Kuju Entertainment
Encyclopedia
Kuju Entertainment is an English
computer and video game corporation
consisting of three studios, two of which are located in the UK: Zoë Mode
(Brighton), Headstrong Games (London), and one in the Czech Republic: Vatra games
(Brno). Each studio concentrates on a specific theme or genre.
Historically Headstrong Games has focused on "Character Action" games with releases on the Wii
with House of the Dead: Overkill and Battalion Wars 2
. More recently it has released the Art Academy
series of titles on the Nintendo DS
.
Vatra Games
is the newest development group within the Kuju family of studios and is located in the Czech Republic. The focus is on action titles for the Xbox® 360, PLAYSTATION®3 and PC. Vatra is currently working on Silent Hill: Downpour and one unannounced title.
Zoë Mode
makes music and party videogames, including the SingStar
and Disney Sing It
franchises but has also released games such as Chime (video game)
and Crush (video game)
. Zoe Mode
is currently hard at work on the next title in the Zumba
fitness series.
from Eidos Interactive
. They have collaborated with the majority of top tier publishers and continue to develop for all the major platforms. Kuju helped develop EyeToy: Play 2
and EyeToy: Play 3
for the PlayStation 2, the multiplayer mode in Call of Duty: Finest Hour
, Battalion Wars
for the Nintendo GameCube
, and Battalion Wars 2
for the Wii
, as well as the multiplayer component of Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
for PC. Kuju also developed the 2006 remake of Sensible Soccer
.
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.
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 0.25 GBP for each Kuju share, with a total value of approximately £4.375 million (6.53 million euro
). Kuju's board of directors has unanimously recommended the offer to shareholders.
On 1 March 2007, Kuju's Brighton development studio underwent a rebranding from Wide Games 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.
On 22 May 2007 it was announced that Kuju would be working on a much expanded sequel to Geometry Wars
, called Geometry Wars: Galaxies
, for the Wii
and Nintendo 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.
On 1 January 2008, Kuju announced the opening of its first US office in San Francisco run by John Kavanagh, erstwhile head of development at Domark
and Eidos Interactive
.
On 29 July 2008, Kuju announced a name change for its studio in London. Named Headstrong Games, it was initially focused on Wii titles, releasing The House of the Dead: Overkill
for Sega and Aragorn's Quest for WB. Recent releases include the million selling Nintendo DS title, Art Academy.
On 21 October 2008, Kuju announced the acquisition of Matahari Studios in Manila, Philippines. The developer has been rebranded as Kuju Manila and will primarily support the projects of Kuju's other seven studios.
On 07 April 2010, Kuju announces that Nigel Robbins takes over the CEO role as Jonathan Newth and Ian Baverstock step down to become non-exec directors.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
computer and video game corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
consisting of three studios, two of which are located in the UK: Zoë Mode
Zoë Mode
Zoë Mode is a subsidiary of Kuju Entertainment based in Brighton and London that develops music and party video games. The studio was formed in 2007 when it was rebranded from Kuju Brighton, itself formed from the remnants of Wide Games. On 1 September 2008, Zoë Mode opened a sister studio in...
(Brighton), Headstrong Games (London), and one in the Czech Republic: Vatra games
Vatra Games
Vatra Games is a video game development company, its parent company is Kuju Entertainment. Vatra is based in the city of Brno in the Czech Republic and specializes on the FPS and action genres....
(Brno). Each studio concentrates on a specific theme or genre.
Historically Headstrong Games has focused on "Character Action" games with releases on the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
with House of the Dead: Overkill and Battalion Wars 2
Battalion Wars 2
Battalion Wars 2 is a video game for the Wii console. It is a sequel to the Nintendo GameCube title Battalion Wars. The game was officially announced August 23, 2006 at the Leipzig Games Convention. It was developed by Kuju Entertainment, which also developed the GameCube predecessor, and was...
