Company:Universal Interactive

From HandWiki
Universal Interactive, Inc.
FormerlyUniversal Interactive Studios, Inc. (1994–2001)
TypeDivision
IndustryVideo games
FateConsolidated
SuccessorVivendi Universal Games
FoundedJanuary 4, 1994; 32 years ago (1994-01-04)
Founders
  • Skip Paul
  • Robert Biniaz
Defunct2004; 22 years ago (2004)
Headquarters
Universal City, California
,
US
Parent
  • MCA Inc. (1994–1996)
  • Universal Studios, Inc. (1996–2000)
  • Vivendi Universal Games (2000–2004)

Universal Interactive, Inc., formerly Universal Interactive Studios, Inc. until 2001, was an American video game publisher and a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal Games (now Vivendi Games). It was established on January 4, 1994, by Skip Paul and Robert Biniaz as a subsidiary of MCA Inc., later Universal Studios, Inc., and was based in Universal City, California. It was best known for producing and later publishing the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro platform game franchises. Other key releases include The Grinch (2000) and Hulk (2003).

In 2000, Universal Studios merged with Vivendi, leading to Universal Interactive's integration into Vivendi Universal Games. Universal Interactive continued as a label until 2004, when Vivendi began divesting ownership of Universal Studios, retaining the newly renamed Vivendi Games.

History

Predecessors (1982–1993)

MCA, parent of Universal Pictures, initially licensed video games directly as merchandise. In 1982, MCA licensed its film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to Atari, securing a deal worth US$20–25 million after negotiations with Steven Spielberg and MCA president Sidney Sheinberg.[1][2][3][4] The agreement, finalized in late July 1982, pressured Atari to rush development under programmer Howard Scott Warshaw, who had just five weeks to create the Atari 2600 title ahead of the Christmas release tied to the film's success.[5][6] The resulting game was one of the biggest commercial failures in video game history, with Atari burying millions of unsold cartridges in a New Mexico landfill in 1983.[7]

In 1985, MCA acquired toy manufacturer LJN for about US$67.5 million, initially purchasing 63% in a stock exchange valued at US$39.8 million before completing the deal.[8] Under MCA's ownership, LJN expanded into video game publishing in 1987, with notable releases including Friday the 13th (1989) and Back to the Future (1989).[9] By 1990, amid financial losses at LJN, MCA announced the sale of the unit to Acclaim Entertainment for an undisclosed sum involving cash and stock, taking a US$30 million charge against earnings; this occurred shortly before Matsushita Electric (now Panasonic) acquired MCA itself in November 1990 for US$6.13 billion.[10] In early 1993, Matsushita partnered with The 3DO Company, with MCA/Universal committing as an equity investor and software provider for the 3DO platform, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show to explore multimedia entertainment.[11]

Universal Interactive Studios (1994–1999)

Universal Interactive Studios was founded on January 4, 1994 as a subsidiary of MCA, with Charles "Skip" Paul serving as executive vice president and head of the new division, and Robert Biniaz appointed as chief operating officer.[12][13] On February 10, MCA acquired a minority stake in Interplay Productions,[14] which would publish Disruptor outside of North America, and later enter into a distribution deal with successor Vivendi Universal Games.

The company's first titles in mid-1994 were Jurassic Park Interactive, developed by Studio 3DO and initially announced in 1993; and Way of the Warrior, developed by Naughty Dog.[15][16]

Universal contracted with Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games to develop games utilizing the facilities at Universal City, under vice president Mark Cerny. They respectively released Crash Bandicoot in 1996[17] and Spyro the Dragon in 1998,[18] under publishing arrangements with Sony Computer Entertainment.

Starting in 1995, with the purchase of MCA by Canadian beverage company Seagram, Universal Studios was reorganized. By 1998, the Interactive Studios division was brought under the Universal Studios New Media Group, led by Paul Rioux.[11] That year, Cerny resigned to launch Cerny Games, which continued to consult directly with Insomniac and Naughty Dog.

An in-house development unit, Universal Studios Digital Arts, was created to develop Xena: Warrior Princess.

