Guerrilla Games
Encyclopedia
Guerrilla Games is a first party video game developer
and wholly owned subsidiary
of Sony Computer Entertainment
. The company is based in Amsterdam
in the Netherlands
, currently employs approximately 150 individuals, and is headed by managing director Hermen Hulst and development director Arjan Brussee
.
The developer is best known for its Killzone series
; exclusive to PlayStation. The most recent game in the series, Killzone 3
, was first released in North America on February 22, 2011. On August 18, 2010 during a press briefing at Gamescom
in Cologne
, Germany
, managing director Herman Hulst confirmed that Guerrilla Games' next title would be an all-new intellectual property
, making it Guerrilla's first game not based on the Killzone series since Shellshock: Nam '67
.
, the developer was a subsidiary of the large Dutch
multimedia conglomerate Lost Boys
, and operated under the moniker Lost Boys Games. The developer was formed as a result of a merger between 3 separate Dutch-based developers, including Orange Games, founded by Arjan Brussee
, and Digital Infinity
, founded by Arnout van der Kamp. Over the next 3 and a half years, Lost Boys Games would release four titles, two each for Nintendo
's Game Boy Color
and Game Boy Advance
handheld gaming consoles.
In mid 2003, due to a variety of mergers and corporate reshuffling, the gaming unit was sold off to Media Republic, a new media venture by original Lost Boys' founder Michiel Mol
, and in July of that year was renamed to Guerrilla Games. Shortly thereafter, the developer began work on its first two titles, Killzone
, in development for Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2
, and Shellshock: Nam '67
, in development for Eidos Interactive
, also for the PlayStation 2
as well as Microsoft
's Xbox
and the PC
.
Both titles would release the following year to lukewarm reviews and reception, however Killzone
enjoyed immense pre-release hype and anticipation, and despite the backfire effect much of this media coverage caused and the lackluster reviews the title received, went on to sell over a million copies worldwide, earning Greatest Hits and Platinum
status in North America
and Europe
respectively. Thanks in part to this success, Guerrilla signed an exclusive development agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment
in late 2004, that would see future development at the company exist solely for Sony's line of video game consoles, the PlayStation 2
, PlayStation Portable
and the PlayStation 3
. Shellshock sold over 900,000 copies. A sequel
was developed by Rebellion Developments
.
In May 2005, the developer enjoyed yet another massive influx of attention and interest, both positive and controversial, after the release of a pre-rendered trailer of its upcoming Killzone sequel, Killzone 2 for the PlayStation 3
, at the unveiling of the new console at Sony's press conference during the E3 video game trade show that year. The hysteria and skepticism surrounding both the game and its initial unveiling still resonates to this day, and has vaulted Guerrilla to the forefront of developers within Sony Computer Entertainment
, despite the company's short history and small catalog of past titles.
In December of that year, Sony Computer Entertainment
announced the acquisition of Guerrilla Games from then parent company Media Republic, making the developer a wholly owned first party studio within the publisher. Guerrilla has since gone on to release Killzone: Liberation
for the PlayStation Portable
in October 2006, Killzone 2 for the PlayStation 3
in February 2009, and Killzone 3
for the Playstation 3
in February 2011. It has been reported that Guerilla is working on a first person shooter game.
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
and wholly owned subsidiary
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
of Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
. The company is based in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, currently employs approximately 150 individuals, and is headed by managing director Hermen Hulst and development director Arjan Brussee
Arjan Brussee
Arjan Brussee is a Dutch computer game programmer. He's notable for being the main coder behind both Jazz Jackrabbit games. His latest work was Killzone 2 at Guerrilla Games as a development director. He is often credited with being the first successful Dutch game developer, sometimes mentioned as...
.
The developer is best known for its Killzone series
Killzone (series)
Killzone is a series of shooter games exclusively for Sony Computer Entertainment's video game consoles. The series is developed by Guerilla Games, a subsidiary of SCE. Killlzone consists of four games for the PlayStation 2, the PlayStation Portable, Playstation Vita and the PlayStation 3...
