Giant Bomb News

Giant Bomb API Now Available

Develop your own applications that pull things out of the Giant Bomb database with our handy framework.

Have you ever wanted to sink your hooks into a gaming database full of release dates, artwork, games, platforms, and other sorts of related data? I'm going to guess that, for the bulk of you, the answer's probably no.

But if you're out there wondering what to do next with your developer-savvy smarts, you've got another big source to pull data from. The Giant Bomb API is now available for non-commercial use.

What does this mean? It means you can write an application (say, for your iPhone or something) that has full access to our data. Then you could take that data and mash it against a database of local game retailers or something? Or maybe you want to mash our character data against Comic Vine's character data for a huge list of cross-media dudes? Or maybe you want to pull a list of game credits for a set of fan shrines for your favorite developers? OK, those aren't all great idea. But that's part of why we're opening this stuff up to everyone. We're sure that some of you probably have some pretty great ideas, but lack the database required to get going.

Bang. Zap. Pow. Now you've got a database.

The key things to know are that we're offering this data in XML and JSON formats. And it doesn't offer any data specific to our userbase--your privacy as a user of this site is still completely intact. And if you're planning on using it for commercial purposes, you really need to get in touch with us beforehand.

For more information, the full terms of use, and to get your API key, check out api.giantbomb.com. If you're working with our API and are looking for some community support, check out our board for devs.

(And if none of this made any sense to you at all, feel free to go about your business and forget we ever said anything.)
mubresson Jan. 14, 2009 at 9:55 a.m.
*Performs hand passing over head motion*
p4ddym1607on Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:01 a.m.
Anyone know how to use this? I tried but dont know what I am doing.
Infneonon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
iPhone/iPod Touch app to access the database easily would make me love you long time
xionpunkon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:08 a.m.
mmmm... whiskey
Kintaroon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:09 a.m.
Wow, I wish I had an idea to use the database with right now.
Sephiroth9997on Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:12 a.m.
wat?
JohnDudebroon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:15 a.m.
I know the iPhone app is inevitable, but somebody should get on an Android app as well. Might as well cover our bases.
JediAutoboton Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:19 a.m.
Can't wait to see what people come up with.
wreckson Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:21 a.m.
groovy!
LordAndrewon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:22 a.m.
I'm gonna make eight iPhone apps and there ain't nothing you can do about it!
CitizenKane moderator on Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.
Awesome!  Now, if I only knew XML...
wardroxon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:38 a.m.
Well that's just all kinds of groovy. I'll get cracking on a Wordpress plug-in shall I?
Sparky_Buzzsawon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:42 a.m.
Very cool!  I might tinker with this and use it to enhance my own game tracking.
Driadonon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:42 a.m.
...So Facebook app coming soon?
dtran1212on Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:43 a.m.

i dreamed that one day GB would provide me with API for my iPhone, THANK YOU GOD!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN FINALLY DIE HAPPY!!

Duffyon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:47 a.m.
It's an application programmer interface, I used one last year for java. It shows you all the methods/functions, classes and libraries you can use in a certain language. Or I suppose in this case Giant Bomb's data base. I'm not sure how one would work in this case I've only ever used the java one. I'd love to give it ago though.
DiGiTaL_SiNon Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:50 a.m.
YAY for API! I'm swamped at work right now, but I'll defiantly check it out and see what I can do.
lamegame621on Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:51 a.m.
does'nt make sense to me...moving along...
TripMasterMunkyon Jan. 14, 2009 at 11 a.m.
So I assume this is useless to people who don't have iphones...
Fergon Jan. 14, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
If there's a desire for it, I'd be willing to build an Android application to fetch reviews and such.
38 Studios Unveils its First Look at Project Copernicus

In the wake of the studio's recent financial drama, the studio finally opens the door on its long-awaited MMO.

Diablo III Sells 3.5 Million Copies In its First Day Alone

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is now the fastest-selling PC game of all time.

Wii U’s Controller May Have Seen Some Changes

No more Circle Pad-style analog sticks, and some swapped button placement.

Johann Sebastian Joust Is Latest iOS Cloning Victim

Studio behind awfully similar game for iOS claims an agreement was in place.

And Now Aliens: Colonial Marines Won't Be Coming Out This Year, Either

Gearbox's Aliens side-story slips to February.

38 Studios Pays its $1.125 Million Debt, Will Receive No Additional Funds from State

Oh, and the governor of Rhode Island just tossed out a release date for "Copernicus."

Activision Lawsuit Has Details on Bungie’s Next Game

First game scheduled for Xbox 360, sequels on unannounced platforms.

Worth Reading: 05/18/2012

You have 20 seconds to click on this article and discover what games you might have missed and what stories passed you by.

38 Studios Unveils its First Look at Project Copernicus

In the wake of the studio's recent financial drama, the studio finally opens the door on its long-awaited MMO.

Diablo III Sells 3.5 Million Copies In its First Day Alone

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is now the fastest-selling PC game of all time.

Wii U’s Controller May Have Seen Some Changes

No more Circle Pad-style analog sticks, and some swapped button placement.

Johann Sebastian Joust Is Latest iOS Cloning Victim

Studio behind awfully similar game for iOS claims an agreement was in place.

38 Studios Pays its $1.125 Million Debt, Will Receive No Additional Funds from State

Oh, and the governor of Rhode Island just tossed out a release date for "Copernicus."

And Now Aliens: Colonial Marines Won't Be Coming Out This Year, Either

Gearbox's Aliens side-story slips to February.

Activision Lawsuit Has Details on Bungie’s Next Game

First game scheduled for Xbox 360, sequels on unannounced platforms.

Worth Reading: 05/18/2012

You have 20 seconds to click on this article and discover what games you might have missed and what stories passed you by.

Submissions can take several hours to be approved.

Save ChangesCancel