Warner Bros. Games
- For Time Warner's previous video games publishing division, see Atari Games. Not to be confused with Warner Bros. Games.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Inc. (WBIE) is a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. It is a worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of video games for both internal and third party titles. Under the WBIE umbrella is Warner Bros. Games (also the division's major publishing unit), which focuses on the creation, development and production of first-party titles. Leveraging the distribution, marketing and sales infrastructure within Warner Home Video, WBIE is a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third-party game titles.[1]
History
In 1995, Warner Bros. Interactive licensed out their first game property, Batman Forever to Acclaim Entertainment.[2] They continued to license games based on Cartoon Network, DC Comics, Hanna and Barbera, Looney Tunes and various Warner Bros. film properties over the years to such video game publishers as Ubisoft, EA, Infogrames and THQ.
In 2003, they co-published their first video game, Looney Tunes: Back in Action. EA was the other publisher of the game.[3]
In 2004, Warner Bros. acquired developer Monolith Productions. [4]
In 2005, WB Games. label was created. The first game that Monolith developed in conjunction with Warner Bros. Entertainment was The Matrix Online which SEGA helped co-publish.
In 2006, they bought a 10.3% stake in SCi Entertainment, the owner of Eidos Interactive. That same year, they released their first self published title (with no co-publishers), Justice League Heroes, it was distributed by Eidos on the Xbox.
In 2007, their goal was for a five year plan to expand in the video game industry, which includes the acquisition of studios for internal development and the creation of a studio (WB Games) in the Seattle area that will run all the games published and developed by the company.[5] Starting with the acquisition of TT Games that same year for the amount of £100 million [6]
In April 2008, they increased their stake to 35% gaining distribution right of all Eidos games in the United States, Canada and Mexico.[7] On December 15, 2008, right after SCi changed their name to Eidos plc, Warner acquired a total of 10 million shares of the company, raising its owned amount to 19.92%, after an agreement which prevented Time Warner from acquiring more shares was scrapped one month earlier.[8]. On January 28, 2009, The Hollywood Reporter reported the deal also gave Warner the rights of the Tomb Raider film series[9], previously owned by Paramount Pictures. On February 12, 2009, SQEX Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix, announced a takeover offer worth £84.3 million (32p per share) for Eidos plc.[10] which was backed by Warner Bros. as shareholder [11]. (Square Enix eventually took over the company April 22, 2009 and later changed the name to Square Enix Europe)
Warner Bros. announced on February 4, 2009 it had purchased independent developer Snowblind Studios [12]. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition serves to strengthen the publisher's internal development effort.
In May 2009, Warner offered to purchase most of the assets of American publisher Midway Games, operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, for more than $33 million dollars. The offer included Midway's studio in Chicago (rebranded as WB Games Chicago[13]) and Surreal Software, resulting in the ownership to the rights to the Joust, Mortal Kombat, The Suffering, Spy Hunter and Wheelman series.[14] Midway Games had previously worked with Warner Bros. on several games including Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Midway intended to hold an auction of its assets on June 29, 2009, but no other bids were placed. On July 10, 2009, the sale to Warner was completed for approximately $49 million.[15]
On January 13, 2010, it was announced that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will produce and have exclusive rights to Sesame Street video games starting in 2010.[16]
On February 23, 2010, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group announced it had acquired majority stake in Rocksteady Studios, an independent development studio based in London. Rocksteady and Warner had previously worked together in Batman: Arkham Asylum, and as been announced to work in the future with more Warner Bros. licenses.[17]
On March 22, 2010, Warner Bros. Interactive is the latest videogame company to open a studio in La Belle Province. Current president Martin Tremblay will lead the new Montreal studio, which will be known as WB Games Montreal. This new studio will gradually grow to include more than 300 people by the end of 2015. It is obvious that the new studio will take advantage of the great incentive program offered by the Québec government. Tremblay also said that Warner will open another studio in another city soon. Martin Tremblay told us that the new Montreal studio will focus on creating games based on the DC Comics license.[18]
On April 20, 2010, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group announced today the acquisition of Turbine, Inc. the developer of the famous company MMOs Dungeons & Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online.[19]
Studios
- Monolith Productions in Kirkland, Washington (Official site), founded in 1994, acquired in 2004.