. More recently it has released the Art Academy
Art Academy
Art Academy, also known as Art Academy: Learn painting and drawing techniques with step-by-step training in the PAL regions and in Japan, is an art training software for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It was developed by Headstrong Games, and published by Nintendo...
series of titles on the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
.
Vatra Games
Vatra Games
Vatra Games is a video game development company, its parent company is Kuju Entertainment. Vatra is based in the city of Brno in the Czech Republic and specializes on the FPS and action genres....
is the newest development group within the Kuju family of studios and is located in the Czech Republic. The focus is on action titles for the Xbox® 360, PLAYSTATION®3 and PC. Vatra is currently working on Silent Hill: Downpour and one unannounced title.
Zoë Mode
Zoë Mode
Zoë Mode is a subsidiary of Kuju Entertainment based in Brighton and London that develops music and party video games. The studio was formed in 2007 when it was rebranded from Kuju Brighton, itself formed from the remnants of Wide Games. On 1 September 2008, Zoë Mode opened a sister studio in...
makes music and party videogames, including the SingStar
SingStar
SingStar is a competitive music video game series for PlayStation consoles, developed by London Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. 23 English-language instalments of the series have been released for the PlayStation 2, and six versions for the PlayStation 3 have been released...
and Disney Sing It
Disney Sing It
Disney Sing It is a karaoke video game and sequel to High School Musical: Sing It!. It was released on October 28, 2008 across multiple platforms...
franchises but has also released games such as Chime (video game)
Chime (video game)
Chime is a 2010 music/puzzle video game developed by Zoë Mode, released initially on the Xbox Live Arcade service, and later for Windows. An extended version of the game, called Chime Super Deluxe, was released on the PlayStation Network in March 29, 2011...
and Crush (video game)
Crush (video game)
Crush is a platformer-puzzle video game developed by Kuju Entertainment's Zoë Mode studio and published by Sega in 2007 for the PlayStation Portable. Its protagonist is Danny, a teenager suffering from insomnia, who uses an experimental device to explore his mind and discover the cause of his...
. Zoe Mode
Zoë Mode
Zoë Mode is a subsidiary of Kuju Entertainment based in Brighton and London that develops music and party video games. The studio was formed in 2007 when it was rebranded from Kuju Brighton, itself formed from the remnants of Wide Games. On 1 September 2008, Zoë Mode opened a sister studio in...
is currently hard at work on the next title in the Zumba
Zumba
Zumba is the largest dance fitness program in the world, based on a Latin-inspired dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez in Colombia during the 1990s....
fitness series.
History
Kuju Entertainment was formed after a management buyout of SimisSimis
Simis was a computer game development company founded by Jonathan Newth,Chris Tubbs, Dave Payne and Ian Baverstock in 1989. In 1995 Simis merged with Eidos Technologies, Domark and Big Red Software to form the Eidos Interactive group....
from 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....
. They have collaborated with the majority of top tier publishers and continue to develop for all the major platforms. Kuju helped develop EyeToy: Play 2
EyeToy: Play 2
EyeToy: Play 2 is the second PlayStation 2 game in the EyeToy: Play series. It uses EyeToy camera technology to project the player on to the television screen, allowing them to interact with on screen objects. The game contains twelve new minigames, that allow for single or multi-player modes...
and EyeToy: Play 3
EyeToy: Play 3
EyeToy: Play 3 is the third game in the EyeToy: Play series. Up to four players can play just like the previous games. There are many new mini games such as beach volleyball and bowling.-Game list:* Volleyball* Bowling* Touchdown* DJ* Be The Band...
for the PlayStation 2, the multiplayer mode in Call of Duty: Finest Hour
Call of Duty: Finest Hour
Call of Duty: Finest Hour is a first-person shooter developed for the Xbox, PlayStation 2 and GameCube. It was released on 16 November 2004. It was the first console installment of Call of Duty, developed by Spark Unlimited and published by Activision. It was followed up by a sequel, Call of Duty...
