Blitz Games Studios is a video game developer located in Leamington Spa, United Kingdom. It was founded by the Oliver Twins, Andrew and Philip Oliver, in 1981. They completed their first game in 1984 and started developing titles for video game publisher Codemasters.
The Codemasters publishing relationship led to the origin of the Dizzy series and the Simulator series. Whilst with Codemasters, they were responsible for over 10 UK number one best sellers and over 3 million sales.[2] In 1986, it was reported that an estimated 7% of all UK games sales were attributable to the Oliver Twins.[2]
The Olivers have diversified the company’s main activities and Blitz Games Studios now represents six different divisions.
Divisions[ | ]
- Creates the games that the company originally became well known for: family titles, often licensed on popular characters and existing IP.
- This is the division that creates downloadable games. Its first release was an advergame series created for the US Burger King chain. Since then, Blitz Arcade has turned its focus to downloadable titles and has had success with its first game of this type: SpongeBob Squarepants – Underpants Slam. They have also developed shooter PowerUp Forever, puzzler Droplitz and the 3DTV-compatible beat 'em up Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao.[1]
- Responsible for the company’s mature games. Video games created by this division include Reservoir Dogs, runner up in the 2006 BAFTA awards for best sound track.[2] 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.[3] They released Dead to Rights: Retribution on April 27, 2010.
TruSim
- Blitz Games Studios "serious games" division. It is best known for its work on medical-related training programs including the award-winning Interactive Trauma Trainer.[4]
BlitzTech
- Creates and licenses game development engine and toolchain.
- Creates the games that the company originally became well known for: family titles, often licensed on popular characters and existing IP.
Blitz Academy
- The in-house training system and educational outreach program
Former divisions[ | ]
- Virtual Experience Company
- Past projects include the Tintern Abbey virtual tour.[3] The company was acquired by Blitz Games at the end of 2006 but was bought back by its owner Mike Gogan at the end of May 2008.[4]
Blitz 1UP[ | ]
The Blitz 1UP initiative was launched in 2008 as an outlet for small, independent teams to bring their titles – finished and unfinished – to market on XBLA, PSN, PC, WiiWare, iPhone Flash and Mac. The scheme offers tailor-made packages to indie developers including PR, QA and access to its established distribution channels. The initiative provides a wide range of services, from design and production advice through to assistance with finding distribution and publishing partners.
Games created or published by Interactive Studios/Blitz Games Studios[ | ]
- Droplitz Delight (2010)
- SFG Soccer: Football Fever (2010) - Published by Blitz 1UP
- Dead to Rights: Retribution (2010)
- All Star Karate (2010)
- Biggest Loser (2009)
- Karaoke Revolution (2009)
- iCarly (2009)
- KrissX (2009)- Published by Blitz 1UP
- Fluttabyes (2009)- Published by Blitz 1UP
- Mole Control (2009)- Published by Blitz 1UP
- Clover: A Curious Tale (2009)- Published by Blitz 1UP
- Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao (Q4 2009)
- Droplitz (Q3 2009)
- PowerUp Forever (2008)
- Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy (2008)- Published by Blitz 1UP
- Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 (2008)
- Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Make the Grade (2008)
- Bratz Girlz Really Rock (2008)
- Tak and the Guardians of Gross (2008)
- Project Aftermath (2008)- Published by Blitz 1UP
- Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore (2008)
- SpongeBob Squarepants - Underpants Slam[5](2007)
- Bratz: The Movie (video game) (2007)
- Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol (2007)
- Big Bumpin' (2006)
- PocketBike Racer (2006)
- Sneak King (2006)
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab (2006)
- Bratz: Forever Diamondz (2006)
- Reservoir Dogs (2006)
- Pac-Man World 3 (2005)
- Bratz: Rock Angelz (2005)
- The Fairly OddParents: Shadow Showdown (2004)
- Bad Boys: Miami Takedown (2004)
- Barbie Horse Adventures: Wild Horse Rescue (2003)
- The Fairly OddParents: Breakin' Da Rules (2003)
- Zapper: One Wicked Cricket (2002)
- Taz: Wanted (2002)
- Lilo & Stitch: Trouble in Paradise (2002)
- Fuzion Frenzy (2001)
- The Mummy Returns (2001)
- Chicken Run (2000)
- The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
- Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge (2000)
- Action Man: Destruction X (2000)
- Action Man: Mission Xtreme (1999)
- Glover (1999)
- WarGames (1998)
Awards[ | ]
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 [6]
- Warwickshire Employer of Choice Awards 2006 for creating an exceptional working environment [7].
References[ | ]
- ↑ http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/06/29/droplitz-drops-in-to-psn
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Interview with the Oliver Twins from GIGnews.com
- ↑ Ancient abbey's virtual world. BBC News (3 June 2003). Retrieved on 29 July 2009
- ↑ The Virtual Experience Company Parts From Blitz Games Studios. Serious Games (7 May 2008). Retrieved on 29 July 2009
External links[ | ]
- Blitz Games Studios official website
- Blitz Games entry at MobyGames
- [www.olivertwins.com - a website about the company's founders.]
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