By the end of 1999, UIS transitioned solely from the PlayStation to include PC and Dreamcast development as well, as well as planned support for next-generation systems.[19]

In July 2000, UIS announced one of their first PlayStation 2 projects, a tie-in to the then-upcoming The Mummy Returns, which would release near the time of the movie.[20]

Partnership with Konami

On December 16, 1999, Universal Interactive Studios and Konami announced a global strategic alliance. The deal would allow Konami to distribute and market titles from UIS that were based on existing Universal Studios properties, with franchises part of the deal including The Mummy, Universal Studios Monsters, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Woody Woodpecker.[19]

In January 2000, UIS and Konami officially announced that the first title under their new partnership would be the Dreamcast title Nightmare Creatures 2.[21]

The deal expanded further on April 27, allowing Konami to publish and market more titles.[22]

The four PlayStation titles released as part of this partnership were announced at E3 2000 by Konami: Woody Woodpecker Racing, The Grinch, The Mummy and Monster Force.

In September, the deal was expanded further to include three brand new next-gen titles: The Thing, a sequel to the 1982 movie of the same name for the Xbox,[23] as well as separate titles for the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance, a tie-in game to the then-upcoming Jurassic Park 3, and an upcoming Crash Bandicoot title.[24]

Vivendi merger (2000–2002)

In July 2000, Seagram merged Universal Studios with Vivendi.[25] After the merger closed, UIS was transitioned to Vivendi's Havas Interactive division and was eventually downgraded to a publishing label of the now-named Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing.[26] Titles that would be published under the name were primarily a mix of Spyro and Crash Bandicoot sequels and licensed titles based on other Universal IPs.

At UIS' first E3 under their new owners in 2001, the company signed an exclusive worldwide partnership with Microsoft to publish titles based on Bruce Lee exclusively for the Xbox, with the first being Software:Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon. No release window was announced for the title.[27] Other announced titles at the event included the first Spyro title for a non-PlayStation system: Software:Spyro: Season of Ice for the Game Boy Advance.[28] Previously announced titles The Mummy Returns[29] and Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex[30] were also showcased.

On August 13, UIS announced the first Crash Bandicoot title for a non-PlayStation system: Crash Bandicoot XS for the Game Boy Advance (later renamed to Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure for North America), and would be released for an early 2002 release window.[31]

Near the end of the year, Universal Interactive Studios' name was shortened to simply Universal Interactive.

On January 17, the company announced to publish two titles based on The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian[32] for the GameCube and Sword of Osiris for the Game Boy Advance. On January 31, an Xbox version of Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex was announced by the company for a Q1 2002 release window.[33]

During Vivendi Universal Games' first Game Faire on February 19, 2002, Universal Interactive showcased twelve titles:[34] which featured previously announced titles Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon (which was announced to be released within the third quarter of 2002), The Scorpion King: Sword of Osiris, The Thing, and both The Scorpion King titles (with a PS2 version announced)[35] and newly announced titles such as Jurassic Park: Project Genesis for a Q4 2002 window on the PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC, Spyro: Season of Flame for Game Boy Advance for Q3 2002, and Software:Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly for the PlayStation 2 for a Q4 2002 release,[36] and Monster Force for Game Boy Advance for Q3 2002.[37] The already-announced Lord of the Rings titles for the Xbox and Game Boy Advance were also transferred over from VU's Sierra Entertainment subsidiary to Universal.

Before E3 2002 on May 7, Universal Interactive announced a GameCube port of Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex for a Q3 2002 release.[38]

On June 11, Universal Interactive announced plans to publish titles based on The Hulk, with one for consoles and PCs, and another for the Game Boy Advance.[39] On July 9, the company's GameCube portfolio expanded with the announcements of a GCN port of Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly,[40] and the acquisition of 4x4 Evo 2 within an unknown time frame.[41] In August 2002, Vivendi Universal Games announced that The Thing and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring were transferred over from Universal Interactive to the newly formed Black Label Games label, which would be aimed for more mature titles.[42]

Near the summer, another Game Boy Advance Crash Bandicoot title was announced: Software:Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced.[43]

Under Vivendi Universal Games (2003–2006)

On January 28, a Bruce Lee title for the Game Boy Advance titled Software:Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend was announced.[44]

On April 24, Universal Interactive's parent company announced their plans for E3 2003, and announced several new titles to be released under the Universal Interactive label: Software:Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs for the Game Boy Advance,[45] Battlestar Galactica for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox,[46] Crash Nitro Kart for consoles and Game Boy Advance,[47] and The Fast and the Furious[48] for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox which ultimately never released.

