Monolith Productions

Monolith Productions, Inc.

Final logo, used from 2017 to 2025

Type| Subsidiary
Industry| Video games
Fate| Dissolved
Founded| October 25, 1994; 31 years ago (1994-10-25)[1]
Founders|

* Bryan Bouwman
* Toby Gladwell
* Brian Goble
* Jace Hall
* Garrett Price
* Paul Renault
* Brian Waite

Defunct| February 25, 2025; 14 months ago (2025-02-25)
Headquarters| Kirkland, Washington, United States

Number of employees

| 100+ (2004)[2]
Parent| Warner Bros. Games (2004–2025)

Monolith Productions, Inc. was an American video game developer based in Kirkland, Washington. The company was a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Games from August 2004 until its shutdown in 2025.[3] It formerly published third-party games in the 1990s. In February 2025, it was reported that Warner Bros. Games had decided to close the studio.[4]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Technology
* 3 Video games
* 3.1 Developed
* 3.2 Published
* 4 References
* 5 External links

## History

Monolith Productions was founded on October 25, 1994 by Bryan Bouwman, Toby Gladwell, Brian Goble, Jace Hall, Garrett Price, Paul Renault, and Brian Waite.[5] Co-founder Brian Goble had this to say regarding the company name.

> At the time we formed the company, DOS was still the OS of choice for games. Because of this, we knew we had to come up with a name that was 8 characters or less (for 8.3 filenames). We had been researching story and technology ideas for our demo CD and we were watching a lot of movies. "Monolith" came up, was semi mysterious, wasn't taken, and was 8 characters. Perfect.[5]

Several of the founders, include Hall, were employees of software company Edmark at the time, and the group had gotten together frequently to play games like Doom. Several felt they could try their own hand at making video games. To promote their initial ideas, they took advantage of the Redbook audio format for compact discs that allowed both audio and digital files to be stored on the same media. Hall left Edmark to start promotion of the company, and ended up with Microsoft, which was preparing for the release of Windows 95. Microsoft brought on Monolith to develop gaming CDs to demonstrate the capabilities of Windows 95 and DirectX, with the remaining founders quitting Edmark and working out of offices at Microsoft's campus in Redmond, Washington.[6]

Hall used the gaming CDs to continue to build out a list of contacts for future expansion. This led to a significant investment from Japanese print publisher Takarajimasha, allowing Monolith to establish their own set of offices and bring on more staff to do full-time production by 1996.[6] Initial work was done towards Claw, a game based on a shelved project by Garrett. During development, Monolith acquired Q Studios, a development team led by a friend Nick Newhard. At the time, Q Studios was finishing work on Blood and Monolith switched to focus on shipping it instead. Blood was one of the last games to use the 2.5D Build engine, but meanwhile Monolith also had a team building an in-house 3D engine. Blood was a hit with the Monolith team and replaced Doom as their office deathmatch game.[6]

The company is best known for the Blood, No One Lives Forever and F.E.A.R series. Monolith developed the LithTech game engine which was used for most of their games starting with Software:Shogo: Mobile Armor Division in September 1998. Between 1997 and 1999, Monolith also published games–some developed by the studio, some by third parties.

By May 1997, the company employed more than 70 people.[7] After the end of self publishing, Monolith secured deals with Interplay Productions in early 1999,[8] and Fox Interactive in late 1999.[9]

In 2004, Monolith Productions was acquired by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (now Warner Bros. Games).[3]

In 2014, the company released the title Software:Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor with a sequel entitled Software:Middle-earth: Shadow of War being released in 2017.

In 2021, the company announced that they were developing a video game starring Wonder Woman.[10]

In 2025, Warner Bros. Games closed the studio alongside Player First Games and WB Games San Diego, cancelling Wonder Woman and refocusing development efforts on core intellectual properties.[4]

## Technology

Main article: Software:LithTech

## Video games

### Developed

Year  | Title  | Platform(s)

|
|

PC | Console | Handheld
1997  | Blood | MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows | —  | —
Claw | Microsoft Windows  | —  | —
1998  | Get Medieval | Microsoft Windows  | —  | —
Software:Shogo: Mobile Armor Division | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, AmigaOS | —  | —
Software:Blood II: The Chosen | Microsoft Windows  | —  | —
1999  | Gruntz | Microsoft Windows  | —  | —
TNN Outdoors Pro Hunter 2 | Microsoft Windows  | —  | —
2000  | Software:Sanity: Aiken's Artifact | Microsoft Windows  | —  | —
Software:The Operative: No One Lives Forever | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS  | PlayStation 2 | —
2001  | Tex Atomic's Big Bot Battles | Microsoft Windows  | —  | —
Aliens Versus Predator 2 | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS  | —  | —
2002  | No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS  | —  | —
2003  | Tron 2.0 | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS  | Xbox | Game Boy Advance
Contract J.A.C.K. | Microsoft Windows  | —  | —
2005  | The Matrix Online | Microsoft Windows  | —  | —
F.E.A.R. | Microsoft Windows  | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | —
Software:Condemned: Criminal Origins | Microsoft Windows  | Xbox 360  | —
2008  | Software:Condemned 2: Bloodshot | —  | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360  | —
2009  | Software:F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin | Microsoft Windows  | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360  | —
2012  | Gotham City Impostors | Microsoft Windows  | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360  | —
Guardians of Middle-earth | Microsoft Windows  | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360  | —
2014  | Software:Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor | Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux  | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360  | —
2017  | Software:Middle-earth: Shadow of War | Microsoft Windows  | PlayStation 4, Xbox One  | —

