Bluepoint Games
{{Short description|American video game developer}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Bluepoint Games Inc.
| logo = Bluepoint Games logo.svg
| type = Subsidiary
| industry = Video games
| founded = {{Start date and age|2006}}
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Andy O'Neil|Marco Thrush}}
| hq_location_city = Austin, Texas
| hq_location_country = US
| key_people = Marco Thrush (president){{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-acquires-bluepoint-next-game-playstation-exclusive |title=PlayStation Officially Acquires Bluepoint Games, Next Game Planned to Be an Original, Not a Remake |first=Jonathon |last=Dornbush |date=September 30, 2021 |access-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930161732/https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-acquires-bluepoint-next-game-playstation-exclusive |url-status=live}}
| products = {{Unbulleted list|Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection|Shadow of the Colossus|Demon's Souls}}
| num_employees = ≈80{{Cite web |title=Bluepoint Games |url=https://www.bluepointgames.com/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=BluepointGames.com}}
| num_employees_year = 2023
| parent = PlayStation Studios (2021–present)
| website = {{URL|https://www.bluepointgames.com/|bluepointgames.com}}
}}
Bluepoint Games Inc. is an American video game developer based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2006 by Andy O'Neil and Marco Thrush, the studio is known for video game remasters and remakes, such as Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (2015), Shadow of the Colossus (2018), and Demon's Souls (2020). Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired the company in September 2021, making them a first-party developer for PlayStation Studios.
History
Bluepoint Games was founded in 2006 by Andy O'Neil and Marco Thrush, two former Retro Studios employees who had worked on Metroid Prime. The studio's first game, Blast Factor, was released later that year.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/28/who-is-bluepoint-games |title=Who Is Bluepoint Games? |first=Mitch |last=Dyer |date=January 28, 2014 |website=IGN |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513092338/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/28/who-is-bluepoint-games |url-status=live}} In August 2009, Sony Computer Entertainment announced that remastered versions of God of War and God of War II would be coming to the PlayStation 3 as God of War Collection.{{cite web |last=Yoon |first=Andrew |title=God of War Collection coming to PS3 this holiday |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/god-of-war-collection-coming-to-ps3-this-holiday |publisher=Joystiq |access-date=August 31, 2009 |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128153541/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/god-of-war-collection-coming-to-ps3-this-holiday/ |url-status=live}} The ports were handled by Bluepoint and released on November 17, 2009, in North America.{{Cite web |title=God of War Collection strikes PS3 Nov. 17 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-collection-strikes-ps3-nov-17/1100-6238169/ |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=October 27, 2009 |website=GameSpot |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608032708/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-collection-strikes-ps3-nov-17/1100-6238169/ |url-status=live}} The studio's remasters of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus as The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection for the PlayStation 3 were released in September 2011.{{cite web |url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/09/15/ico-and-shadow-of-the-colossus-collection-hits-ps3-spring-2011-with-3d/ |title=Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection hits PS3 Spring 2011 with 3D |last=Shuman |first=Sid |date=September 15, 2010 |work=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |access-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607180338/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/09/15/ico-and-shadow-of-the-colossus-collection-hits-ps3-spring-2011-with-3d/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/06/07/ico-shadow-of-the-colossus-classics-hd-coming-28-september/ |title=ICO & Shadow Of The Colossus Classics HD Coming 28 September |last=Lynch |first=Phil |date=June 7, 2011 |work=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |access-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307122654/https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2011/06/07/ico-shadow-of-the-colossus-classics-hd-coming-28-september/ |url-status=live}} Years later, in 2018, Bluepoint would remake Shadow of the Colossus for the PlayStation 4.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec6t1xyuLzU |title=How Bluepoint Rebuilt Shadow Of The Colossus For PS4 |date=December 15, 2017 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-date=January 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131002352/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec6t1xyuLzU |url-status=live}} The studio also handled the remastered HD versions of Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance and Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence included in the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, which was released on November 8, 2011.{{Cite web |title=Review: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-metal-gear-solid-hd-collection-215893.phtml |last=Sterling |first=Jim |date=November 15, 2011 |website=Destructoid |access-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224223848/https://www.destructoid.com/review-metal-gear-solid-hd-collection-215893.phtml |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Leadbetter |first=Richard |date=March 17, 2012 |title=Tech Analysis: Metal Gear Solid Remastered |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-tech-analysis-metal-gear-remastered |website=Eurogamer |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121034243/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-tech-analysis-metal-gear-remastered |url-status=live}}
Bluepoint collaborated with SuperBot Entertainment to develop PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (2012), which was built on Bluepoint's proprietary engine.{{Cite web |title=Q&A: How Sony simultaneously develops the same game for PS3 and Vita |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/qa-how-sony-simultaneously-develops-the-same-game-for-ps3-and-vita/ |last=Lanxon |first=Nate |date=September 23, 2012 |website=Ars Technica |access-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607085159/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/qa-how-sony-simultaneously-develops-the-same-game-for-ps3-and-vita/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=PlayStation All Stars - Overview |url=https://www.bluepointgames.com/games/playstation-all-stars-2/overview/ |publisher=Bluepoint Games |access-date=May 7, 2020 |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706131113/https://www.bluepointgames.com/games/playstation-all-stars-2/overview/ |url-status=dead}} Bluepoint also ported the game to the PlayStation Vita. The studio collaborated with Santa Monica Studio to port Flower to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in 2013, as well as with Respawn Entertainment to develop the Xbox 360 version of Titanfall (2014).