By 2004, the Universal Interactive brand was effectively phased out, with publishing consolidated directly under Vivendi Universal Games, though the copyright persisted on select titles. Intellectual property management for flagship franchises like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro shifted to Sierra Entertainment, a Vivendi subsidiary.[49] On March 3, 2006, Vivendi Universal announced that, as a result of divesting Universal Studios to General Electric, it and several of its divisions, including Vivendi Universal Games, would cease using the "Universal" name and would simply become Vivendi, with Vivendi Universal Games becoming Vivendi Games.[50]

Games

Year Title Platforms Developers
1994 Jurassic Park Interactive 3DO Interactive Multiplayer Studio 3DO
Way of the Warrior Naughty Dog
1996 Crash Bandicoot PlayStation
Disruptor Insomniac Games
1997 Software:Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back Naughty Dog
1998 Spyro the Dragon Insomniac Games
Running Wild Blue Shift
Software:Crash Bandicoot: Warped Naughty Dog
1999 Xena: Warrior Princess Universal Studios Digital Arts
Software:Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! Insomniac Games
Crash Team Racing Naughty Dog
2000 Software:Spyro: Year of the Dragon Insomniac Games
Crash Bash Eurocom Entertainment Software
The Grinch PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, Windows Artificial Mind and Movement
Woody Woodpecker Racing PlayStation, Windows Syrox Developments
The Mummy PlayStation, Windows, Game Boy Color Rebellion Developments
Woody Woodpecker Racing Game Boy Color Konami
2001 The Mummy Returns PlayStation 2, Game Boy Color Blitz Games
Game Brains
Software:Spyro: Season of Ice Game Boy Advance Digital Eclipse
Software:Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox Traveller's Tales
Eurocom Entertainment Software
2002 Software:Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure Game Boy Advance Vicarious Visions
Software:The Scorpion King: Sword of Osiris WayForward Technologies
Software:Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon Xbox Ronin Entertainment
4x4 EVO 2 GameCube Terminal Reality
Software:The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian GameCube, PlayStation 2 Point of View, Inc.
Software:Spyro 2: Season of Flame Game Boy Advance Digital Eclipse
Monster Force
Software:Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly GameCube, PlayStation 2 Check Six Games, Equinoxe Digital Entertainment
2003 Software:Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced Game Boy Advance Vicarious Visions
Software:Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend
Software:Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox Blue Tongue Entertainment
Hulk GameCube, Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox Radical Entertainment
The Incredible Hulk Game Boy Advance Pocket Studios
Software:Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs Digital Eclipse
Crash Nitro Kart PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage Vicarious Visions
Battlestar Galactica PlayStation 2, Xbox Warthog Games