, Battalion Wars
Battalion Wars
Battalion Wars, originally to be titled as Advance Wars: Under Fire, part of Nintendo's Wars series, is a real-time tactics game for the Nintendo GameCube. A sequel, Battalion Wars 2, for the Wii, has also been released.-Gameplay:...
for the Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
, and Battalion Wars 2
Battalion Wars 2
Battalion Wars 2 is a video game for the Wii console. It is a sequel to the Nintendo GameCube title Battalion Wars. The game was officially announced August 23, 2006 at the Leipzig Games Convention. It was developed by Kuju Entertainment, which also developed the GameCube predecessor, and was...
for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
, as well as the multiplayer component of Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, additionally subtitled Elements on Xbox 360, is a first-person action game developed by Arkane Studios and Floodgate Entertainment. Kuju Entertainment developed the multiplayer mode...
for PC. Kuju also developed the 2006 remake of Sensible Soccer
Sensible Soccer
Sensible Soccer, often affectionately known as Sensi, is an association football video game series which was highly popular in the early 1990s and which still retains a cult following...
.
In 2007 Kuju Entertainment developed Rail Simulator
Rail Simulator
Rail Simulator is a train simulation published by Electronic Arts . It was produced by UK based Kuju Entertainment, the company which developed Microsoft Train Simulator with Microsoft...
for PC (a spiritual successor to Microsoft Train Simulator
Microsoft Train Simulator
Microsoft Train Simulator is a train simulator for Microsoft Windows, released in July 2001 and developed by UK based Kuju Entertainment, and is available for purchase through Amazon.com.-Gameplay:...
), and EyeToy Play Sports for the PS2. A PSP
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...
title, Traxion
Traxion (video game)
Traxion was a rhythm game for the PlayStation Portable by British developer Kuju Entertainment. It was scheduled to be released in Q4 2006 by LucasArts, but was cancelled in January 2007. The game was to feature a number of minigames, and would support imported songs from the player's own library...
, was cancelled in January 2007.
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 0.25 GBP for each Kuju share, with a total value of approximately £4.375 million (6.53 million euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
). Kuju's board of directors has unanimously recommended the offer to shareholders.
On 1 March 2007, Kuju's Brighton development studio underwent a rebranding from Wide Games 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.
On 22 May 2007 it was announced that Kuju would be working on a much expanded sequel to Geometry Wars
Geometry Wars
Geometry Wars is a minigame created by Bizarre Creations as part of Project Gotham Racing 2 for the Xbox, accessible through the in-game garage. An updated version of the game, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, is available for download on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade. It can also be played in...
, called Geometry Wars: Galaxies
Geometry Wars: Galaxies
Geometry Wars: Galaxies is a multidirectional shooter video game created by Bizarre Creations and Kuju Entertainment, which was released on Nintendo's Wii and DS consoles in November 2007. Galaxies is a sequel to Geometry Wars, which was originally included as a bonus game within Project Gotham...
, for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
and Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
.
On 25 June 2007, it was announced that Kuju has re-branded its Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
studio as Chemistry and will be specialising in developing games based on the Unreal Engine 3.
On 1 January 2008, Kuju announced the opening of its first US office in San Francisco run by John Kavanagh, erstwhile head of development at Domark
Domark
Domark Software was a video games software house based in the United Kingdom. The name was derived from the given names of its founders, Dominic Wheatley and Mark Strachan...
and 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....
.
On 29 July 2008, Kuju announced a name change for its studio in London. Named Headstrong Games, it was initially focused on Wii titles, releasing The House of the Dead: Overkill
The House of the Dead: Overkill
The House of the Dead: Overkill is a first-person rail shooter video game developed by Headstrong Games and published by Sega. It is the fifth game developed in the The House of the Dead series, a prequel to the original House of the Dead chronologically and the first in the series to be released...
for Sega and Aragorn's Quest for WB. Recent releases include the million selling Nintendo DS title, Art Academy.