### Published

Year  | Title  | Platform(s)

|
|

1994  | Maabus | MS-DOS
1998  | Rage of Mages | Microsoft Windows
1999  | Software:Rage of Mages II: Necromancer | Microsoft Windows
Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator | Microsoft Windows
Gorky 17 | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, AmigaOS

## References

1. ↑ @MonolithDev (October 2, 2019). "October 25th is Monolith's 25th Anniversary. Twenty. Five. Years. In the business. And we've got a lot of fun stuff planned this month to celebrate. Stay tuned here for a big ol' look back at a long history of #gamedev.". https://twitter.com/MonolithDev/status/1179501628631552001.
2. ↑ Fahey, Rob (January 16, 2004). "Monolith Productions appoints new CEO". http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/monolith-productions-appoints-new-ceo.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thorsen, Tor (August 12, 2004). "Warner Bros. buys Monolith Productions". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6104711.html.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Blake, Vikki (2025-02-25). "Warner Bros shuttering Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros San Diego" (in en). https://www.gamesindustry.biz/warner-bros-reportedly-shuttering-monolith-productions-player-first-games-and-warner-bros-san-diego.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Keefer, John (March 31, 2006). "GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins, Page 12 of 19". http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p12.html.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Zak, Robert (May 25, 2021). "From Shogo to Shadow of War: Charting the chaotic, creative history of Monolith Productions". GamesRadar. https://www.gamesradar.com/from-shogo-to-shadow-of-war-charting-the-chaotic-creative-history-of-monolith-productions/. Retrieved February 27, 2025. ""We leased a bunch of buildings in this office park," says Garrett. "I remember walking through it with my wife and she asked 'How are you ever gonna fill all these up?' We just began rounding up our friends from other companies. We almost instantly had this whole crew." With the studio complex set up in 1996 – complete with sound studio and other high-end extras... "Q Studios was launched by our friend Nick Newhard," Garrett recalls. "In this whole pedal-to- the-metal thing, Jason was like 'Let's just acquire Q Studios, let's get Nick in, let's give him stock, let's make him a part of this too.'" Blood was a much-loved game, eventually replacing Doom as the go-to deathmatch game at Monolith."
7. ↑ Baker, Sharon (May 23, 1997). "More than gore". Archived from the original on May 13, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010513034321/http://seattle.bcentral.com/seattle/stories/1997/05/26/story3.html. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
8. ↑ "Interplay and Monolith Strike Deal" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/interplay-and-monolith-strike-deal/1100-2460615/.
9. ↑ Graser, Marc (1999-08-25). "Fox Interactive game to deal with Monolith" (in en-US). https://variety.com/1999/digital/news/fox-interactive-game-to-deal-with-monolith-1117750771/.
10. ↑ Prescott, Shaun. "Wonder Woman game announced, is in development at Monolith Productions". PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/wonder-woman-game-announced-is-in-development-at-monolith-productions/.

## External links

* Official website (archived)
* Monolith Productions profile on MobyGames
* Monolith Productions entry on Giant Bomb

* v
* t
* e

Monolith Productions

Games
developed|

| Blood|

* Blood
* Plasma Pak
* Blood II
* The Nightmare Levels

|

No One Lives Forever|

* The Operative
* No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way
* Contract J.A.C.K.

F.E.A.R.|

* F.E.A.R.
* F.E.A.R. 2
* Reborn

Condemned|

* Condemned
* Condemned 2

Middle-earth games|

* Guardians of Middle-earth
* Middle-earth
* Middle-earth

Other games|

* Aliens versus Predator 2
* Claw
* Get Medieval
* Gotham City Impostors
* Gruntz
* Sanity
* Shogo
* Tex Atomic's Big Bot Battles
* Tron 2.0
* The Matrix Online

Games published|

* Maabus
* Rage of Mages
* Gorky 17
* Septerra Core

Companies|

* 3D Realms (Q Studios)
* GT Interactive Software
* Fox Interactive
* Buena Vista Interactive
* Sierra Entertainment
* Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
* Snowblind Studios
* Surreal Software
* Sandlot Games
* HipSoft

