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| {{Infobox_Company | | | {{Company |
| company_name = Stormfront Studios Inc.|
| | |name=Stormfront Studios Inc. |
| company_type = [[Private company|Private]] |
| | |image=Stormfront Studios logo.jpg |
| company_slogan = N/A |
| | |founder=Don Daglow |
| foundation = [[San Rafael, California]] ([[1988]]) |
| | |founded=1988 |
| location = [[San Rafael, California]] |
| | |closed=2008 |
| key_people = [[Don Daglow]], President [[CEO]] |
| | |website=http://www.stormfront.com |
| num_employees = ~70 (2005) |
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| industry = [[Software Programming]]|
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| products = ''[[Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone]]'' Atari br''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' EA br''[[Blood Wake]]'' Microsoft br''[[NASCAR Racing]] series'' EA Sports br''[[Madden Football]]'' EA Sports br''[[Neverwinter Nights]] [[MMORPG]] on [[AOL]]''br''[[Tony La Russa Baseball]]'' SSI br''[[Gold Box]] [[DND]] Games, SSI''brVarious Interactive Television demos |
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| revenue = N/A |
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| homepage = http://www.stormfront.com
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| }} | | }} |
| '''Stormfront Studios''' is a [[video game developer]] based in [[San Rafael, California]], and has one of the longest creative histories in the industry. The company has approximately 70 developers working on two teams, and owns all its proprietary engines, tools and technology. As of the beginning of [[2005]] over ten million copies of Stormfront-developed games had been sold. | | '''Stormfront Studios''' was a video game developer based in San Rafael, California which had one of the longest creative histories in the industry. In [[2007]], the company had over 50 developers working on two teams, and owned all its proprietary engines, tools and technology. As of the end of 2007 over fourteen million copies of Stormfront-developed games had been sold. As of March 31, [[2008]], they are out of business. |
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| The company has received major awards and award nominations from [[The Academy of Interactive Arts Sciences]], [[BAFTA]], The [[Frankfurt Book Fair|EMMA Awards]], the [[Software Publishers Association]] and many magazines. | | The company received major awards and award nominations from The Academy of Interactive Arts Sciences, G4 Television, BAFTA, The IGDA Game Developers Choice Awards, The EMMA Awards, [[SCEA]], the Software Publishers Association and many magazines and websites. |
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| | In 2008 [[Neverwinter Nights]] was honored (along with [[Everquest]] and [[World of Warcraft]]) at the 59th Annual Technology Engineering Emmy Awards for advancing the art form of [[MMORPG]] games. Don Daglow accepted the award for project partners Stormfront Studios, [[AOL]] and Wizards of the Coast. |
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| ==History== | | ==History== |
| Stormfront was founded in [[1988]] by [[Don Daglow]], who had worked as a [[game programmer]] and later as Director of Game Development at [[Mattel]] [[Intellivision]], and later as a producer at [[Electronic Arts]] and [[Broderbund]]. Stormfront's management includes veterans of [[Blizzard Entertainment]], [[CNET]], [[Walt Disney Studios]], [[Electronic Arts]], [[Industrial Light and Magic]], [[Lionhead Studios]], [[LucasArts]], [[Origin Systems]], [[Warner Bros.]] and [[WETA]]. | | Stormfront was founded in [[1988]] by Don Daglow, who had worked as a game programmer and then as Director of Game Development at Mattel [[Intellivision]], as a producer at [[Electronic Arts]], and as a production executive at [[Brøderbund Software]]. Stormfront's management includes veterans of Disney, Electronic Arts, [[Ensemble Studios]], [[LucasArts]], [[Origin Systems]], THX, [[Vivendi Universal]] and [[Warner Bros.]]. |
| | | Stormfront was originally founded as '''Beyond Software''', but changed its name in [[1991]] when the trademark for ''Beyond'' proved difficult to enforce. |
| Stormfront was originally founded as ''Beyond Software'', but changed its name in [[1991]] when the trademark for ''Beyond'' proved difficult to enforce. | |
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| Upon its founding in 1988 Stormfront's first project was a baseball title, which over the following eight years was to become the ''[[Tony La Russa Baseball]]'' series of games, working closely with baseball manager [[Tony La Russa]]. La Russa remains a member of the company's Board of Directors today. Daglow had previously designed or co-designed a number of baseball games, including ''[[Baseball (Computer Game)|Baseball]]'', ''[[Intellivision World Series Baseball]]'' and ''[[Earl Weaver Baseball]]'', the latter two with programmer [[Eddie Dombrower]].
