Asobo, known today as the Microsoft Flight Simulator developer, created groundbreaking technology for large scale maps that was intended to be used in a high quality rally raid title. It was never released and ended up as FUEL, a post-apocalyptic open-world racing game. What happened?
RSC contains a database of 153 developers, 468 software titles, 374 cars, 42 bikes, 242 tracks and more...Originally working in military simulator design, this Michigan-based studio developed Zone Raiders for Virgin Interactive before moving to Electronic Arts for publishing their second PC title, Sports Car GT, when Westwood Studios (their SCGT development partner) was acquired by the software giant.
Known primarily for their mod-friendly SCGT and rFactor racing platforms, ISI also developed Formula One and NASCAR titles on PC for Electronic Arts, but perhaps their lasting contribution to the genre was the licensing of the isiMotor engine that allowed studios such as 2Pez, Blimey! Games, KW Studios, Motorsport Games, Reiza Studios, SIMBIN Studios, Slightly Mad Studios, The Sim Factory, Tiburon and rFactor 2‘s ongoing developer Studio 397 to begin with or release on an evolution of their software.
Another fork of the isiMotor engine, rFpro, continues to be developed and is used by a wide array of automotive companies for both road and motorsport simulation.
RSC Podcast Episode 7 – Management Simulations, F1 Managers, Always Used To Be Better?Join Jon Denton, Tim Wheatley, Simon Croft and guest(s) as they discuss sim racing and racing games past, present and future.
RSC contains a database of news items. Our #OnThisDay page shows current day and current week of years past...
RSC contains a database of videos back to the 1980s catalogued as intros, laps, trailers, unboxings and more...
RSC contains a database of emulated software you can play in your browser...
As recent rumors suggested, Papyrus no longer exist. In an article at CNN.com there is confirmation among the massive cuts today that these “…job cuts follow the May shutdown of a pair of longtime development studios. Papyrus Studios (makers of the company’s “NASCAR” games for years)…”
Vivendi slashes gaming division
Media company lays off 350, shutters studios, cancels line of Hoyle games
June 21, 2004: 5:29 PM EDT
By Chris Morris, CNN/Money staff writerNEW YORK (CNN/Money) The ongoing restructuring at Vivendi Universal Games has claimed the jobs of 350 employees – nearly 40 percent of its U.S. workforce – as the French media company shut down its third division in two months.
The company on Monday informed workers at its Bellevue, Wash. studios that the office would close within two months. In addition to the layoffs, the shutdown will result in the cancellation of card and puzzle video games based on the Hoyle license, one unannounced title and the “Print Artist” line of card, banner and stationary creation software.
Blizzard Entertainment, VU Games’ top earning developer, was not affected by the restructuring. Separately, however, the developer did announce plans to delay its upcoming console title “Starcraft: Ghost”. Though no specific date was given, it is unlikely “Ghost” will be released in 2004.
The job cuts follow the May shutdown of a pair of longtime development studios. Papyrus Studios (makers of the company’s “NASCAR” games for years) and Impressions Games (makers of strategy titles, such as “Zeus”, “Cleopatra” and “Lords of the Realm III”) both had solid track records in the industry but were closed last month because they had not been living up to corporate expectations. The job cuts associated with those closings were folded into Monday’s number, said a VU Games spokesperson.
The Hoyle games, while often scorned by gaming enthusiasts, were quite popular with the casual audience. The franchise moved beyond traditional and casino card games to include puzzle, table and chess titles.
For the past year, the gaming division has been somewhat up in the air, with Vivendi (V: Research, Estimates) actively looking for a buyer. It recently decided to retain the division, making dramatic senior management changes. Still, VU Games lost $250 million in 2003, chiefly due to what president Phil O’Neil referred to as “low-quality products.”
The closing of the Bellevue offices mark the end of an era in the gaming world. In the early 90s, those offices were the home to one of the industry’s pioneering publishers. Going under the name Sierra, developers in Bellevue created and sold top-selling franchises, such as “Kings Quest” and “Leisure Suit Larry”. In 1996, the company was sold to CUC International, the first of a string of owners.
Despite the closing, VU Games still plans to use the Sierra name, much like Infogrames Entertainment changed its name to Atari (ATAR: Research, Estimates) in 2003 to capitalize on its name recognition value.
