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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.


===Games 1988-1993===
===Highlights 2001-2005===
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]].
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video 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.
 
* ''[[Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone|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 Academy of Interactive Arts  Sciences Interactive Achievement Awards and [[BAFTA]] Awards.
 
* ''[[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 classic hits.


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-mail game|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.
===Highlights 1994-2000===
* ''[[NASCAR Racing 1999 Edition|NASCAR Racing]]'', the original versions of the top-selling American [[auto racing]] game series of all time, created by Stormfront for EA Sports.  ''[[John Madden Football]]'' game designer [[Scott Orr]], who produced a long series of games with Stormfront, championed the development of ''[[Andretti Racing]]'', which led in turn to the creation of ''NASCAR''.


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]]'' (1991), and the first game where an AI character might fall in love with the player (depending on how they reacted to situations in the game), ''[[Treasures of the Savage Frontier]]'' (1992).  These two games in turn led to Stormfront's design of an early [[real-time strategy|RTS]], ''[[Stronghold (1993 game)|Stronghold]]'' ([[1993]]).  ''Stronghold'' was the first RTS to use a [[3-D computer graphics|3D]] perspective.
* ''[[Madden NFL]]''.  Stormfront created the original PC versions of ''Madden'' for EA Sports.


===Games 1994-2000===
* ''[[Tiger Woods PGA Tour]] Golf'', EA Sports.
In [[1994]]-[[1995]] the company self-published two baseball games, ''[[Tony La Russa Baseball|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.


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]]).
* ''[[Tony La Russa Baseball|Tony La Russa Baseball 3]]'' and ''[[Old Time Baseball]]''.  In [[1994]]-[[1995]] the company self-published these two baseball games, both distributed by EA.  The [[baseball strike]] of 1994 severely hampered sales, and Stormfront returned to being solely a developer.


''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 series of all time, ''[[NASCAR Racing 1999 Edition|NASCAR Racing]]'' (later ''[[NASCAR Thunder]]''), which remains part of the [[EA Sports]] lineup today. Stormfront also did versions of ''[[John Madden Football]]'' and ''[[Tiger Woods PGA Tour]] Golf '' with Orr for EA Sports.
* 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]]).


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.
* 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.


===Games 2001-2005===
===Highlights 1988-1993===
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:
* ''[[Tony La Russa Baseball]]''.  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]].


* ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video 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.
* ''[[Neverwinter Nights]]''. 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-mail game|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.


* ''[[Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone|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 Academy of Interactive Arts  Sciences Interactive Achievement Awards and [[BAFTA]] Awards.
* ''[[Gold Box]]'' [[DD]] Games. 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]]'' (1991), and the first game where an AI character might fall in love with the player (depending on how they reacted to situations in the game), ''[[Treasures of the Savage Frontier]]'' (1992).


* ''[[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 classic hits.
* ''[[Stronghold (1993 game)|Stronghold]]''.  These two games in turn led to Stormfront's design of an early [[real-time strategy|RTS]], ''Stronghold'' ([[1993]]).  ''Stronghold'' was the first RTS to use a [[3-D computer graphics|3D]] perspective.


===Interactive TV===
===Interactive TV===
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==List of Stormfront Titles==
==List of Stormfront Titles==
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.
The first years of Stormfront's history occurred during a time when typical game development teams had two to four members.  Its Next Gen projects call for teams of 75 to 100 people or more.  This change is typical for game developers during this period.


*''Unannounced title based on an upcoming major motion picture'' (No further data available)
*''Unannounced title based on an upcoming major motion picture'' (No further data available)

Revision as of 23:49, 5 January 2006

Template:Infobox Company 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.

The company has received major awards and award nominations from The Academy of Interactive Arts Sciences, G4 Television, BAFTA, The EMMA Awards, the Software Publishers Association and many magazines and websites.


History

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 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 Digital.

Stormfront was originally founded as Beyond Software, but changed its name in 1991 when the trademark for Beyond proved difficult to enforce.

Highlights 2001-2005

  • 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 Academy of Interactive Arts Sciences Interactive Achievement Awards and BAFTA Awards.
  • 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 classic hits.

Highlights 1994-2000

  • Madden NFL. Stormfront created the original PC versions of Madden for EA Sports.
  • 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.

Highlights 1988-1993

  • Stronghold. These two games in turn led to Stormfront's design of an early RTS, Stronghold (1993). Stronghold was the first RTS to use a 3D perspective.

Interactive TV

Stormfront has had an ongoing involvement in the development of games for Interactive TV, and has produced demos for companies including OpenTV.

List of Stormfront Titles

The first years of Stormfront's history occurred during a time when typical game development teams had two to four members. Its Next Gen projects call for teams of 75 to 100 people or more. This change is typical for game developers during this period.

References

External links

Pages in category "Stormfront Studios"

The following 3 pages are in this category, out of 3 total.

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