Blitz Games Studios

British video game developer

Blitz Games Studios Limited

Formerly|

* Dizzy Enterprises Limited (1990–1994)
* Interactive Studios Limited (1994–1999)
* Blitz Games Limited (1999–2008)

Company type| Private
Industry| Video games
Founded| 1990; 35 years ago (1990)
Founders|

* Andrew Oliver
* Philip Oliver

Defunct| September 12, 2013 (2013-09-12)
Fate| Dissolved
Successor| Radiant Worlds
Headquarters|

Leamington Spa

England

Key people

* Philip Oliver (CEO)
* Andrew Oliver (CTO)
* Richard Smithies (COO)

Number of employees

| 230+[1] (2009)
Divisions|

* Blitz Games
* Blitz Arcade
* Volatile Games
* TruSim
* Blitz Academy
* BlitzTech

Website| www.blitzgames.com

Blitz Games Studios Limited was a British video game developer based in Leamington Spa. Founded in 1990 by the Oliver Twins, who ran the company until its closure in 2013, it is best known for producing games such as The Fairly OddParents, Bratz, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Biggest Loser, and Karaoke Revolution.[2]

## Divisions

[edit]

### Blitz Games

[edit]

Blitz Games created the games that the company first became well known for: family titles, often licensed on popular characters and existing intellectual property.

### Blitz Arcade

[edit]

Blitz Arcade was founded in 2006 with a team of 35 people. It was focused on developing downloadable titles of a small scope.[3] Its first release was an advergame series created for the US Burger King chain. After that, Blitz Arcade turned its focus to downloadable titles and had success with its first game of this type: SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam. They also developed shooter PowerUp Forever, puzzler Droplitz and the 3DTV-compatible beat 'em up Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao.[4]

### Volatile Games

[edit]

Volatile Games was responsible for the company's mature games. The division dates from 2006.[5] The company and the division ended in 2013.[6]

Video games created by this division include Reservoir Dogs, runner-up in the 2006 BAFTA awards for Best Soundtrack.[7] Despite allowing the player to complete the game without firing a single shot, the game was considered so realistic in its depictions of violence that it was banned in Australia.[8] They released Dead to Rights: Retribution on 27 April 2010.

A proposed game, Possession, was cancelled.

### TruSim

[edit]

TruSim was the serious games division. The idea was to bring commitment to training through video games.[9] It is best known for its work on medical-related training programs including the award-winning Interactive Trauma Trainer.[10]

### BlitzTech

[edit]

BlitzTech created and licensed the game development engine and toolchain.

### Earlier divisions

[edit]

#### Virtual Experience Company

[edit]

Past projects include the Tintern Abbey virtual tour.[11] The company was acquired by Blitz Games at the end of 2006 but was sold back to former owner Mike Gogan in May 2009.[12]

#### Blitz 1UP

[edit]

In 2008 Blitz Games Studios launched the Blitz1UP programme to help independent developers bring their games to market. The programme provided free help and advice on all aspects of game production as well as crowd sourced QA. The programme was closed in 2011 and was replaced by IndieCity, an online indie game marketplace.

## Games

[edit]

Games created or published by Interactive Studios/Blitz Games Studios include:

Year  | Title  | Platforms

|
|

1996  | Firo & Klawd | PlayStation, Windows, MS-DOS
1998  | WarGames: Defcon 1 | PlayStation, Windows
Glover | Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Windows
1999  | Action Man: Mission Xtreme | PlayStation
2000  | Action Man: Destruction X | PlayStation, Windows
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea | PlayStation
Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge | PlayStation, Dreamcast, Windows
Chicken Run | PlayStation, Dreamcast, Windows, Game Boy Color
2001  | The Mummy Returns | PlayStation 2
Cubix - Robots for Everyone: Race 'N Robots | PlayStation, Game Boy Color
Fuzion Frenzy | Xbox
2002  | Cubix - Robots for Everyone: Clash 'N Bash | Game Boy Advance
Lilo & Stitch: Trouble in Paradise | PlayStation, Windows
Taz: Wanted | PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Windows
Zapper: One Wicked Cricket | PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Windows
2003  | Cubix Robots for Everyone: Showdown | PlayStation 2, GameCube
The Fairly OddParents: Breakin' Da Rules | PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Barbie Horse Adventures: Wild Horse Rescue | PlayStation 2, Xbox
2004  | Bad Boys: Miami Takedown | PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Windows
The Fairly OddParents: Shadow Showdown | PlayStation 2, GameCube
2005  | Bratz: Rock Angelz | PlayStation 2, GameCube
Pac-Man World 3 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Windows, PlayStation Portable
2006  | Reservoir Dogs | PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows
Bratz: Forever Diamondz | PlayStation 2, GameCube
SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab | PlayStation 2, Wii, GameCube
Sneak King | Xbox, Xbox 360
PocketBike Racer | Xbox, Xbox 360
Big Bumpin' | Xbox, Xbox 360
2007  | Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol | PlayStation 2
Bratz: The Movie | PlayStation 2, Wii
SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis | PlayStation 2, Wii
SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam | Xbox 360
2008  | Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore | PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Project Aftermath | Windows
Tak and the Guardians of Gross | PlayStation 2, Wii
Bratz: Girlz Really Rock | PlayStation 2, Wii
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Make the Grade | Xbox 360
Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy | Windows
PowerUp Forever | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2009  | Droplitz | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, iOS
Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
KrissX | Xbox 360, Windows, Mac
iCarly | Wii, Nintendo DS
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Game Time | Xbox 360
Karaoke Revolution | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
The Biggest Loser | Wii
2010  | Fluttabyes | Windows
Clover: A Curious Tale | Xbox 360, Windows
Mole Control | Windows
All Star Karate | Wii
Dead to Rights: Retribution | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
The Biggest Loser Challenge | Wii
The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout | Xbox 360
SFG Soccer: Football Fever | Windows
Droplitz Delight | iOS, Android
2011  | Your Doodles Are Bugged! | Xbox 360, Windows
Yoostar 2 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, Mac
Fantastic Pets | Xbox 360
SpongeBob's Surf & Skate Roadtrip | Xbox 360
Michael Phelps: Push the Limit | Xbox 360
Puss in Boots | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
2012  | Kumo Lumo | iOS
Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Windows, PlayStation Vita, Wii U
2013  | Paper Titans | iOS
Shrek Alarm | iOS
2015  | Valedo Home | iOS, Android
| Raceline CC | iOS, Android

