Company:4J Studios
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Predecessor | VIS Entertainment |
| Founded | 19 April 2005 |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | Dundee , Scotland |
Key people | |
| Website | 4jstudios.com |
4J Studios Limited is a British independent video game developer based in Dundee. It has a second office located in East Linton. Founded in April 2005 by VIS Entertainment alumni Chris van der Kuyl, Paddy Burns and Frank Arnot, the company is best known for porting Minecraft to consoles and handheld platforms.[1]
History
4J Studios was founded by Chris van der Kuyl, Paddy Burns and Frank Arnot on 19 April 2005, twelve days after van der Kuyl's previous video game venture, VIS Entertainment, entered into administration.[2][3] All three were previously employed by that company, of which van der Kuyl as president and chief executive officer.[3][4]
In November 2012, co-founder and studio director Arnot announced that he had left 4J Studios to establish Stormcloud Games with co-workers Andy West and Pat McGovern.[5][6] In March 2018, 4J Studios invested a "six-figure sum" in Puny Astronaut, a Dundee-based developer founded by Abertay University alumni.[7] 4J Studios' van der Kuyl and Burns subsequently joined that company's board of directors, of which van der Kuyl also became their chairman.[8] 4J Studios then opened an investment fund, Chroma Ventures, in March 2021, which absorbed the Puny Astronaut stake and invested in several other studios. In October 2022, 4J Studios announced its intent to start publishing games, starting with Puny Astronaut's Skye Tales in 2023.[9]
Games developed
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Publisher(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Bethesda Softworks |
| 2006 | Star Trek: Encounters | PlayStation 2 | |
| The Elder Scrolls IV (port) | PlayStation 3 | ||
| 2007 | Star Trek: Conquest | PlayStation 2, Wii | |
| 2008 | AMF Bowling Pinbusters! | Nintendo DS | Vir2L Studios |
| Overlord (port) | PlayStation 3 | Codemasters | |
| Ducati Moto | Nintendo DS | Vir2L Studios | |
| Banjo-Kazooie (port) | Xbox 360 | Microsoft Game Studios | |
| 2009 | Banjo-Tooie (port) | ||
| Wuggle | iOS | 4J Studios | |
| Texas Wuggle | |||
| 2010 | Perfect Dark | Xbox 360 | Microsoft Game Studios |
| 2012 | Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition | Microsoft Studios | |
| 2013 | Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition | PlayStation 3 | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| 2014 | Minecraft: Xbox One Edition | Xbox One | Microsoft Studios |
| 2014 | Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition | PlayStation 4 | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition | PlayStation Vita | ||
| 2015 | Minecraft: Wii U Edition | Wii U | Mojang |
| 2017 | Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition | Nintendo Switch | |
| 2023 | Manic Mechanics | Nintendo Switch | 4J Studios |
References
- ↑ Sarkar, Samit (6 November 2014). "Microsoft officially owns Minecraft and developer Mojang now". https://www.polygon.com/2014/11/6/7167349/microsoft-owns-minecraft-mojang-acquisition-closes.
- ↑ "New State of Emergency declared as Glasgow firm takes on game". 1 May 2005. https://www.scotsman.com/business/new-state-emergency-declared-glasgow-firm-takes-game-2454502.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Games company 4J enjoys year of profit". 2 August 2011. https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/13033994.games-company-4j-enjoys-year-of-profit/.
- ↑ Elliott, Phil (August 12, 2008). "4J's Chris van der Kuyl". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/4j-s-chris-van-der-kuyl.
- ↑ Gera, Emily (13 November 2012). "Minecraft XBLA and Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion developers form Stormcloud Games studio". https://www.polygon.com/2012/11/13/3639528/minecraft-xbla-and-elder-scrolls-4-oblivion-developers-form.
- ↑ Weber, Rachel (13 November 2012). "New studio Storm Cloud launches in Scotland". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-11-13-new-studio-storm-cloud-launches-in-scotland.
- ↑ Kerr, Chris (15 March 2018). "Minecraft console edition dev invests in Scottish studio Puny Astronaut". https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/315559/Minecraft_console_edition_dev_invests_in_Scottish_studio_Puny_Astronaut.php.
- ↑ Dring, Christopher (15 March 2018). "4J Studios invests 'six-figure sum' in Scottish indie dev Puny Astronaut". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-03-15-4j-studios-invests-six-figure-sum-in-scottish-indie-dev-puny-astronaut.
- ↑ Partis, Danielle (25 October 2022). "4J Studios announces move into publishing". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/4j-studios-announces-move-into-publishing.
External links
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