Company:Kutoka Interactive

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Short description: Educational software company
Kutoka Interactive
TypePrivate-owed company
IndustryCD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs
DefunctSeptember 2017
Headquarters
Montreal , Quebec
,
Canada
Websitewww.kutoka.com

Kutoka Interactive was an educational software company founded in Montreal , Quebec, in 1995.[1] The company produced, developed, and distributed both subject-based and grade-based video games for Windows and Macintosh from 1996 to 2017. They were most famous for their Mia games.

Background

Founded in Montreal in 1995, Kutoka started developing multimedia CD-ROM titles for third-party publishers.[2] Some of the company's biggest clients included Fisher-Price, Corel, and Compaq.

In 1998, Kutoka launched its first self-published title Mia's Reading Adventure: The Search for Grandma's Remedy, assuming complete responsibility for product development, publishing, and distribution.[1]

In March 2009, Kutoka's products were sold through licensees in 42 countries, in 14 languages.[3]

In 2017, Kutoka decided to shut down their operations after 22 years of service. There was no bankruptcy. The company transferred its assets and IP to Zoki S.E.N.C.[4] An open letter from the company's remaining employees was posted to Kutoka's website, which gave thanks to their supporters and shareholders. The website's former page web has been archived by the Wayback Machine at the request of Kutoka.[5] and is also available via a link in the message on the home page.

Products

Mia

Cartoon series

In 2010[7] Radio Canada and Sardine Productions began developing a 26-episode cartoon series based on the games. The series was broadcasting on the Toonavision channel as of December 2019.[8]

Didi & Ditto

  • In the Didi & Ditto collection:
    • Didi & Ditto Preschool: Mother Nature's Visit
    • Didi & Ditto First Grade: The Wolf King
    • Didi & Ditto Kindergarten: A Feast for Zolt

Others

  • In the EazySpeak collection:
    • EazySpeak French
    • EazySpeak Spanish
  • In Gameware Development's Creatures collection:
    • Creatures Village
    • Creatures Exodus
  • For Game Factory
    • Miss Spider: Scavenger Hunt[9]

Awards

  • 2003 United Nations World Summit Award for the Mia series[10] (Geneva)
  • 2003 Dr. Toy's Outstanding Toy Manufacturer Recognition of Excellence Award (San Francisco)
  • 2002 SODEC Award of Excellence in exports[11] (Montreal )
  • 1999 Octas Award of Excellence[12] (Montreal )

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 "About Kutoka", Kutoka.com, retrieved 2009-07-28
  2. "Kutoka Interactive Inc., Montreal, Quebec". http://www.companylisting.ca/Kutoka_Interactive_Inc/default.aspx. 
  3. "Business Women in Trade: Success Stories: Entertainment that Educates", Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, 2009-07-13, retrieved 2009-07-28
  4. "Home". http://www.zoki.ca/. 
  5. kutoka.com
  6. "Mia Click & Create : Amazon.ca: Software". https://www.amazon.ca/Kutoka-Interactive-51209-Click-Create/dp/B0000DBYKI. 
  7. Vlessing, Etan (23 March 2010). "'Mia the mouse' heads for TV". The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mia-mouse-heads-tv-21895. 
  8. @ToonAVisionTV (20 December 2019). "There’s a new channel in town! Toon-A-Vision is a new kids and family friendly TV channel broadcasting nationally on Bell!". https://twitter.com/ToonAVisionTV/status/1208024106337099776.  (note: the logo is visible as one of the 9 advertised toons, found on the bottom right next to Little Princess)
  9. "Miss Spider's Scavenger Hunt", Game Vortex, retrieved 2009-07-28
  10. "Winners 2003 - The Mia Software Collection ", The World Summit Award, 2003, retrieved 2009-07-28
  11. "Prix SODEC d’excellence à l’exportation : et le gagnant est...", Le Lien MULTIMÉDIA, 2003-03-11, retrieved 2009-07-28
  12. "OCTAS de l'Excellence", Réseau ACTION TI, retrieved 2009-07-28

External links