Company:Underground Development

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Short description: American video game developer
Underground Development, Ltd.
FormerlyZ-Axis, Ltd. (1994–2008)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FateDissolved
Founded1994; 30 years ago (1994) in San Mateo, California, U.S.
FounderDavid Luntz
DefunctFebruary 12, 2010 (2010-02-12)
Headquarters
Foster City, California
,
U.S.
Number of employees
<45 (2008)
ParentActivision (2002–2010)

Underground Development, Ltd. (formerly Z-Axis, Ltd.) was an American video game developer based in Foster City, California. The company was founded in 1994 by David Luntz and sold to Activision in May 2002. Following a rebranding to Underground Development in February 2008, the company was closed in February 2010.

History

Z-Axis was founded by David Luntz in 1994,[1] originally located in San Mateo, California.[2] On May 22, 2002, Activision announced that they had acquired Z-Axis in exchange for a payment of US$20.5 million in cash and stock, and up to 93,446 additional shares in Activision linked to the studio's performance.[3][4] At the time, the studio was located in Hayward, California.[3] In February 2008, Z-Axis was rebranded as Underground Development.[5][6]

Activision reported in April 2008 that they were closing Underground Development, which had the time had under 45 employees in a Foster City, California office, at the end of the coming May.[7][8][9] The studio was fully closed on February 12, 2010.[10][11]

Games developed as Z-Axis

Games developed as Underground Development

References

  1. Nutt, Christian (January 4, 2008). "Q&A: Nunchuck Games' Luntz On Testing His Ninja Reflex". https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/107632/QA_Nunchuck_Games_Luntz_On_Testing_His_Ninja_Reflex.php. 
  2. IGN Staff (February 18, 1998). "Z-Axis Dunks High". http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/02/19/z-axis-dunks-high. 
  3. Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 "Activision Acquires Dave Mirra Developer, Z-Axis". May 22, 2002. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/92243/Activision_Acquires_Dave_Mirra_Developer_ZAxis.php. 
  4. "Activision goes straight up". June 3, 2002. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_46084. 
  5. "Z-Axis renamed to Underground Development - VG247". February 14, 2008. https://www.vg247.com/2008/02/14/z-axis-renamed-to-underground-development/. 
  6. Activision rebrands one of its internal studios. February 18, 2008. https://www.mcvuk.com/development/activision-rebrands-one-of-its-internal-studios. Retrieved August 11, 2018. 
  7. "Activision confirms Underground closure". April 19, 2008. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/activision-confirms-underground-closure. 
  8. Activision closing Underground Developments?. April 18, 2008. https://www.mcvuk.com/development/activision-closing-underground-developments. Retrieved August 11, 2018. 
  9. "Activision closes Underground Development studio". https://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/activision-closes-underground-development-studio/. 
  10. Plunkett, Luke (February 12, 2010). "Activision Shutters Guitar Hero Creators, GH: Van Halen Developers [Update"]. https://kotaku.com/5470149/activision-shutters-guitar-hero-creators-gh-van-halen-developers-update. 
  11. "Activision shuts down RedOctane, Underground Development". https://www.engadget.com/2010/02/12/activision-shuts-down-redoctane-underground-development/. 
  12. "What Was Call of Duty: Devil's Brigade?". May 14, 2010. https://kotaku.com/what-was-call-of-duty-devils-brigade-5539160.