 | |
| Type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video game industry |
| Founded | January 4, 1994 |
| Founders |
|
| Defunct | 2006 |
| Fate | Dissolved |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
| Parent |
|
Universal Interactive (formerly Universal Interactive Studios) was an American video game publisher. The company was established by Skip Paul and Robert Biniaz of MCA Inc. in January 1994. Through the merger of Vivendi and Universal Studios in July 2000, Universal Interactive's ownership transitioned to the latter's video games division, Havas Interactive.
History[]
The foundation of Universal Interactive Studios was announced by MCA Inc. on January 4, 1994.[1] Leading key personnel for the foundation were Skip Paul and Robert Biniaz.[2] The company's first product was Jurassic Park Interactive, which was previously announced in 1993 and released on May 10, 1994, to mixed reception.[3][4] Universal Interactive Studios had their biggest success with Crash Bandicoot in 1996.[5]
When Universal Interactive Studios' parent company, Universal Studios, merged with Vivendi in July 2000,[6] Universal Interactive Studios was re-organized under Vivendi's Havas Interactive (later Vivendi Universal Games) division.[7] Vivendi Universal announced on March 3, 2006, that it would divest itself of the "Universal" name.[8]
Games published[]
| Year | Title | System | Developer | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Jurassic Park Interactive | 3DO Interactive Multiplayer | Studio 3DO | Universal Interactive Studios |
| Way of the Warrior | Naughty Dog | |||
| 1996 | Crash Bandicoot | PlayStation | Sony Computer Entertainment | |
| Disruptor | Insomniac Games | Universal Interactive Studios (NA) Interplay Productions (EU/JP) | ||
| 1997 | Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back | Naughty Dog | Sony Computer Entertainment | |
| 1998 | Spyro the Dragon | Insomniac Games | ||
| Running Wild | Blue Shift | 989 Studios (NA) Sony Computer Entertainment (EU) | ||
| Crash Bandicoot: Warped | Naughty Dog | Sony Computer Entertainment | ||
| 1999 | Xena: Warrior Princess | Universal Studios Digital Arts | Electronic Arts | |
| Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! | Insomniac Games | Sony Computer Entertainment | ||
| Crash Team Racing | Naughty Dog | |||
| 2000 | Spyro: Year of the Dragon | Insomniac Games | ||
| The Grinch | Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation | Artificial Mind and Movement | Konami | |
| Crash Bash | PlayStation | Eurocom Entertainment Software | Sony Computer Entertainment | |
| The Mummy | Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation | Rebellion Developments | Konami | |
| Woody Woodpecker Racing | Syrox Developments | |||
| 2001 | The Mummy Returns | PlayStation 2 | Blitz Games | Universal Interactive Studios |
| Spyro: Season of Ice | Game Boy Advance | Digital Eclipse | ||
| Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex | PlayStation 2 | Traveller's Tales | ||
| 2002 | Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure | Game Boy Advance | Vicarious Visions | Universal Interactive |
| Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex | GameCube, Xbox | Eurocom Entertainment Software, Traveller's Tales | ||
| Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon | Xbox | Ronin Entertainment | ||
| 4x4 EVO 2 | GameCube | Terminal Reality | ||
| The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian | GameCube, PlayStation 2 | Point of View, Inc. | ||
| Spyro 2: Season of Flame | Game Boy Advance | Digital Eclipse | ||
| Monster Force | ||||
| Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly | GameCube, PlayStation 2 | Check Six Games, Equinoxe Digital Entertainment | ||
| 2003 | Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced | Game Boy Advance | Vicarious Visions | |
| Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend | ||||
| Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox | Blue Tongue Entertainment | ||
| Hulk | GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox | Radical Entertainment | ||
| The Incredible Hulk | Game Boy Advance | |||
| Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs | Digital Eclipse | |||
| Crash Nitro Kart | Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox | Vicarious Visions | ||
| Battlestar Galactica | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Warthog Games |
References[]
- ↑ Marx, Andy (January 5, 1994). "MCA gets into interactive". variety.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ HARMON, AMY (January 5, 1994). "MCA Branching Out to Video Game Publishing". Retrieved July 20, 2018 – via LA Times.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Jurassic Park Underactive". wired.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Jurassic Park Interactive". ew.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Ahmed, Shahed (September 22, 2000). "Q&A: Universal Interactive Studios". gamespot.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Teather, David (June 19, 2000). "Vivendi seals merger". the Guardian. Retrieved July 22, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Buy Low, Sell High: Vivendi's History in Video Games". Kotaku UK. Retrieved July 20, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Vivendi Universal to shorten company name". gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved July 20, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>