Company:Beenox

From HandWiki
Beenox Inc.
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedMay 2000; 25 years ago (2000-05)
FounderDominique Brown
HeadquartersQuebec City, Canada
Number of locations
2 (2024)
Key people
Nour Polloni (studio head)[1]
Number of employees
~300
ParentActivision (2005–present)
DivisionsBeenox Montreal
Websitebeenox.com

Beenox Inc. is a Canadian video game developer established in 2000 in Quebec City. The studio became a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision on May 25, 2005.[2]

History

Beenox was founded by Dominique Brown in May 2000 to develop games for Apple Computer's Mac. He recruited four colleagues from his former employer MegaToon.[3] The studio's name was based on a random word he wrote in a notebook in chemistry class when brainstorming company names that contained an "X".[4] It focused on game conversion to Mac in 2003, due to "cash flow problems".[5][6] The company was acquired by Activision in May 2005.

In 2007, they returned to original game development with the console versions of Bee Movie Game,[7][8] inspired by the feature film from DreamWorks Animation. As part of Activision's E3 2007 media blitz, it was announced that Beenox was the developer behind the Windows version of Activision's Spider-Man game Software:Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, which was released in October 2007.[9] They released the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii and Windows versions of Monsters vs. Aliens and the console versions of Guitar Hero Smash Hits. Beenox later developed the Spider-Man games Software:Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions,[10] Software:Spider-Man: Edge of Time,[11] The Amazing Spider-Man,[12] and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.[13]

After founder Dominique Brown's departure in December 2012,[14] the studio's focus shifted from leading original game development to doing a number of support tasks on Activision's superbrands Skylanders and Call of Duty. In 2015, Beenox worked in conjunction with Mercenary Technology on bringing Software:Call of Duty: Black Ops III to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[15]

In March 2022, Beenox announced that it would open a second office in Montreal, Quebec, led by Nour Polloni, increasing its staff count by 20%.[16]

Games developed

Year Game Platform(s) Notes Ref.
2001 Pillars of Garendall Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Co-developed with Ambrosia Software
[17]
2007 Bee Movie Game Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 N/A
[8]
2009 Monsters vs. Aliens Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
[18]
Guitar Hero Smash Hits PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
[19]
2010 Software:Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
[10]
2011 Software:Spider-Man: Edge of Time Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
[11]
2012 The Amazing Spider-Man Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360
[12]
2013 Software:Skylanders: Swap Force PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One Co-developed with Vicarious Visions
[20]
2014 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One N/A
[13]
Software:Skylanders: Trap Team Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One Co-developed with Toys for Bob
[21]
2015 Software:Skylanders: SuperChargers iOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One Co-developed with Vicarious Visions
Skylanders: SuperChargers Racing Nintendo 3DS, Wii N/A
2016 Software:Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Additional work
2017 Software:Call of Duty: WWII
2018 Software:Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
2019 Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One N/A
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Additional work
2020 Software:Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered N/A
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Additional work
[22]
Software:Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time Additional work
[23]
Software:Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Additional work
[24]
2021 Software:Call of Duty: Vanguard
2022 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Additional content development support
[25]
Software:Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 Additional content development support
[25]
2023 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Addititional work
[26]
2024 Software:Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile iOS, Android Co-developed with Digital Legends Entertainment, Activision Shanghai Studio, Demonware, and Solid State Studios
[27]
Software:Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Additional work; led the game's Windows version
[28]
2025 Software:Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Microsoft Windows Led the game's Windows version
[29]

Ports

Year Game Platform(s) Ref.
2003 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Mac OS X
[30]
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
[31]
Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer
[5]
Wakeboarding Unleashed Featuring Shaun Murray
[32]
Software:Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness Mac OS X
[33]
2004 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
[34]
Homeworld 2
[35]
Railroad Tycoon 3
[36]
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Microsoft Windows
[37]
Software:Pitfall: The Lost Expedition
The Incredibles Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
[38]
Shrek 2: Team Action Microsoft Windows
MTX Mototrax Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
[39]
2005 Tony Hawk's Underground Microsoft Windows
Madagascar
Fantastic Four
[40]
Star Wars: Battlefront Mac OS X
[41]
Software:X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Microsoft Windows
[42]
Ultimate Spider-Man
Software:Myst V: End of Ages Mac OS X
[43]
Software:Evil Dead: Regeneration Microsoft Windows
Software:The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Gun Microsoft Windows
MX vs. ATV Unleashed
2006 Over the Hedge
Software:X-Men: The Official Game
Cars Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Software:Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Microsoft Windows
2007 Spider-Man 3
Software:Spider-Man: Friend or Foe
[9]
2008 Kung Fu Panda Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
007: Quantum of Solace Microsoft Windows, Wii
[44]
2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Microsoft Windows
[45]
2015 Software:Call of Duty: Black Ops III[lower-alpha 1] PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
[15]