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| Daglow had worked on game projects with [[Kathi McHugh]] and [[Steve Case]] of [[AOL]] (then called [[Quantum Computer Services]]) since early in AOL's history. Apart from baseball, Stormfront's initial projects were a series of online titles for AOL, including the first original [[Play-by-email]] game, ''[[Quantum Space]]'' ([[1989]]) and later the first graphical [[MMORPG]], the original ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'' ([[1991]]-[[1997]]). ''Neverwinter Nights'' held the all-time record as the top revenue-producing online [[Role-playing game|RPG]] for almost ten years until the success of ''[[Ultima Online]]'' in the late [[1990s]]. [[BioWare]] subsequently purchased the rights to the name, and built a new generation of award-winning multiplayer RPG's set in the Neverwinter universe.
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| In [[1990]] the company began working with [[SSI]] on a series of [[Gold Box]] [[Dungeons and Dragons]] RPG games. This led to the company's first #1 hit, ''[[Gateway to the Savage Frontier]]'', which in turn led to Stormfront's design of an early [[real-time strategy|RTS]], ''[[Stronghold (game)|Stronghold]]'' ([[1993]]). ''Stronghold'' was the first RTS to use a [[3-D computer graphics|3D]] perspective.
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| In [[1994]]-[[1995]] the company self-published two baseball games, ''[[Tony La Russa Baseball 3]]'' and ''[[Old Time Baseball]]'', both distributed by EA. The [[baseball strike]] of 1994 severely hampered sales, and Stormfront returned to being solely a developer.
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| Stormfront was the first video game developer to use [[motion control photography]] in a video game, in the [[Electronic Arts]] game ''[[Eagle Eye Mysteries]]'', ([[1993]]).
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| ''Eagle Eye Mysteries'' was directed by ''[[John Madden Football]]'' game designer [[Scott Orr]], who produced a long series of games with Stormfront over the following several years. These included ''[[Andretti Racing]]'' and the original versions of the top-selling American [[auto racing]] game of all time, ''[[NASCAR Racing]]'', which remains part of the [[EA Sports]] lineup today. Stormfront also did versions of ''[[John Madden Football]]'' and ''[[Tiger Woods Golf]]'' with Orr for EA Sports.
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| Although the game earned limited distribution in the United States, Stormfront's [[1997]] [[Discovery Channel]] game ''Byzantine'' swept the European Emma Awards at the [[Frankfurt Book Fair]], winning honors as Best Adventure Game, Game of the Year, and CD of the Year.
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| Stormfront has had an ongoing commitment to the development of games for [[Interactive TV]], and has produced demos for companies including [[OpenTV]].
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| ==Recent Notable Games==
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| In the last five years Stormfront has evolved to produce fewer, larger [[video game console|console]] games. The company's most notable titles during this time have been:
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| * ''[[Blood Wake]]'' for [[Xbox]] ([[2001]]). A featured title in [[Microsoft]]’s launch of the Xbox, Blood Wake is a fast-action naval combat game with real wakes and waves and the most striking water effects created on a [[video game console]]. Players battle enemy gunboats in 28 single-player missions and several multi-player modes. A wide variety of boats, weapons, environments, weather and waves generate a wide variety of play experiences. The game later became part of the Xbox Platinum line of older hits.
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| * ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (game)|The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' [[2002]]. Published by [[Electronic Arts]] for [[PlayStation 2|PS2]] and Xbox and based on the [[Peter Jackson]] film from [[New Line Cinema]]. One of the top-selling games of both 2002 and 2003, The Two Towers allows players to join [[Frodo]] and the Fellowship of the Ring in their quest to save [[Middle-earth]] from [[Sauron]]. Players can fight as [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]] or [[Gimli]] in this epic adventure that features scenes and music from the first two Lord of the Rings movies, battling [[Orc]]s, the [[Uruk-Hai]], [[Ringwraith]]s and more. Characters can be upgraded with new moves and weapons as players prepare to play a pivotal role in the defense of [[Helm’s Deep]]. The game features extensive unlockable content, including a secret character and level and exclusive interviews with the stars of the films. Winner, [[Academy of Interactive Arts Sciences]] [[Interactive Achievement Awards|Award]] for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering.