- Netherrealm Studios (Formerly WB Games Chicago). in Chicago, Illinois (Official site), founded as Midway Games Chicago in 1988, acquired from Midway Games on July 27, 2009.
- Rocksteady Studios in London, England (Official site), founded in 2004 and acquired majority stake in February 2010.
- Snowblind Studios in Bothell, Washington (Official site), founded in 1997, acquired in 2009.
- Surreal Software in Seattle, Washington (Official site), founded in 1995, acquired from Midway Games on July 27, 2009.
- TT Games in Buckinghamshire, England (Official site), founded in 2005, acquired November 8, 2007.
- Turbine, Inc. in Westwood, Massachusetts (Official site), founded in 1994, acquired in 2010.
- WB Games in Kirkland, Washington[20] (Official site), started in 2005, became an internal developer in 2007.
- WB Games Montreal in Montreal, Canada[21] (Official site), founded in 2010.
Games Published, Developed or Licensed
Cartoon Network Games
- Dexter's Lab: Chess Challenge[22]
- Dexter's Lab: Deesaster Strikes![22]
- Dexter's Lab: Mandark's Laboratory[22]
- Dexter's Lab: Robot Rampage[22]
- Dexter's Lab: Science Ain't Fair![22]
- Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Mis-Edventures
- The Powerpuff Girls: Chemical X-Traction[23]
- The Powerpuff Girls: Gamesville[23]
- The Powerpuff Girls: Him & Seek[23]
- The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo A-Go-Go![23]
- The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo's Clone Zone[23]
- The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo's Pet Project[23]
- The Powerpuff Girls: Princess Snorebucks[23]
- The Powerpuff Girls: Relish Rampage[23]
- Samurai Jack: The Amulet Of Time[24]
- Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku
DC and Vertigo Comics Games
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold the Videogame
- Batman: Arkham Asylum (co-published with Eidos Interactive)
- Batman Forever
- Batman Forever: The Arcade Game[2]
- Batman & Robin[2]
- Batman: Vengeance
- Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
- Superman: Shadow of Apokolips
- Catwoman
- Batman Begins (co-published with EA Games)
- Superman Returns
- Constantine
- Teen Titans
- Justice League Heroes (published)
- Justice League Heroes: The Flash
- LEGO Batman: The Videogame (published)
- Watchmen: The End Is Nigh
Hanna-Barbera Games
- Scooby-Doo! Classic Creep Capers
- Scooby-Doo Mystery
- Scooby Doo!: Mystery Mayhem
- Scooby-Doo! Mystery Adventures
- Scooby Doo: First Frights
- Scooby-Doo!: Night of 100 Frights
- Scooby-Doo: Phantom of the Knight
- Scooby-Doo! Unmasked
- Scooby Doo: The Motion Picture
- Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
- The Flintstones: Bedrock Bowling
- The Flintstones: Big Trouble in Bedrock
- The Flintstones: Burgertime in Bedrock
- Tom and Jerry[2]
- Tom and Jerry: Fists of Furry
- Tom and Jerry in House Trap
- Tom and Jerry in Mouse Attacks![25]
- Tom and Jerry: Mouse Hunt[25]
- Tom and Jerry Tales
- Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring
- Tom and Jerry: War of the Whiskers
- Wacky Races (2000)
- Yogi Bear: Great Balloon Blast'
Looney Tunes Games
- Animaniacs: Lights, Camera, Action!
- Animaniacs Splat Ball
- Animaniacs: Ten Pin Alley
- Animaniacs: The Great Edgar Hunt
- Pinky and the Brain: World Conquest
- Bugs Bunny in Crazy Castle 3
- Bugs Bunny in Crazy Castle 4
- Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble
- Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time
- Bugs Bunny & Lola Bunny: Operation Carrot Patch
- Bugs Bunny & Taz: Time Busters
- Daffy Duck: Fowl Play
- Daffy Duck Starring as Duck Dodgers
- Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal (published)
- Looney Tunes: Back in Action (co-published with EA)
- Looney Tunes: Carrot Crazy
- Looney Tunes: Cartoon Conductor
- Looney Tunes Collector: Alert!
- Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck (published)
- Looney Tunes: Marvin Strikes Back!