Cancelled


Notes

  1. ↑ Co-developed with Mercenary Technology

References

  1. ↑ Mattone, Mattone (27 October 2020). "Beenox Celebrates 20th Anniversary" (in en). https://blog.activision.com/activision/2020-10/Beenox-Celebrates-20th-Anniversary. 
  2. ↑ "Activision Establishes Development Foothold in Quebec With Acquisition of Beenox". May 25, 2005. http://investor.activision.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=164348. 
  3. ↑ Décarie, Jean-Philippe (2012-02-25). "Dominique Brown: il rêve toujours de conquérir le monde" (in fr-CA). La Presse. https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/201202/24/01-4499553-dominique-brown-il-reve-toujours-de-conquerir-le-monde.php. 
  4. ↑ Hinkle, David (2011-04-27). "What's In A Name: Beenox" (in en-US). https://www.engadget.com/2011-04-26-whats-in-a-name-beenox.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cohen, Peter (May 15, 2003). "E3: Beenox talks Mac game ports, original development". https://www.macworld.com/article/1024358/beenox.html. 
  6. ↑ "Featured Studio Of The Month" (in english). Official AUS Playstation Magazine (Derwent Howard Publishing) (67): 94. April 2012. http://archive.org/details/Official_AUS_Playstation_Magazine_Issue_067_2012_04_Derwent_Howard_Publishing_AU. 
  7. ↑ Martin, Matt (2008-01-03). "Activision's Beenox to create more original titles" (in en). https://www.gamesindustry.biz/activisions-beenox-to-create-more-original-titles. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hayward, Andrew (6 November 2007). "Bee Movie Game review". https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/bee-movie-game-10/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "'Spider-Man: Friend or Foe' Coming To PCs". TotalGaming.net. July 12, 2007. http://tgnforums.stardock.com/?forumid=141&aid=157503. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions". https://www.ign.com/games/spider-man-shattered-dimensions. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Krupa, Daniel (2011-10-06). "Spider-Man: Edge of Time Review" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/06/spider-man-edge-of-time-review. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "The Amazing Spider-Man" (in en). https://www.ign.com/games/the-amazing-spider-man. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Rudden, Dave (2014-05-01). "The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Game Review" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/01/the-amazing-spider-man-2-game-review. 
  14. ↑ Tach, Dave (December 14, 2012). "Beenox founder leaves studio, two employees rise in the ranks". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2012/12/14/3767352/beenox-founder-leaves. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Sarkar, Samit (25 September 2015). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 won't have a campaign on PS3 and Xbox 360". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/25/9397629/call-of-duty-black-ops-3-no-campaign-ps3-xbox-360. 
  16. ↑ Partis, Danielle (29 March 2022). "Beenox to open new studio in Montreal". Gamesindustry.biz. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-03-29-beenox-to-open-new-studio-in-montreal. 
  17. ↑ Cook, Brad. "Like Manna: Games from Ambrosia Software on Mac OS X". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on March 24, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080324143401/http://www.apple.com/games/articles/2002/02/ambrosia/. Retrieved September 27, 2015. 
  18. ↑ "DreamWorks Monsters vs. Aliens details" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/dreamworks-monsters-vs-aliens/details/. 
  19. ↑ "Guitar Hero: Smash Hits". http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/guitarherosmashhits?q=smash%20hits. 
  20. ↑ "Skylanders Swap Force" (in en). https://www.ign.com/games/skylanders-swap-force. 
  21. ↑ Fahey, Mike (October 5, 2014). "Skylanders: Trap Team: The Kotaku Review" (in en-US). https://kotaku.com/skylanders-trap-team-the-kotaku-review-1641162189. 
  22. ↑ Beenox [@BeenoxTeam] (May 12, 2020). "#THPS is finally back! Congratulations to Vicarious Visions for announcing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2, happy to be a part of the supporting team on the game. Star-struckSparkles". https://twitter.com/BeenoxTeam/status/1260313589811945474. 
  23. ↑ Beenox [@BeenoxTeam] (June 22, 2020). "Congratulations to @ToysForBob for announcing Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, happy to be part of the supporting team!". https://twitter.com/BeenoxTeam/status/1275085586739736577. 
  24. ↑ Bhat, Keshav (26 August 2020). "Black Ops Cold War development team includes multiple Activision studios" (in en-US). https://charlieintel.com/black-ops-cold-war-development-team-includes-multiple-activision-studios/62167/. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "It’s Anyone’s Game in Season 03 of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® II and Call of Duty®: Warzone™ 2.0, Launching April 12". April 6, 2023. https://www.callofduty.com/uk/en/blog/2023/04/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-II-warzone-2-0-season-03-multiplayer-maps-battle-pass. 