References

  1. ↑ Harmetz, Aljean (January 15, 1983). "New Faces, More Profits For Video Games". Times-Union: p. 16. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jnhcAAAAIBAJ&pg=4201,2482231. 
  2. ↑ Keith, Phipps (February 2, 2005). "Howard Scott Warshaw". A.V. Club. https://www.avclub.com/howard-scott-warshaw-1798208406. 
  3. ↑ Kent, Steven L. (2001). The Ultimate History of Video Games. Roseville, California: Prima. pp. 237–239. ISBN 0-7615-3643-4. https://archive.org/details/ultimatehistoryv00kent. 
  4. ↑ "E.T. Starring in Sales of Toys". The New York Times: pp. D1, D8. December 13, 1982. https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/13/business/et-starring-in-sales-of-toys.html. 
  5. ↑ From The Washington Post (January 14, 1986). "Many Video Games Designers Travel Rags-to-Riches-to-Rags Journey". Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-14-fi-28063-story.html. 
  6. ↑ Stilphen, Scott. "DP Interviews: Howard Scott Warshaw". http://www.digitpress.com/library/interviews/interview_howard_scott_warshaw.html. 
  7. ↑ "Atari Parts Are Dumped". The New York Times: p. D4. September 28, 1983. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/28/business/atari-parts-are-dumped.html. 
  8. ↑ Harris, Kathryn (March 27, 1985). "MCA Agrees to Acquire L.J.N. Toys : Entertainment Firm to Exchange Up to $39.8 Million in Stock" (in en-US). https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-03-27-fi-20221-story.html. 
  9. ↑ "NES Planner". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) (4): 87. January–February 1989. ISSN 1041-9551. https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20004%20January-February%201989/page/n89/mode/1up. 
  10. ↑ "MCA in Pact With Acclaim" (in en-US). The New York Times. March 13, 1990. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/13/business/mca-in-pact-with-acclaim.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Salas, Jacob (July 25, 2021). "The Universal Interactive Story". https://pophistory.club/feature/universal-interactive-story/. 
  12. ↑ Marx, Andy (January 5, 1994). "MCA gets into interactive". https://variety.com/1994/biz/news/mca-gets-into-interactive-117135/. 
  13. ↑ Harmon, Amy (January 5, 1994). "MCA Branching Out to Video Game Publishing". https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-05-fi-8735-story.html. 
  14. ↑ Marx, Andy (February 11, 1994). "MCA interacts with Interplay" (in en-US). https://variety.com/1994/biz/news/mca-interacts-with-interplay-118236/. 
  15. ↑ Meston, Zach. "Jurassic Park Underactive". Wired. https://www.wired.com/1994/10/jurassic-park-underactive/. Retrieved July 20, 2018. 
  16. ↑ "Jurassic Park Interactive". Entertainment Weekly. http://ew.com/article/1994/05/20/jurassic-park-interactive/. Retrieved July 20, 2018. 
  17. ↑ Ahmed, Shahed (September 22, 2000). "Q&A: Universal Interactive Studios". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-universal-interactive-studios/1100-2631711/. 
  18. ↑ "Spyro the Dragon official website". Universal Studios. http://www.spyrothedragon.com/. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Universal Studios and Konami Unite". Snowball.com. December 16, 1999. http://psx.ign.com/news/13289.html. 
  20. ↑ "Off the Record". August 5, 2000. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/05/off-the-record-128. 
  21. ↑ "Konami and Universal Interactive Announce Alliance". January 28, 2000. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/28/konami-and-universal-interactive-announce-alliance. 
  22. ↑ "Konami Teams with Universal". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/konami-teams-with-universal/1100-2447339/. 
  23. ↑ "The Thing Called Xbox". September 20, 2000. http://ie.ign.com/articles/2000/09/21/the-thing-called-xbox. 
  24. ↑ "Konami, Universal Announce Franchises". September 21, 2000. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/konami-universal-announce-franchises. 
  25. ↑ Teather, David (June 19, 2000). "Vivendi seals merger". https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/jun/19/media1. 
  26. ↑ "Buy Low, Sell High: Vivendi's History in Video Games". http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2018/06/26/buy-low-sell-high-vivendis-history-in-video-games. 
  27. ↑ "E3 2001 Preshow Report: Microsoft to publish Bruce Lee games". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2001-preshow-report-microsoft-to-publish-bruce-lee-games/1100-2761458/. 
  28. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://www.universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=05.17.01c. 
  29. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://www.universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=05.17.01b. 
  30. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://www.universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=05.17.01a. 
  31. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://www.universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=08.13.01. 
  32. ↑ "The Scorpion King Plagues GameCube". January 17, 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/17/the-scorpion-king-plagues-gamecube. 
  33. ↑ Giancarlo Varanini (January 31, 2002). "Crash comes to the Xbox". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/news/crash-comes-to-the-xbox-2844336. 
  34. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://www.universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=02.21.02a. 
  35. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://www.universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=02.21.02b. 
  36. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://www.universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=02.21.02d. 
  37. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://www.universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=02.21.02c. 
  38. ↑ "Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex". May 7, 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/07/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex-3. 
  39. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://www.universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=06.11.02. 
  40. ↑ "Universal Interactive - News". http://universalinteractive.com/news_article.phtml?news=07.09.02. 
  41. ↑ "Universal Lineup Update". August 14, 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/14/universal-lineup-update. 
  42. ↑ "VU Creates Black Label Games". August 13, 2002. http://ie.ign.com/articles/2002/08/13/vu-creates-black-label-games. 
  43. ↑ "Crash Bandicoot 2: N-tranced". September 3, 2002. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/03/crash-bandicoot-2-n-tranced. 
  44. ↑ "Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend". January 28, 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/28/bruce-lee-return-of-the-legend-2. 
  45. ↑ "Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs". April 24, 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/24/spyro-attack-of-the-rhynocs-3. 
  46. ↑ "E3 2003: Battlestar Galactica". April 24, 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/24/e3-2003-battlestar-galactica. 
  47. ↑ "E3 2003: Big Vivendi Announcements". April 24, 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/24/e3-2003-big-vivendi-announcements. 
  48. ↑ "E3 2003: Fast and the Furious Hands-On". May 16, 2003. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/16/e3-2003-fast-and-the-furious-hands-on. 
  49. ↑ "Trademark Assignment". United States Patent and Trademark Office. April 28, 2007. https://assignments.uspto.gov/assignments/assignment-tm-3531-0800.pdf. 
  50. ↑ "Vivendi Universal to shorten company name". March 3, 2006. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/vivendi-universal-to-shorten-company-name. 



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Company:Universal_Interactive&oldid=4242500"