.
  
 
'''Variation 1'''
 
'''Variation 1'''
  
 
Most entries use this variation, which is a straightfoward list at the top of the page that looks like this:
 
Most entries use this variation, which is a straightfoward list at the top of the page that looks like this:
:'''[[Research Methods]]:''' Code comparisons, interviews, online resources (see Links), shared credits
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:'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Code comparisons, interviews, online resources (see Links), shared staff
  
 
If you need a reminder of what each "research method" involves, click on '''Research Methods''' to read about them.
 
If you need a reminder of what each "research method" involves, click on '''Research Methods''' to read about them.
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*''Battle Baseball'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
 
*''Battle Baseball'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
:[[Credits:Battle Baseball|[Shared credits]]] [[ROM text:Minato Giken|[ROM text]]]
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:<small>Hidden data | Shared staff</small>
  
If a method listed has a link, you can click it to find out more. In the case of "[Shared credits]," you will be taken to a page containing the game's credits. Relevant staffers will be highlighted in yellow.
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If a method listed has a link, you can click it to find out more. In the case of "[Shared staff]," you will be taken to a page containing the game's credits. Relevant staff will be highlighted in yellow.
  
 
'''Reading game lists'''
 
'''Reading game lists'''
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*''Game Name'' (role) (Publishers)
 
*''Game Name'' (role) (Publishers)
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:<div style="color:red">Red means we think a company is involved OR we know a company is involved but are unsure to what extent</div>
 
:<small>Other companies involved in development</small>
 
:<small>Other companies involved in development</small>
 
:<div>Black means the company was the primary developer (or co-developer)</div>
 
:<div style="color:gray">Gray means the company provided support development (ex: [[EIM]] doing only music/sound on ''Casino Kid II'')</div>
 
:<div style="color:red">Red means we are unsure of the extent to which the company was involved</div>
 
  
 
===Editing===
 
===Editing===
Much of GDRI is editable by anyone who wishes to contribute, but we HIGHLY encourage you to [http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Special:Userlogin create an account]. If you choose to edit anything without being logged into an account, your IP address will be recorded and displayed publically in the edit history. Remember that anything you contribute may be altered or removed by someone else.
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Much of GDRI is editable by anyone who wishes to contribute. If you choose to edit anything without being logged into an account, your IP address will be recorded and displayed publicly in the edit history. Remember that anything you contribute may be altered or removed by someone else.
  
If you do not know how to edit a wiki page, please consult [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents Wikipedia's Help section]. We also recommend clicking on "Edit" in an entry that has already been started and looking at the formatting.
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Account creation is currently closed.
  
==Contributors==
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If you do not know how to edit a wiki page, please consult [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents Wikipedia's Help section]. We also recommend you click on "Edit" in an entry that has already been started and pay attention to the formatting.
'''[[User:CRV|CRV]]'''<br>
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Founder, system operator.
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'''[[User:Dimitri|Dimitri]]'''<br>
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Performs [[Research Methods#Code comparisons|code comparisons]] and translates credits.
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'''[[User:Idrougge|Idrougge]]'''<br>
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Contributes to entries and tries to contact Japanese game developers.
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'''Others:''' [[User:Hydr0x|Hydr0x]], [[User:Jarrod|Jarrod]], [[User:Jonny2x4|Jonny2x4]], [[User:Kaminari|Kaminari]], [[User:KungFuFurby|KungFuFurby]], [[User:Manjimaru|Manjimaru]], [[User:NeoZeedeater|NeoZeedeater]]
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==Contacting us==
 
==Contacting us==
Any questions, comments, or other feedback can be sent via e-mail to smsgenny at vgrebirth.org.
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Any questions, comments, or other feedback can be sent via [[Special:Contact|our contact form]].
  
You can often find us on IRC: popn.cjb.net #project2612
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You can also reach us through [http://twitter.com/gdri Twitter].
  
 
==Game developers==
 
==Game developers==
If you work/worked in the video game industry and have a story or information to share, please e-mail us at smsgenny at vgrebirth.org. Do, however, keep in mind the following conditions:
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If you work/worked in the video game industry and have a story or information you would like to share, please [[Special:Contact|contact us]]. Do, however, keep in mind the following conditions:
  
 
- If you name any specific game titles, we would like to be able to include them in our entries.
 