People|

* Jace Hall
* Daniel Bernstein
* Guy Whitmore
* Joe Ybarra
* Stephan Weyte

Related|

* Cate Archer
* LithTech
* Priest
* Betrayer

* v
* t
* e

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Franchises|

* Asheron's Call
* Batman
* Blood
* Condemned
* Defender
* F.E.A.R.
* Game Party
* Gauntlet
* Harry Potter
* Injustice
* Joust
* Lego
* Middle-earth
* Mortal Kombat
* Rampage
* Scribblenauts
* Spy Hunter
* TouchMaster

Subsidiaries|

* Avalanche Software
* Monolith Productions
* NetherRealm Studios
* Portkey Games
* Rocksteady Studios
* TT Games
* Traveller's Tales
* WB Games Boston
* WB Games Montréal
* WB Games San Francisco

Former subsidiaries|

* Midway Games
* Snowblind Studios
* Surreal Software

Related articles|

* Eidos Interactive
* List of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment video games
* Time Warner
* Warner Bros.
* Ed Boon
* Sefton Hill
* Jon Burton
* Diane Nelson

* v
* t
* e

Warner Bros.

Company
officials|

* Founders
* Albert Warner
* Harry Warner
* Jack L. Warner
* Sam Warner
* Executives
* Ann Sarnoff
* Dee Dee Myers

Warner Bros.
Pictures Group|

* Castle Rock Entertainment
* DC Films
* Flagship Entertainment
* HOOQ
* New Line Cinema
* Spyglass Media Group
* Turner Entertainment Co.
* Warner Bros. Pictures
* WaterTower Music

Former|

* DramaFever
* eleveneleven
* Warner Bros. Family Entertainment
* Warner Independent Pictures

Warner Bros.
Home Entertainment Group|

* Warner Home Video
* Warner Archive Collection
* Fandango Media
* Fandango Movieclips
* Movies.com
* MovieTickets.com
* Rotten Tomatoes

Former|

* New Line Home Entertainment
* Infinifilm
* Warner Premiere
* Raw Feed

Warner Bros.
Interactive|

* Avalanche Software
* Monolith Productions
* NetherRealm Studios
* Portkey Games
* Rocksteady Studios
* TT Games
* Traveller's Tales
* WB Games Boston
* WB Games Montréal
* WB Games San Francisco

Former|

* Snowblind Studios
* Surreal Software
* Midway Games

Warner Bros.
Television Group|

* Warner Bros. Television
* Telepictures
* TMZ
* A Very Good Production
* Alloy Entertainment
* Warner Bros. International Television Production
* Warner Bros. Television Productions UK
* Ricochet
* Twenty Twenty
* Eyeworks
* Wall to Wall Media
* Warner Bros. Television Networks
* The CW
* The CW Plus
* Turner Classic Movies
* Asia
* UK and Ireland
* List of international channels
* Warner TV
* WB Channel

Former|

* Shed Productions

Warner Bros. Global
Brands and Experiences|

| DC Entertainment|

* DC Comics
* WildStorm
* Vertigo Comics
* DC Black Label
* Mad

|

Warner Bros.
Themed Entertainment|

* Warner Bros. Movie World
* Incidents
* Parque Warner Madrid
* Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
* Warner Bros. Studio Tours
* Hollywood
* London
* The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
* Harry Potter: The Exhibition
* Former
* Jungle Habitat
* Incidents
* Movie Park Germany

Consumer Products|

* Warner Bros. Studio Store

Warner Bros. Global
Kids & Young Adults|

| Boing|

* Africa
* France
* Italy (49%)
* Spain (50%)

|

Boomerang|

* Australia and New Zealand
* Central and Eastern Europe
* Middle East and Africa
* France
* Italy
* Latin America
* Nordic
* Portugal
* Southeast Asia
* South Korea
* Taiwan
* Thailand
* Turkey
* UK and Ireland

Cartoon Network|

* United States
* Arab World
* Africa,Europe and Middle East
* Hindi
* Australia & New Zealand
* Benelux
* Canada
* Central and Eastern Europe
* France
* Germany
* India
* Italy
* Japan
* Latin America and Brazil
* Nordics
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Poland
* Portugal
* Russia and Southeastern Europe
* Southeast Asia
* South Korea
* Spain
* Turkey
* UK & Ireland

Other channels|

* Adult Swim
* Canada
* Toonami
* France
* Cartoonito
* UK and Ireland
* Pogo
* Tooncast

Production|

* Cartoon Network Studios
* Cartoon Network Studios Europe
* LTS Garðbær Studios
* Warner Bros. Animation
* List of productions
* Hanna-Barbera
* Warner Animation Group
* Williams Street
* Williams Street Records

Warner Bros.
Digital Networks|

* DC Universe

Other|

* Wang Film Productions
* De Lane Lea Studios
* Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures
* Warner Bros. Museum
* Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank
* Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden

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