- Kuju Entertainment
Infobox Company
name = Kuju Entertainment
type = Public
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foundation =1998
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key_people =Ian Baverstock : CEO
industry = Video games
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homepage = [http://www.kuju.com/ Kuju Entertainment]
footnotes =
intl =Kuju Entertainment is a British
computer and video game corporation . Kuju Entertainment was formed after a management buyout ofSimis fromEidos Interactive . They have collaborated with several companies on games for various platforms, including theNintendo GameCube ,PlayStation 2 ,Wii , and the PC. Kuju helped develop ' and ' for the PlayStation 2, the multiplayer mode in "", "Battalion Wars " for theNintendo GameCube , and "Battalion Wars 2 " for theWii , as well as the multiplayer component of "Dark Messiah of Might and Magic " for PC. Kuju also developed the successful 2006 remake of "Sensible Soccer ".Kuju Entertainment has seven studios, all but one located in the U.K.: Nik Nak (
Guildford ), doublesix (Guildford), Zoë Mode (Brighton ), Headstrong (London ), Chemistry (Sheffield ) and Rail Simulator (Guildford) The seventh is located inSan Francisco .In 2007 Kuju Entertainment developed "
Rail Simulator " for PC (a spiritual successor to "Microsoft Train Simulator "), and "EyeToy Play Sports " for the PS2. A PSP title, "Traxion", was cancelled in January 2007. [ [http://www.gamespot.com/psp/puzzle/traxion/news.html?sid=6163839&om_act=convert&om_clk=newlyadded Traxion loses traction] , Gamespot] On 15 December, 2006, it was announced that a bid had been made for Kuju Entertainment by the German investment group Catalis. The offer was 25 pence cash for each Kuju share, with a total value of approximately £4.375 million (6.53 millioneuro ). Kuju's board of directors has unanimously recommended the offer to shareholders. [ [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21711] Investment group makes GBP 4.4 million offer for Kuju Plc]On 1 March, 2007, Kuju's Brighton development studio underwent a name change to Zoë Mode. Ed Daly, head of Zoë Mode, said: "We've created Zoë Mode; she is the personality that reflects our in-house philosophy of accessible, fun gaming for everyone." Zoë Mode does not represent one individual but represents the developers at the studio, the culture of the studio and the consumers, says Kuju. Kuju also said that Zoë Mode may undergo cosmetic changes but her character will remain the same. [ [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6166587.html] Kuju studio becomes Zoë Mode]
On 22 May 22, 2007 it was announced that Kuju would be working on a much expanded sequel to "
Geometry Wars ", called "", for theWii andNintendo DS . [ [http://www.8bithero.co.uk/2007/05/22/geometry-wars-to-hit-wii-ds/] Geometry Wars to hit Wii, DS]On 25 June, 2007, it was announced that Kuju has re-branded its
Sheffield studio as "Chemistry" and will be specialising in developing games based on the Unreal Engine 3 [ [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=26061] Kuju rebrands Sheffield studio]On 1 January 1, 2008, Kuju announced the opening of its first US office in San Francisco run by John Kavanagh, erstwhile head of development at
Domark andEidos Interactive . [ [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=32559] Kuju targets casual market with new US studio]On 29 July, 2008, Kuju announced a name change for its studio in London. Named "Headstrong Games", it is focussed on Wii titles and is currently working on "" for Sega.
References
External links
* [http://www.kuju.com/ Kuju Official Website]
* [http://www.niknak-games.com/ Nik Nak]
* [http://www.doublesixgames.com/ doublesix]
* [http://www.ZoeMode.com/ Zoe Mode (was: Kuju Brighton)]
* [http://www.gameChemistry.com/ Chemistry (was: Kuju Sheffield)]
* [http://www.KujuLondon.com/ Kuju London]
* [http://www.KujuSurrey.com/ Kuju Surrey]
* [http://www.kujuamerica.com/ Kuju America]
* [http://www.railsimulator.com/ Rail Simulator]
* [http://www.catalisgroup.com Catalis Group, parent company]
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