- If you name any specific game titles, we would like to be able to include them in our entries.
  
- We will keep anything "off the record" at your request, by which we mean we will not attribute a particular piece of information to you. We would rather you not share information with us that cannot be published on the site AT ALL. But if you must, we will abide by your request, but we cannot guarantee that up to and including all three "head" contributors (CRV, Dimitri, Idrougge) will not see what you have written.
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- We will keep anything "off the record" at your request, by which we mean we will not attribute a particular piece of information to you. We would rather you not share information with us that cannot be published on the site AT ALL. But if you must, we will abide by your request, but we cannot guarantee that other contributors will not be privy to this information.
  
 
These same conditions apply to interviews that we initiate.
 
These same conditions apply to interviews that we initiate.
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Right-click and save. Do not hotlink directly to it.
 
Right-click and save. Do not hotlink directly to it.
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==Legal==
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Read our site terms and conditions, privacy policy, and more [[Legal|here]].

Revision as of 01:04, 29 June 2022

GDRI :: Game Developer Research Institute, established on August 26, 2006, is a website dedicated to researching the companies and people that developed video games.

History

In 2005, SMS Power forums member CRV noticed the words "PROGRAMMED BY SIMS CO., LTD." shortly after booting up George Foreman's KO Boxing for the Sega Master System. This jumpstarted an investigative thread that eventually uncovered many other games developed by that company. Investigations into Aicom and games published by Pony Canyon soon followed.

As more development companies were discovered and more people became interested in helping, it no longer seemed practical to post only on message boards. One source for this information would be more convenient. Developer Table, a Japanese site with listings for a wide variety of game development companies, provided the inspiration. Because of its ease of use and ability to allow anyone to edit and contribute, a wiki appeared to be the best solution.

In August 2006, the wiki software was installed and work began immediately. Today, GDRI has hundreds of company entries, individual profiles, and interviews.

Research Methods

Main article: About:Research Methods

Read more about how GDRI determines the developer of a game.

Using the site

Viewing company entries

All company entries follow the same basic format: background information and company logo (if available) at the top, game list in the middle, and links of interest at the bottom. However, there are variations when it comes to disclosing what research methods were used to build our game lists.

Variation 1

Most entries use this variation, which is a straightfoward list at the top of the page that looks like this:

Research Methods: Code comparisons, interviews, online resources (see Links), shared staff

If you need a reminder of what each "research method" involves, click on Research Methods to read about them.

Variation 2

This variation is more specific and more time-consuming to put together, so it will only be used with a select few companies. Instead of one general list, each individual game will have listed the methods used to figure out the developer. For example:

  • Battle Baseball (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
Hidden data | Shared staff

If a method listed has a link, you can click it to find out more. In the case of "[Shared staff]," you will be taken to a page containing the game's credits. Relevant staff will be highlighted in yellow.

Reading game lists

Games are listed by platform.

  • Game Name (role) (Publishers)
Red means we think a company is involved OR we know a company is involved but are unsure to what extent
Other companies involved in development

Editing

Much of GDRI is editable by anyone who wishes to contribute. If you choose to edit anything without being logged into an account, your IP address will be recorded and displayed publicly in the edit history. Remember that anything you contribute may be altered or removed by someone else.

Account creation is currently closed.

If you do not know how to edit a wiki page, please consult Wikipedia's Help section. We also recommend you click on "Edit" in an entry that has already been started and pay attention to the formatting.

Contacting us

Any questions, comments, or other feedback can be sent via our contact form.

You can also reach us through Twitter.

Game developers

If you work/worked in the video game industry and have a story or information you would like to share, please contact us. Do, however, keep in mind the following conditions:

- If you name any specific game titles, we would like to be able to include them in our entries.

- We will keep anything "off the record" at your request, by which we mean we will not attribute a particular piece of information to you. We would rather you not share information with us that cannot be published on the site AT ALL. But if you must, we will abide by your request, but we cannot guarantee that other contributors will not be privy to this information.

These same conditions apply to interviews that we initiate.

Press/media

Members of the press/media may use the following logo:

GDRI logo

Right-click and save. Do not hotlink directly to it.

Legal

Read our site terms and conditions, privacy policy, and more here.