On 21 October 2008, Kuju announced the acquisition of Matahari Studios in Manila, Philippines. The developer has been rebranded as Kuju Manila and will primarily support the projects of Kuju's other seven studios.
On 07 April 2010, Kuju announces that Nigel Robbins takes over the CEO role as Jonathan Newth and Ian Baverstock step down to become non-exec directors.
Notable works
- Microsoft Train SimulatorMicrosoft Train SimulatorMicrosoft Train Simulator is a train simulator for Microsoft Windows, released in July 2001 and developed by UK based Kuju Entertainment, and is available for purchase through Amazon.com.-Gameplay:...
(2001) - SingStarSingStarSingStar is a competitive music video game series for PlayStation consoles, developed by London Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. 23 English-language instalments of the series have been released for the PlayStation 2, and six versions for the PlayStation 3 have been released...
(with SCE London StudioSCE London StudioLondon Studio is an in-house Sony Computer Entertainment developer located in London. Established in 1993, London Studio is Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s largest internal development studio, with staff working in a purpose designed 7-storey building located in London's Soho district...
) (2002) - Fire Warrior (2003)
- Conspiracy: Weapons of Mass Destruction (2005)
- Sensible Soccer 2006 (2006)
- Geometry Wars: GalaxiesGeometry Wars: GalaxiesGeometry Wars: Galaxies is a multidirectional shooter video game created by Bizarre Creations and Kuju Entertainment, which was released on Nintendo's Wii and DS consoles in November 2007. Galaxies is a sequel to Geometry Wars, which was originally included as a bonus game within Project Gotham...
(with Bizarre CreationsBizarre CreationsBizarre Creations was a video game development studio, best known for their racing titles: Metropolis Street Racer and the followup Project Gotham Racing series . The company has also developed games in other genres, including the Geometry Wars arcade series, plus third-person shooters Fur...
) (2007) - Battalion Wars 2Battalion Wars 2Battalion Wars 2 is a video game for the Wii console. It is a sequel to the Nintendo GameCube title Battalion Wars. The game was officially announced August 23, 2006 at the Leipzig Games Convention. It was developed by Kuju Entertainment, which also developed the GameCube predecessor, and was...
(2007) - Rail SimulatorRail SimulatorRail Simulator is a train simulation published by Electronic Arts . It was produced by UK based Kuju Entertainment, the company which developed Microsoft Train Simulator with Microsoft...
(2007) (later renamed Railworks in 2009) - You're in the MoviesYou're in the Moviesis a party game for the Xbox 360 that is bundled with the Xbox Live Vision Camera, developed by Zoë Mode. It was released by Codemasters in the United States and the United Kingdom in 2008, and in Australia and Japan in 2009. The game is a process of filming a movie on one of the 30 scenarios that...
(2008) - The House of the Dead: OverkillThe House of the Dead: OverkillThe House of the Dead: Overkill is a first-person rail shooter video game developed by Headstrong Games and published by Sega. It is the fifth game developed in the The House of the Dead series, a prequel to the original House of the Dead chronologically and the first in the series to be released...
(2009) - Art AcademyArt AcademyArt Academy, also known as Art Academy: Learn painting and drawing techniques with step-by-step training in the PAL regions and in Japan, is an art training software for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It was developed by Headstrong Games, and published by Nintendo...
(2009-2010) - The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's QuestThe Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's QuestThe Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest is a two player, third-person action adventure video game developed by Headstrong Games for Wii and TT Fusion for Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. It is the first The Lord of the Rings game to be released by Warner Bros...
(WiiWiiThe Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
) (2010) - Chime Super Deluxe (PSN) (2011)
- Rush 'N Attack: Ex-Patriot (Xbox Live ArcadeXbox Live ArcadeXbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
PSN) (2011)