  26. ↑ CharlieIntel [@charlieINTEL]. "MW3's Battle net page confirms that along with Sledgehammer Games, Treyarch, Infinity Ward, Beenox, Raven, High Moon, and demonware are also working on the game.". https://twitter.com/charlieINTEL/status/1690363385005613057.  Missing or empty |date= (help)
  27. ↑ "Call of Duty: Next: Announcing Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, Redefining Battle Royale for Gamers on the Go". 15 September 2022. https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2022/09/call-of-duty-warzone-mobile-battle-royale-free-to-play-rewards. 
  28. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (June 9, 2024). "Black Ops 6’s New ‘Omnimovement’ Turns Call of Duty Into Max Payne" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/black-ops-6s-new-omnimovement-turns-call-of-duty-into-max-payne. 
  29. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (August 20, 2025). "Call Of Duty Dev Explains How We're Getting New Black Ops Games In Consecutive Years" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-dev-explains-how-were-getting-new-black-ops-games-in-consecutive-years/1100-6534117/. 
  30. ↑ Cohen, Peter (October 23, 2002). "Aspyr announces Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/1007591/tonyhawk.html. 
  31. ↑ Cohen, Peter (July 29, 2003). "Aspyr: Tony Hawk 4 now in duplication". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/1025741/tony.html. 
  32. ↑ Cohen, Peter (December 22, 2003). "Aspyr ships Wakeboarding Unleashed for Mac, PC". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/1028724/wakeboarding.html. 
  33. ↑ Cohen, Peter (December 18, 2003). "Aspyr releases new Tomb Raider game". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/1028673/tomb.html. 
  34. ↑ Cohen, Peter (December 17, 2003). "Aspyr: Return of the King is Mac-bound". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/1028626/return.html. 
  35. ↑ Cohen, Peter (April 25, 2004). "Aspyr to make Homeworld 2 for Mac". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/1031525/homeworld2.html. 
  36. ↑ Cohen, Peter (September 1, 2004). "MacSoft: Railroad Tycoon 3 ships Sept. 13". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/1038738/rrt3.html. 
  37. ↑ "GameSpy: Tony Hawk's Underground 2 - Page 3". http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/tony-hawks-underground-2-world-destruction-tour/556251p3.html. 
  38. ↑ Cohen, Peter (October 31, 2004). "‘The Incredibles’ games ship" (in en). https://www.macworld.com/article/173070/incredibles.html. 
  39. ↑ Cohen, Peter (July 27, 2004). "Aspyr to publish MTX: Mototrax for Mac and PC" (in en). https://www.macworld.com/article/171692/mototrax.html. 
  40. ↑ Surette, Tim (April 15, 2005). "Activision's rockin' Fantastic Four" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activisions-rockin-fantastic-four/1100-6122316/. 
  41. ↑ "Aspyr Media, Inc. Ships Star Wars Battlefront(TM) For Macintosh". Business Wire. July 19, 2005. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20050719005088/en/Aspyr-Media-Ships-Star-Wars-Battlefront-TM. 
  42. ↑ "Marvel and Activision's X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Ships for the Psp(TM) (Playstation(R) Portable) System". Activision Blizzard. October 19, 2005. https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/marvel-and-activisions-x-men-legends-ii-rise-apocalypse-ships. 
  43. ↑ Cohen, Peter (February 24, 2005). "Myst V Mac conversion heading from Beenox". Macworld. https://www.macworld.com/article/1043104/beenox.html. 
  44. ↑ Torres, Ricardo (July 2, 2008). "James Bond: Quantum of Solace First Look" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/james-bond-quantum-of-solace-first-look/1100-6193300/. 
  45. ↑ Meer, Alec (April 15, 2009). "Could Transformers 2 Be Not-Horrible?" (in en). Rock, Paper, Shotgun. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/dreams-of-a-fool-could-transformers-2-be-not-horrible. 
  46. ↑ "Beenox Announces VATZ" (in en-US). 4 May 2012. https://www.gamezone.com/news/beenox_announces_vatz/. 
  47. ↑ Williams, Leah J. (20 September 2021). "Hidden Palace Just Dropped Over 500 Unreleased Game Prototypes" (in en-AU). https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/09/hidden-palace-unrelease-xbox-dreamcast-game-prototypes/. 
  48. ↑ Teixeira, Miri (20 September 2021). "Hundreds of prototype Xbox and Dreamcast games uploaded by Project Deluge" (in en-GB). https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/hundreds-of-prototype-xbox-and-dreamcast-games-uploaded-by-project-deluge-3050030. 



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