## Awards

[edit]

2007

* Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2007 - Favourite Videogame – SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
* Edge award for Training and Development of young people
* ICT Excellence in Skills
* Blitz Games wins Develop Industry Excellence Award for Business Development
* Cannes Titanium Grand Prix Award for the Burger King games
* Golden Clio Award for Burger King games

2006

* Blitz Games CEO Philip Oliver named Best Industry Player by TIGA [1]
* Warwickshire Employer of Choice Awards 2006 for creating an exceptional working environment [2].

## Closure

[edit]

On 12 September 2013, the company announced that it was closing after 23 years of business.[13] The closure came as a result of the company struggling to raise money to support future development projects, with the demise of THQ, a major client, said by Philip Oliver to have hit the company particularly hard.[13][14] The company is reported to have owed £2.2 million to staff and creditors.[15]

The Oliver brothers along with the former company's COO Richard Smithies almost immediately formed a new company, Radiant Worlds, in the same town, and were reported to have recruited up to 50 former Blitz staff.[16][17]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Droplitz Drops in to PSN – PlayStation.Blog". Blog.us.playstation.com. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
2. ^ Warr, Philippa. "Blitz Games Studios announces closure after 23 years". Wired.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 September 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
3. ^ Stuart, Keith (12 March 2009). "Blitz Games Studios: altruism, recession and the arcade business". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
4. ^ "C3 Exclusive Interview | Seeing Double: The Oliver Twins (Blitz Games Studios) #1 at Nintendo Cubed3". Cubed3.com. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
5. ^ "Volatile Games". MobyGames. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
6. ^ "U.K. Blitz Game Studios Closes After 23 Years". Volatile Games. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
7. ^ "BAFTA Awards". Bafta.org. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
8. ^ 5:42PM PDT (25 August 2006). "Reservoir Dogs game banned in Australia - GameSpot.com". Uk.gamespot.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2013.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
9. ^ "Playtime at work". Coventry Telegraph. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
10. ^ "School of Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering - University of Birmingham". Iecs.bham.ac.uk. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
11. ^ "Ancient abbey's virtual world". BBC News. 3 June 2003. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
12. ^ "The Virtual Experience Company Parts From Blitz Games Studios". Serious Games. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
13. ^ a b Lee, Dave (12 September 2013). "UK games developer Blitz Games Studios shuts down". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
14. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (12 September 2013). "There have been a lot of men crying, including me". Eurogamer. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
15. ^ "Creditors owed £2.2m after games firm collapse". Birmingham Post. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
16. ^ Crookes, David (29 July 2013). "UK-based Blitz Games Studios to close after 23 years - News - Gadgets & Tech". The Independent. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
17. ^ Rose, Mike (27 November 2013). "Defunct Blitz Games Studios returns as Radiant Worlds". Gamasutra. Think Services. Retrieved 27 November 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Blitz Games Studios at MobyGames

* v
* t
* e

Blitz Games Studios

* Dead to Rights: Retribution
* The Biggest Loser
* Karaoke Revolution
* Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao
* Droplitz
* PowerUp Forever
* Bratz: Girlz Really Rock
* Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore
* SpongeBob Squarepants - Underpants Slam
* Bratz: The Movie
* Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol
* Sneak King
* PocketBike Racer
* Big Bumpin'
* SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
* Bratz: Forever Diamondz
* Reservoir Dogs
* Bratz: Rock Angelz
* Pac-Man World 3
* The Fairly OddParents: Shadow Showdown
* Bad Boys: Miami Takedown
* The Fairly OddParents: Breakin' da Rules
* Barbie Horse Adventures: Wild Horse Rescue
* Taz: Wanted
* Zapper: One Wicked Cricket
* Lilo & Stitch: Trouble in Paradise
* The Mummy Returns
* Fuzion Frenzy
* Chicken Run
* WarGames: Defcon 1
* Glover

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