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| * ''[[Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone]]'' ([[2004]]). Published by [[Atari]] for PS2, Xbox and PC. A lone fighter, a brash sorcerer, a beautiful hot-tempered rogue. Players can switch which of the three characters they control “on the fly” at any moment to battle an onslaught of enemies. Based on Stormfront’s sophisticated game engine used in The Lord of the Rings, advanced AI consistently guides the characters you don’t control, allowing the player to jump from hero to hero to pick the ideal character to play in order to defeat large and dangerous enemies. The game was nominated for several major industry awards in both North America and Europe.
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| ==List of Stormfront Titles==
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| The first years of Stormfront's history occurred during a time when typical game development teams had two to four members. Its most recent projects have required teams of 60 people or more. This change is typical for game developers during this period.
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| *''[[Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone]]'' (2004) for PS2 and Xbox, published by Atari
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| *''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (game)|The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' (2002) for PS2 and Xbox, published by EA, based on the Peter Jackson film from New Line Cinema.
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| *''[[Blood Wake]]'' (2001) for Xbox, published by Microsoft Games
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| *''[[Legend of Alon D’ar]]'' (2001) for PS2, published by [[UbiSoft]]
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| *''[[Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor]]'' (2001) for PC, published by [[Strategic Simulations|SSI]]
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| *''[[Tiger Woods PGA Tour]] Golf 2001'' (2000) for [[PlayStation]], published by [[EA Sports]]
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| *''[[My Style / My World: Kindergarten]]'' (2000) for PC and [[Apple Macintosh|Macintosh]], published by [[Lego]]
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| *''[[My Style / My World: Pre-K]]'' (2000) for PC and Macintosh, published by Lego
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| *''[[NASCAR 2000]]'' (1999) for PlayStation, [[Nintendo 64]] and PC, published by EA Sports
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| *''[[Hot Wheels Turbo Racing]]'' (1999) for PlayStation and Nintendo 64, published by EA
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| *''[[Starfire Soccer Challenge]]'' (1998) for PC and Macintosh, published by [[Purple Moon]]
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| *''[[NASCAR ’99]]'' (1998) for PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and PC, published by EA Sports
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| *''[[Madden NFL]] ’98'' (1997) for PC, published by EA Sports
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| *''[[Byzantine: The Betrayal]]'' (1997) for PC, published by Discovery Channel
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| *''[[La Russa Baseball 4]]'' (1997) for PC, published by [[Maxis]]
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| *''[[Andretti Racing ’98]]'' (1997) for PC, published by EA Sports
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| *''[[NASCAR ’98]]'' (1997) for PC, published by EA Sports
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| *''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' (1996) for PC and Macintosh, published by [[Viacom]] New Media
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| *''[[Andretti Racing]]'' (1996) for PlayStation and PC, published by EA Sports
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| *''[[Madden NFL]] ’97'' (1996) for PC, published by EA Sports
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| *''[[La Russa Baseball ’96]]'' (1996) for PC, self-published by Stormfront
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| *''[[Old Time Baseball]]'' (1995) for PC, self-published by Stormfront
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| *''[[La Russa Baseball 3]]'' (1995) for PC, self-published by Stormfront
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| *''[[ESPN National Hockey Night]]'' (1995) for PC, published by [[Sony]]
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| *''[[Mario Andretti Racing]]'' (1994) for [[Sega Genesis]], published by EA Sports
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| *''[[ESPN Baseball Tonight]]'' (1994) for PC, published by [[Sony]]
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| *''[[Eagle Eye Mysteries in London]]'' (1994) for PC and Macintosh, published by [[Creative Wonders]] ([[EA Kids]])