; exclusive to PlayStation. The most recent game in the series, Killzone 3
Killzone 3
Killzone 3 is a 2011 first-person shooter for the PlayStation 3, developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the fourth installment in the Killzone series, the first game in the series to be presented in 3D and the first to include motion controls using the...
, was first released in North America on February 22, 2011. On August 18, 2010 during a press briefing at Gamescom
Gamescom
gamescom is a trade fair for video games held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is organised by the Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware...
in Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, managing director Herman Hulst confirmed that Guerrilla Games' next title would be an all-new intellectual property
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
, making it Guerrilla's first game not based on the Killzone series since Shellshock: Nam '67
Shellshock: Nam '67
Shellshock: Nam '67 is a third-person shooter set during the Vietnam War in which the player takes control of a newly drafted U.S. soldier. It was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC platforms on September 14, 2004. It was published by Eidos Interactive and developed by Guerrilla...
.
History
Prior to the acquisition of Guerrilla by Sony Computer EntertainmentSony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
, the developer was a subsidiary of the large Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
multimedia conglomerate Lost Boys
Lost Boys
Lost Boys is the first horror novel and short story by author Orson Scott Card.-Plot summary of novel:The novel, set in 1983, revolves around a game programmer and his family. His claim to fame is a fictional Atari computer game called Hacker Snack...
, and operated under the moniker Lost Boys Games. The developer was formed as a result of a merger between 3 separate Dutch-based developers, including Orange Games, founded by Arjan Brussee
Arjan Brussee
Arjan Brussee is a Dutch computer game programmer. He's notable for being the main coder behind both Jazz Jackrabbit games. His latest work was Killzone 2 at Guerrilla Games as a development director. He is often credited with being the first successful Dutch game developer, sometimes mentioned as...
, and Digital Infinity
Digital Infinity
Digital Infinity used to be a games development company based in Haarlem, the Netherlands, founded by Arnout van der Kamp. The company was founded in January 1995, and later merged into Lost Boys Games in 2000, which eventually became Guerrilla Games in 2003.Digital Infinity gained exposure by the...
, founded by Arnout van der Kamp. Over the next 3 and a half years, Lost Boys Games would release four titles, two each for Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
's Game Boy Color
Game Boy Color
The is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
and Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
handheld gaming consoles.
In mid 2003, due to a variety of mergers and corporate reshuffling, the gaming unit was sold off to Media Republic, a new media venture by original Lost Boys' founder Michiel Mol
Michiel Mol
Michiel Mol is a Dutch businessman and the director of the Force India Formula One team.-Early life and career:...
, and in July of that year was renamed to Guerrilla Games. Shortly thereafter, the developer began work on its first two titles, Killzone
Killzone
Killzone is a first-person shooter exclusive to the PlayStation 2 game console, developed by Netherlands-based Guerrilla Games and released on November 2, 2004 in North America. A sequel, Killzone: Liberation was released on the PlayStation Portable and another followup, Killzone 2 was released for...
, in development for Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, and Shellshock: Nam '67
Shellshock: Nam '67
Shellshock: Nam '67 is a third-person shooter set during the Vietnam War in which the player takes control of a newly drafted U.S. soldier. It was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC platforms on September 14, 2004. It was published by Eidos Interactive and developed by Guerrilla...
, in development for Eidos Interactive
Eidos Interactive
Eidos Interactive Ltd. is a British video game publisher and is a label of Square Enix Europe. As an independent company Eidos plc was headquartered in the Wimbledon Bridge House in Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton....
, also for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
as well as Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
and the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
.
Both titles would release the following year to lukewarm reviews and reception, however Killzone
Killzone
Killzone is a first-person shooter exclusive to the PlayStation 2 game console, developed by Netherlands-based Guerrilla Games and released on November 2, 2004 in North America. A sequel, Killzone: Liberation was released on the PlayStation Portable and another followup, Killzone 2 was released for...
enjoyed immense pre-release hype and anticipation, and despite the backfire effect much of this media coverage caused and the lackluster reviews the title received, went on to sell over a million copies worldwide, earning Greatest Hits and Platinum
Platinum range
The Platinum Range is a Sony PlayStation budget range in the PAL regions, notably Europe , Australia, New Zealand, India, and Africa...
