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Empire Interactive#Xplosiv

{{Short description|British video game company}}

{{Redirect|Xplosiv|the album by La Mafia|Xplosiv (La Mafia album)}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Empire Interactive

| logo = Empire Interactive Logo.png

| type = Subsidiary

| industry = Video games

| fate = Administration

| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1987}}

| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Ian Higgins|Simon Jeffrey}}

| defunct = {{End date|df=yes|2009|05|01}}

| hq_location_city = London

| hq_location_country = England

| area_served = Europe

| key_people = Ian Higgins (CEO; 1987–2008)

| products =

| num_employees = 55

| num_employees_year = 2009

| parent = Silverstar Holdings (2006–2009)

}}

Empire Interactive was a British video game developer and publisher based in London. Founded in 1987 by Ian Higgins and Simon Jeffrey, it was acquired by Silverstar Holdings in 2006 and collapsed in 2009.

History

Empire Interactive was founded by Ian Higgins (chief executive officer) and Simon Jeffrey (managing director) in 1987. In November 2000, the company acquired development studio Razorworks.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Trey |date=21 November 2000 |title=Empire Interactive Acquires Razorworks |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/empire-interactive-acquires-razorworks/1100-2657048/ |website=GameSpot}}

As well as full priced titles, Empire also had a budget range of titles, Xplosiv, for PC and PS2.{{Cite web |last=Empire Interactive |date=24 Jan 2005 |title=Corporate |url=http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050124013701/http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/ |archive-date=24 January 2005 |url-status=usurped |website=Empire Interactive}} Initially launched for PC in January 2000, Xplosiv also published titles in Europe from third parties such as Sega and Microsoft.{{Cite web |last=Empire Interactive |date=October 2000 |title=Empire signs exclusive budget deal with Sega Enterprises for its budget range, Xplosiv |url=http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/files/pdfs/xplosivsegaoct2000.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825142921/http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/files/pdfs/xplosivsegaoct2000.pdf |archive-date=25 August 2006 |url-status=usurped |website=Empire Interactive}}{{Cite web |date=20 September 2004 |title=Empire Adds Momentous Value to Xplosiv Range |url=http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/files/pdfs/MicrosoftbudgetagreementSept%202004.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901230051/http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/files/pdfs/MicrosoftbudgetagreementSept%202004.pdf |archive-date=1 September 2006 |access-date=22 December 2020 |url-status=usurped |website=Empire Interactive}} Later, in 2003, Empire began launching titles for PS2.{{Cite web |date=2 May 2003 |title=Empire's Xplosiv business expands into PlayStation 2 |url=http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/files/pdfs/ps2budget.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113005924/http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/files/pdfs/ps2budget.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2004 |access-date=22 December 2020 |url-status=usurped |website=Empire Interactive}}

In March 2002 Empire acquired music creation software eJay.{{Cite web |title=Empire Acquires eJay |url=http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/files/pdfs/ejayfinalised.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902113906/http://www.empireinteractive.com/corporate/files/pdfs/ejayfinalised.pdf |archive-date=2 September 2006 |access-date=22 December 2020 |url-status=usurped |website=Empire Interactive}} The company sold internal development studio Strangelite, responsible for Starship Troopers (2005) and various PC ports of Sega games, to Rebellion Developments on 1 June 2006.{{cite news |last1=Jenkins |first1=David |title=Rebellion Acquires Strangelite From Empire |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/rebellion-acquires-strangelite-from-empire |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=Gamasutra |date=1 June 2006 |language=en}}

Silverstar Holdings, a U.S. public company listed on NASDAQ, offered a deal to acquire Empire Interactive in late October 2006.{{Cite web |last=Boyes |first=Emma |date=30 October 2006 |title=Silverstar to acquire Empire |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/silverstar-to-acquire-empire/1100-6160663/ |website=GameSpot}} The deal was accepted by 90% of Empire Interactive's shareholders by late November, and so Silverstar Holdings acquired 85% of Empire Interactive's shares. The deal was valued at approximately {{GBP|4.5 million|link=yes}}. Admissions of further Empire Interactive shares on the Alternative Investments Market of the London Stock Exchange, were expected to be cancelled, effective by 20 December.{{Cite web |last=Boyes |first=Emma |date=22 November 2006 |title=Empire Interactive accepts Silverstar takeover |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/empire-interactive-accepts-silverstar-takeover/1100-6162247/ |website=GameSpot}}{{Cite web |last=Boyer |first=Brandon |date=4 December 2006 |title=Empire Accepts 90% Acquisition From Silverstar |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/empire-accepts-90-acquisition-from-silverstar |website=Gamasutra}} Higgins stepped down from his position in May 2008.{{Cite web |last=MCV Staff |date=1 May 2008 |title=Empire Interactive co-founder stands down |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/empire-interactive-co-founder-stands-down/ |website=MCV}}{{Cite web |last=Androvich |first=Mark |date=1 May 2008 |title=Empire CEO steps down |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/empire-ceo-steps-down |website=GamesIndustry.biz}} In July, Empire Interactive reduced its staff count by 30%, with the intent to sell Razorworks.{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=David |date=3 July 2008 |title=Empire Interactive Cuts Staff, Will Sell Studio |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/empire-interactive-cuts-staff-will-sell-studio |website=Gamasutra}} Razorworks was sold to and absorbed by Rebellion Developments a few days later.{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Phil |date=19 July 2008 |title=Rebellion acquires Razorworks |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/rebellion-acquires-razorworks |website=GamesIndustry.biz}} Two months after Silverstar Holdings was delisted from NASDAQ in March 2009, Empire Interactive was placed into administration on 1 May 2009, with KPMG Restructuring appointed as administrator. Subsequently, 49 out of 55 employees were laid off, with the remaining six staying to aiding KPMG Restructuring in the winding-down of the company. Empire Interactive's intellectual property was sold to U.S.-based company New World IP.{{Cite web |last=MCV Staff |date=5 May 2009 |title=Confirmed: Empire goes into administration |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/confirmed-empire-goes-into-administration/ |website=MCV}}{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Matt |date=5 May 2009 |title=Empire IP rights sold as 49 staff made redundant |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/empire-ip-rights-sold-as-49-staff-made-redundant |website=GamesIndustry.biz}} Shortly thereafter, U.S. publisher Zoo Publishing acquired an exclusive licence for the publishing and distribution of Empire Interactive from New World IP.{{Cite web |last=Graft |first=Kris |date=7 May 2009 |title=Zoo Publishing Picks Up Empire Slate |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/zoo-publishing-picks-up-empire-slate |website=Gamasutra}}{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Randy |date=7 May 2009 |title=Empire Interactive's catalog sold to Zoo |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/05/07/empire-interactives-catalog-sold-to-zoo/ |website=Engadget}}

Games

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References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108094925/http://www.empireinteractive.com/|date=8 January 2009|title=Official website}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom

Category:Video game companies established in 1987

Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2009

Category:Defunct video game companies of the United Kingdom

Category:Video game development companies

Category:Video game publishers

Category:Defunct companies based in London