{{Cite web |title=Titanfall developer Respawn finally reveals studio working on Xbox 360 version of their game |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/titanfall-developer-respawn-finally-reveals-studio-working-on-xbox-360-version-of-their-game/1100-6417384/ |last=Haywald |first=Justin |date=January 27, 2014 |website=GameSpot |access-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-date=June 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618073333/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/titanfall-developer-respawn-finally-reveals-studio-working-on-xbox-360-version-of-their-game/1100-6417384/ |url-status=live}} After Titanfall, Bluepoint remastered the three PlayStation 3 releases of the Uncharted franchise to the PlayStation 4 as Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection,{{Cite web |title=Uncharted: Nathan Drake Collection PS4 Bundle Out October 9th |url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/09/04/uncharted-nathan-drake-collection-ps4-bundle-out-october-9th/ |last=Koller |first=John |date=September 4, 2015 |website=PlayStation Blog |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=August 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802084733/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/09/04/uncharted-nathan-drake-collection-ps4-bundle-out-october-9th/ |url-status=live}} as well as Gravity Rush Remastered, which was released in Japan at the end of 2015 and internationally in early 2016.{{Cite web |title=TGS 2015: Gravity Rush will come to PS4 in December; sequel announced for 2016 [Update] |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/91283/tgs-2015-gravity-rush-will-come-to-ps4-in-december-sequel-announced-for-2016-update |last=Mejia |first=Ozzie |date=September 15, 2015 |website=Shacknews |access-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701112116/https://www.shacknews.com/article/91283/tgs-2015-gravity-rush-will-come-to-ps4-in-december-sequel-announced-for-2016-update |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Gravity Rush Remastered Coming to PS4 on February 9th, 2016 |url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/09/15/gravity-rush-remastered-coming-to-ps4-on-february-9th-2016/ |last=Accordino |first=Nick |date=September 15, 2015 |website=PlayStation Blog |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=August 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805064641/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/09/15/gravity-rush-remastered-coming-to-ps4-on-february-9th-2016/ |url-status=live}}
O'Neil died in June 2019 aged 47.{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/06/18/bluepoint-cofounder-obituary/ |title=Bluepoint Games' Co-founder Andy O'Neil dies at age 47 |first=Hunter |last=Wolfe |date=June 18, 2019 |website=VG247 |access-date=May 4, 2020 |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606052047/https://www.vg247.com/2019/06/18/bluepoint-cofounder-obituary/ |url-status=live}} By August 2019, Bluepoint had hired several other former Retro Studios staff.{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/half-of-the-core-metroid-prime-3-team-is-still-at-retro-studios/ |title=Half of the core Metroid Prime 3 team is still at Retro Studios |first=Andy |last=Robinson |date=August 13, 2019 |website=Video Games Chronicle |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109024708/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/half-of-the-core-metroid-prime-3-team-is-still-at-retro-studios/ |url-status=live}} Notable hires include designer Kynan Pearson in July 2013 and artist Elben Schafers in 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/01/26/who-is-now-making-metroid-prime-4-at-retro-studios |title=Who Is Now Making Metroid Prime 4 at Retro Studios? |first=Jordan |last=Sirani |date=January 26, 2019 |website=IGN |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108233705/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/01/26/who-is-now-making-metroid-prime-4-at-retro-studios |url-status=live}} In June 2020, Bluepoint was announced as developing a remake of Demon's Souls. The remake was released as a launch title for PlayStation 5 in November 2020 and received universal acclaim from critics.{{Cite web |last=Gach |first=Ethan |date=June 11, 2020 |title=Demon's Souls Is Being Remade On PS5 |url=https://kotaku.com/demons-souls-is-being-remade-on-ps5-1844001503 |website=Kotaku |access-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004180043/https://kotaku.com/demons-souls-is-being-remade-on-ps5-1844001503 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Demon's Souls |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/demons-souls/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |website=Metacritic |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122153318/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-5/demons-souls |url-status=live}} Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) acquired Bluepoint on September 30, 2021, making it part of PlayStation Studios. SIE had previously leaked its intent to buy the studio in June that year.{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-may-have-accidentally-revealed-that-its-acquired-bluepoint-games/ |title=PlayStation may have accidentally revealed that it's acquired Bluepoint Games |first=Chris |last=Scullion |date=June 29, 2021 |website=Video Games Chronicle |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=June 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629190657/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-may-have-accidentally-revealed-that-its-acquired-bluepoint-games/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/09/sony_finally_confirms_acquisition_of_demons_souls_ps5_dev_bluepoint_games |title=Sony Finally Confirms Acquisition of Demon's Souls PS5 Dev Bluepoint Games |first=Stephen |last=Tailby |date=September 30, 2021 |website=Push Square |access-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930151315/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/09/sony_finally_confirms_acquisition_of_demons_souls_ps5_dev_bluepoint_games |url-status=live}} At the time, Bluepoint and its roughly 70 employees were working on original content. In January 2025, Sony confirmed that it had cancelled a live-service game that had been in development at Bluepoint Games.{{Cite web |last=McEvoy |first=Sophie |date=17 January 2025 |title=Sony confirms cancellation of live service projects from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sony-confirms-cancellation-of-live-service-projects-from-bend-studio-and-bluepoint-games |access-date=18 January 2025 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}
Games developed
= Support =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Platform(s) ! scope="col" | Publisher(s) ! scope="col" | Note(s) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | 2012
| PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale | PlayStation Vita | rowspan="2" | Sony Computer Entertainment | PlayStation Vita port |
| scope="row" | 2013
| Flower | PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita | PlayStation 4 & PlayStation Vita ports |
| scope="row" | 2014
| Xbox 360 | Xbox 360 port |
| scope="row" | 2022
| PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Additional work |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{PlayStation Studios}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2006 establishments in Texas
Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions
Category:American companies established in 2006
Category:Companies based in Austin, Texas
Category:First-party video game developers
Category:Video game companies based in Texas