JumpStart Games

File:Knowledge Adventure 1992 logo.png

From 1991 to 1994, Knowledge Adventure created DOS games.{{cite web

| url = https://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/jumpstart-games-inc/offset,0/so,1d/list-games/

| title = Game Browser » Jumpstart Games, Inc.

| website = mobygames.com

| publisher = MobyGames

| access-date = 2021-04-15

| quote = }}

On November 5, 1996, CUC International announced that it would acquire Knowledge Adventure;{{cite news|last=Kaplan|first= Karen|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-06-fi-61744-story.html|title=CUC Will Buy Knowledge Adventure|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=November 6, 1996|access-date=September 3, 2020}} the acquisition was completed on February 3, 1997.{{cite press release|url=http://www.cucsoftware.com/press/kaacq.html|title=CUC International Completes Acquisition of Knowledge Adventure|publisher=CUC International|date=February 3, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970714182108/http://www.cucsoftware.com/press/kaacq.html|access-date=September 3, 2020|archive-date=1997-07-14}} In February 1996, CUC had acquired Davidson & Associates;{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-10-fi-27220-story.html |title=Davidson Founders Make Quiet Exit |first=Karen|last=Kaplan|date=February 10, 1997 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 3, 2020}} this subsidiary was later merged with Knowledge Adventure in October 1998.{{Cite press release|url=http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/press-room/all/k9030prepre070.html|title=Knowledge Adventure® Introduces ClassWorks™ Gold, A Revolutionary Classroom Alternative to Integrated Learning Systems and Stand-Alone Software|access-date=2002-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020320021246/http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/press-room/all/k9030prepre070.html|archive-date=2002-03-20|url-status=dead}}

File:Knowledge Adventure 1998 logo.png

On May 28, 1997, CUC International announced plans to merge with Hospitality Franchise Systems to create a single, "one-stop" entity.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/28/business/11-billion-merger-plan-would-join-hfs-and-cuc.html |title=$11 Billion Merger Plan Would Join HFS and CUC |first=Charles V. |last=Bagli |date=May 28, 1997|newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=September 3, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-28-fi-63045-story.html |title=CUC-HFS Merger Deal to Create Strong One-Stop-Shopping Entity |date=May 28, 1997 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 3, 2020 |agency=Associated Press}} The merger was finalized in December that year and created Cendant.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cuc-gets-renamed/1100-2462150/ |title=CUC Gets Renamed |first=Harley |last=Jebens |date=April 28, 2000 |website=GameSpot |access-date=September 3, 2020}} As a result of the merger, CUC Software was renamed Cendant Software.{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/GDM_March_1998#page/n3 |title=CUC Now Cendant |magazine=Game Developer |publisher=UBM TechWeb |date=March 1998 |page=13}} On November 20, 1998, French media company Havas (later acquired by water utility Vivendi) announced that it would acquire Cendant Software for {{US$|800 million|long=no}} in cash and up to {{US$|200 million|long=no}} contingent on the performance of Cendant Software.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/20/business/cendant-said-to-near-sale-of-software-division.html |title=Cendant Said to Near Sale of Software Division |first=Saul |last=Hansell |date=November 20, 1998 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=September 3, 2020}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/1998/11/cendant-sells-software-unit/ |title=Cendant Sells Software Unit |date=November 20, 1998|magazine=Wired |access-date=September 3, 2020}} Subsequently, the division was renamed Havas Interactive.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2000/12/vivendi/ |title=Vivendi's High Wireless Act |date=December 1, 2000 |magazine=Wired|access-date=September 3, 2020}}

During that time, Knowledge Adventure released many branded games such as JumpStart, Dr. Brain, Fisher-Price, Barbie, Bear in the Big Blue House, Blaster, Teletubbies, Noddy, Jurassic Park III, Captain Kangaroo, Curious George and American Idol.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}}

Knowledge Adventure released JumpStart Baby in 2000.{{cite journal |last=Galley |first=Michelle |date=May 10, 2000 |title=Computer Companies Give Birth to 'Lapware' for Babies |journal=Education Week |volume=19 |issue=35 |pages=Section: ACROSS THE NATION |issn=0277-4232}}

In October 2004, Vivendi sold Knowledge Adventure to a group of investors interested in taking a more active management strategy, and in developing new educational software. The company released new products under both the JumpStart and Math Blaster brands.{{cite news|author=Ron Fahey|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/vivendi-universal-sells-educational-games-division|title=Vivendi Universal sells educational games division|website=Gamesindustry.biz|date=October 6, 2004|access-date=September 3, 2020}}

File:Knowledge Adventure 2011 logo.jpg

In October 2012, Knowledge Adventure changed its name to JumpStart Games.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=7882809|title=Company Overview of JumpStart Games, Inc.|website=Bloomberg News |access-date=June 26, 2019}}

On March 17, 2014, JumpStart Games purchased Neopets from Viacom.{{cite web

| url = http://www.neopets.com/nf.phtml?nf_date=2014-03-17#js

| title = New Features - 18th March - Illusen Day

| date = 2014-03-18

| website = Neopets.com

| publisher = Neopets, Inc.

| access-date = 2021-04-15

| quote = }}

On July 7, 2017, JumpStart Games was acquired by Chinese online game publisher NetDragon Websoft.{{cite web|first=Alexandra |last=Whyte|url=http://kidscreen.com/2017/07/07/neopets-owner-acquired-by-chinas-netdragon/|title=Neopets owner acquired by China's NetDragon|website=kidscreen.com|date=July 7, 2017|access-date=June 26, 2019}}

On November 25, 2014, five Knowledge Adventure titles were re-released digitally as DRM-Free exclusives on ZOOM-Platform.com through a partnership between JumpStart Games and the Jordan Freeman Group. The five titles included 3D Body Adventure, 3D Dinosaur Adventure, Dinosaur Adventure (Original), Space Adventure, and Undersea Adventure.{{Cite web |title=Edenwaith : Blog |url=http://www.edenwaith.com/blog/index.php?p=139 |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=www.edenwaith.com}}

On March 6, 2015, another Knowledge Adventure title, Bug Adventure, was re-released digitally as a DRM-Free exclusive on ZOOM-Platform.com. This title was also released through the partnership between JumpStart and the Jordan Freeman Group. ZOOM-Platform.com indicated the game was released due to the "incredible reaction" they got to the first batch of Knowledge Adventure titles.{{cite web|url=https://lightningreleases.com/zoom-announces-exclusive-release-of-knowledge-adventure-back-catalog/|title=ZOOM Announces Exclusive Release of Knowledge Adventure Back-Catalog|date=November 25, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2019}}

File:JumpStart Final Logo.png On June 13, 2023, Jumpstart Games announced it was ceasing all of its operations and ending support of all games, excluding Neopets,{{Cite web |title=Jellyneo.net {{!}} Neopets Help, Neopets Guides, and Neopets News! |url=https://www.jellyneo.net/?comments=14351 |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=www.jellyneo.net}} on June 30, 2023. The company officially closed July 1, 2023 at 3am EST with servers and their website also shutting down. No reason upon the closure was given.

Neopets was briefly transferred over to Fluffy Dog Studios, which was formerly JumpStart Vancouver, before being spun off as World of Neopia, Inc. in a management buyout deal.

{{Reflist}}

Category:Educational software companies

Category:Software companies based in California

Category:Video game companies established in 1991

Category:Software companies established in 1991

Category:Video game development companies

Category:Companies based in Torrance, California

Category:Former Vivendi subsidiaries

Category:2017 mergers and acquisitions

Category:1991 establishments in California

Category:American companies established in 1991

Category:American companies disestablished in 2023