- Looney Tunes Racing
- Looney Tunes: Sheep Raider
- Looney Tunes Space Race
- Loons: The Fight for Fame
- Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday
- Space Jam[2]
- Speedy Gonzales: Aztec Adventure
- Taz Express
- Taz: Wanted
- Tweety's High-Flying Adventure
- Tweety & the Magic Gems
- Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Bad Dream
- Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Saves the Day
- Tiny Toon Adventures: Dizzy's Candy Quest
- Tiny Toon Adventures: Plucky's Big Adventure
- Tiny Toon Adventures: The Great Beanstalk
- Tiny Toon Adventures: Wacky Stackers
Warner Bros. Pictures Games
- Demolition Man
- Harry Potter Video Game Series (published by EA Games)
- Enter the Matrix
- The Matrix: Path of Neo
- The Matrix Online (co-published with SEGA)
- 300: March to Glory (published)
- The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria [26]
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Speed Racer
- Where the Wild Things Are
Other Games
- Condemned 2: Bloodshot
- F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
- Guinness World Records: The Video Game
- Lego Battles
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (co-published with Midway Games)
- Overlord
- Overlord II
- Puyo Pop Fever
- Tomb Raider: Underworld (co-distributed with Eidos Interactive)
- Wanted: Weapons of Fate
- Scribblenauts
- Touchmaster 3
- Lego Rock Band (co-published with MTV Games and Electronic Arts)
Upcoming titles
- Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 (Tentative Title)
- Batman: The Brave and The Bold: The Videogame
- F.3.A.R.
- Galactic Taz Ball
- Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- Mortal Kombat 9
- Primal Earth
- Scene It? Bright Lights! Big Screen!
- Super Scribblenauts
- The Clique: Diss and Make-Up
- Lord of The Rings: War in the North
- The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest
- This is Vegas
- Vacation Isle: Beach Party
See also
- Batman video games
- List of video games based on DC Comics
- List of Looney Tunes video games
- Superman video games
- Tom and Jerry video games
- List of Tiny Toon Adventures video games
References
Vorlage:More footnotes Vorlage:Reflist
External links
Vorlage:WB Vorlage:Time Warner Vorlage:Video game companies of the United States
- ↑ http://www.warnerbros.com/#/page=company-info/divisions/home_entertainment/divisions_iinteractivenetertainment
- ↑ a b c d e http://www.closinglogos.com/page/Warner+Bros.+Interactive+Entertainment
- ↑ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111035864.html
- ↑ http://www.techspot.com/news/14759-warner-bros-buys-monolith.html
- ↑ http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15928
- ↑ http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/12/report-tt-games-sold-to-warner-bros-for-approx-210-million/
- ↑ Warner Bros. Strengthens Partnership with SCi. Edge Online, 28. April 2008, abgerufen am 31. Januar 2009.
- ↑ Time Warner has picked up an additional 10 million shares, raising its total stake in Eidos to about 20% percent. Game Daily, 15. Dezember 2008, abgerufen am 31. Januar 2009.
- ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i85756b4e0ca108bcc0e6cf82b7389501
- ↑ Offer for Eidos plc. Square Enix Holdings Co Limited, 12. Februar 2009 .
- ↑ http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22321
- ↑ http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/04/warner-bros-interactive-acquires-snowblind-studios/
- ↑ http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/
- ↑ http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3174979
- ↑ http://www.multichannel.com/article/315680-Midway_Completes_Time_Warner_Sale.php
- ↑ http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g6IzzNlTjH8kRXNSm1pez9UMBD5w
- ↑ http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/warner-bros-acquires-majority-stake-in-rocksteady-studios/
- ↑ http://www.gamefocus.ca/?nav=new&nid=8704
- ↑ http://www.gamepron.com/news/2010/04/20/turbine-inc-acquired-by-warner-bros/
- ↑ http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobseekerx/viewjobrss.asp?cjid=19356&accountno=407
- ↑ http://www.gamefocus.ca/?nav=new&nid=8704
- ↑ a b c d e [1]
- ↑ a b c d e f g h [2]
- ↑ http://www.wbie.com/games_samjack.html
- ↑ a b [3]
- ↑ Turbine Announces Distribution Partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria. In: Turbine Press Release. 30. Juli 2008, abgerufen am 31. Juli 2008.