status in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
respectively. Thanks in part to this success, Guerrilla signed an exclusive development agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
in late 2004, that would see future development at the company exist solely for Sony's line of video game consoles, the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
and the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. Shellshock sold over 900,000 copies. A sequel
Shellshock 2: Blood Trails
Shellshock 2: Blood Trails is a first-person shooter video game developed by Rebellion Developments and published by Eidos Interactive for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. It is the sequel to Shellshock: Nam '67, developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Eidos in 2004...
was developed by Rebellion Developments
Rebellion Developments
Rebellion is a British computer games company, based in Oxford, who are most famous for the first Aliens vs. Predator computer game. It has published comic books since 2000 and launched its own book imprint, Abaddon Books, in 2006.-History:...
.
In May 2005, the developer enjoyed yet another massive influx of attention and interest, both positive and controversial, after the release of a pre-rendered trailer of its upcoming Killzone sequel, Killzone 2 for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, at the unveiling of the new console at Sony's press conference during the E3 video game trade show that year. The hysteria and skepticism surrounding both the game and its initial unveiling still resonates to this day, and has vaulted Guerrilla to the forefront of developers within Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
, despite the company's short history and small catalog of past titles.
In December of that year, Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
announced the acquisition of Guerrilla Games from then parent company Media Republic, making the developer a wholly owned first party studio within the publisher. Guerrilla has since gone on to release Killzone: Liberation
Killzone: Liberation
Received IGN's award for Best PSP Offline Multiplayer Game of 2006 .-External links:**...
for the PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
in October 2006, Killzone 2 for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
in February 2009, and Killzone 3
Killzone 3
Killzone 3 is a 2011 first-person shooter for the PlayStation 3, developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the fourth installment in the Killzone series, the first game in the series to be presented in 3D and the first to include motion controls using the...
for the Playstation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
in February 2011. It has been reported that Guerilla is working on a first person shooter game.
As Lost Boys Games
| Game title | Year released | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Rhino Rumble | 2000 | Game Boy Color Game Boy Color The is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than... |
| SpongeBob SquarePants | 2000 | PlayStation |
| Tiny Toon Adventures: Dizzy's Candy Quest Tiny Toon Adventures: Dizzy's Candy Quest Tiny Toon Adventures: Dizzy's Candy Quest was the second Tiny Toon Adventures-related game released on the Nintendo Game Boy Color. It was released in October, 2001 and was developed by Lost Boys Games and published by Conspiracy Games.-Storyline:... |
2001 | Game Boy Color |
| Invader | 2002 | Game Boy Advance Game Boy Advance The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China... |
| Black Belt Challenge | 2002 | Game Boy Advance |
As Guerilla Games
| Game title | Year released | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Shellshock: Nam '67 Shellshock: Nam '67 Shellshock: Nam '67 is a third-person shooter set during the Vietnam War in which the player takes control of a newly drafted U.S. soldier. It was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC platforms on September 14, 2004. It was published by Eidos Interactive and developed by Guerrilla... |
2004 | Windows Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal... , PlayStation 2 PlayStation 2 The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan... , Xbox Xbox The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console... |
| Killzone Killzone Killzone is a first-person shooter exclusive to the PlayStation 2 game console, developed by Netherlands-based Guerrilla Games and released on November 2, 2004 in North America. A sequel, Killzone: Liberation was released on the PlayStation Portable and another followup, Killzone 2 was released for... |
2004 | PlayStation 2 |
| Killzone: Liberation Killzone: Liberation Received IGN's award for Best PSP Offline Multiplayer Game of 2006 .-External links:**... |
2006 | PlayStation Portable PlayStation Portable The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004... |
| Killzone 2 | 2009 | PlayStation 3 PlayStation 3 The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles... |
| Killzone 3 Killzone 3 Killzone 3 is a 2011 first-person shooter for the PlayStation 3, developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the fourth installment in the Killzone series, the first game in the series to be presented in 3D and the first to include motion controls using the... |
2011 | PlayStation 3 |
| New IP | TBA | PlayStation 3 |
| Killzone 4 | TBA | TBA |