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| *''[[La Russa Baseball ‘95]]'' (1994) for Sega Genesis, published by EA Sports
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| *''[[La Russa Baseball II]]'' (1994) for PC, published by [[Strategic Simulations|SSI]]
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| *''[[Rebel Space]]'' (Online [[Play-by-email]]) (1993-95) for PC and Macintosh, available on the [[Prodigy]] [[online service]]
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| *''[[Tony La Russa Ultimate Baseball]]'' (1993) for Sega Genesis, published by EA Sports
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| *''[[Stronghold (game)|Stronghold]]'' (1993) for PC, published by SSI
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| *''[[Eagle Eye Mysteries]]'' (1993) for PC and Macintosh, published by Creative Wonders (EA Kids)
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| *''[[Treasures of the Savage Frontier]]'' (1992) for PC and [[Amiga]], published by SSI in the [[Gold Box]] [[DD]] series
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| *''[[Neverwinter Nights]]'' (Online) (1991-97) for PC, available on [[AOL]], boxed set also published by SSI in the Gold Box series
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| *''[[Tony La Russa Ultimate Baseball]]'' (1991) for PC, published by SSI
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| *''[[Gateway to the Savage Frontier]]'' (1991) for PC, [[C64]] and Amiga, published by SSI in the Gold Box series
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| *''[[Quantum Space]]'' (Online Play-by-email) (1989-1992) for PC, Macintosh, [[Apple II]], C64, available on [[AOL]]
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| *''[[The QuantumLink Serial]]'' (Online) (1988-1989) for PC, Macintosh, Apple II, C64, available on [[AOL]]
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| ==References==
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| *[http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3120265did=1 1up.com feature on Stormfront]
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| *[http://www.gamebanshee.com/interviews/stormfrontstudios1.php GameBanshee feature on Stormfront]
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| *[http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200406/N04.0622.1918.31532.htm Game Informer article on Daglow]
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| *[http://www.the-underdogs.org/company.php?name=Stormfront+Studios Underdogs company listing]
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| *[http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/stormfront-studios/ MobyGames company summary]
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| ==External Links==
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| *[http://www.stormfront.com Official Website]
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| *[http://www.bladekeep.com/nwn The Original Neverwinter Nights]
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| [[Category:Computer and video game companies]] | | ==Games developed== |
| | * [[The Spiderwick Chronicles]] (2008) |
| | * [[Eragon]] (2006) |
| | * [[Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone]] (2004) |
| | * [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]] (2002) |
| | * [[Blood Wake]] (2001) |
| | * [[Legend of Alon D’ar]] (2001) |
| | * [[Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor]] (2001) |
| | * [[Tiger Woods PGA Tour]] Golf 2001 (2000) |
| | * [[My Style / My World: Kindergarten]] (2000) |
| | * [[My Style / My World: Pre-K]] (2000) |
| | * [[NASCAR 2000]] (1999) |
| | * [[Hot Wheels Turbo Racing]] (1999) |
| | * [[Starfire Soccer Challenge]] (1998) |
| | * [[NASCAR Racing 1999 Edition]] (1998) |
| | * [[Madden NFL ’98]] (1997) |
| | * [[Byzantine: The Betrayal]] (1997) |
| | * [[La Russa Baseball 4]] (1997) |
| | * [[Andretti Racing ’98]] (1997) |
| | * [[NASCAR Racing 1999 Edition]] (1997) |
| | * [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]] (1996) |
| | * [[Andretti Racing]] (1996) |
| | * [[Madden NFL ’97]] (1996) |
| | * [[La Russa Baseball ’96]] (1996) |
| | * [[Old Time Baseball]] (1995) |
| | * [[La Russa Baseball 3]] (1995) |
| | * [[ESPN National Hockey Night]] (1995) |
| | * [[Mario Andretti Racing]] (1994) |
| | * [[ESPN Baseball Tonight]] (1994) |
| | * [[Eagle Eye Mysteries in London]] (1994) |
| | * [[La Russa Baseball ‘95]] (1994) |
| | * [[La Russa Baseball II]] (1994) |
| | * [[Rebel Space]] (1993-95) |
| | * [[Tony La Russa Ultimate Baseball (1993)]] (1993) |
| | * [[Stronghold]] (1993) |
| | * [[Eagle Eye Mysteries]] (1993) |
| | * [[Treasures of the Savage Frontier]] (1992) |
| | * [[Neverwinter Nights (AOL)|Neverwinter Nights]] (1991-97) |
| | * [[Tony La Russa Ultimate Baseball]] (1991) |
| | * [[Gateway to the Savage Frontier]] (1991) |
| | * [[Quantum Space]] (1989-1992) |
