Rainbow Studios

{{Infobox company

| name = Rainbow Studios

| logo = Rainbow Studios.svg

| former_name = {{Unbulleted list|Rainbow Multimedia Group (1986–1992)|THQ Digital Studios Phoenix (2010–2011)}}

| type = Private

| industry = Video games

| founded = {{Start date and age|1986}}

| founder = Earl Jarred

| hq_location_city = Phoenix, Arizona

| hq_location_country = United States

| key_people = Lenore Gilbert (CEO)

| products = {{Unbulleted list|Motocross Madness series|MX vs. ATV series}}

| parent = {{Unbulleted list|THQ (2002–2011)|THQ Nordic (2013–2024)}}

| subsid = Rainbow Studios Montréal

| num_employees = 61{{cite web |url=https://embracer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Embracer-Annual-Report-and-Sustainability-Report-2021.pdf |title=Embracer Group Annual Report & Sustainability Report 2020 / 2021 |date=25 August 2021 |publisher=Embracer Group |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=25 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825223946/https://embracer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Embracer-Annual-Report-and-Sustainability-Report-2021.pdf |url-status=live}}

| num_employees_year = 2021

| website = {{URL|https://www.rainbowstudios.com/|rainbowstudios.com}}

}}

Rainbow Studios is an American video game developer based in Phoenix, Arizona, best known for developing offroad racing games, such as Motocross Madness and the MX vs. ATV series. It was established by Earl Jarred in 1986 under the name Rainbow Multimedia Group and rebranded as Rainbow Studios in 1992. In January 2002, the company was acquired by THQ, under the ownership of which it was renamed THQ Digital Studios Phoenix in February 2010 and closed in August 2011. The studio was re-instated as Rainbow Studios in 2013 by Nordic Games (later known as THQ Nordic), a publishing company that had purchased most assets of the then-bankrupt THQ earlier that year. The studio is now independent.{{cite web | url=https://www.rainbowstudios.com/about/ | title=About Us }}

History

Rainbow Studios, originally named Rainbow Multimedia Group, was founded by Earl Jarred in 1986.{{cite web |url=http://www.rainbowstudios.com/done/company/index.html |title=Corporate Information |date=1999 |website=Rainbow Studios |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000903142116/http://www.rainbowstudios.com/done/company/index.html |archive-date=September 3, 2000 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://rainbowstudios.com/corporate/history.html |title=Corporate History |date=2000 |website=Rainbow Studios |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010306054439/http://rainbowstudios.com/corporate/history.html |archive-date=March 6, 2001 |url-status=dead}} In 1992, the company shifted its focus towards developing video games and was rebranded Rainbow Studios. On November 8, 2001, video game publisher THQ announced that it had agreed to acquire the studio in exchange for 1 million shares of common stock.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/08/thq-buys-rainbow |title=THQ Buys Rainbow |author=IGN Staff |date=November 8, 2001 |website=IGN |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526023036/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/08/thq-buys-rainbow |archive-date=May 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} An agreement of merger was signed between the two companies on December 21, 2001,{{cite web |url=https://contracts.onecle.com/thq/rainbow.mer.2001.12.21.shtml |title=Agreement of Merger – THQ Inc. and Rainbow Multimedia Group Inc. |date=December 21, 2001 |website=Onecle |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410102633/http://contracts.onecle.com/thq/rainbow.mer.2001.12.21.shtml |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |url-status=live}} and THQ announced that the deal had been completed on January 3, 2002, at which point THQ had issued 858,203 shares and expected to issue further 106,259 at a later point in time.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/03/thq-completes-rainbow-studios-acquisition |title=THQ Completes Rainbow Studios Acquisition |author=IGN Staff |date=January 3, 2002 |website=IGN |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144048/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/03/thq-completes-rainbow-studios-acquisition |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live}} In 2005, Jarred, alongside vice chairman Jeff Padden and employees Rick Baltman and Robb Rinard, left Rainbow Studios to form a new video game studio, 2XL Games.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/rainbow-studios-veterans-form-2xl-games |title=Rainbow Studios Veterans Form 2XL Games |first=David |last=Jenkins |date=November 11, 2005 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209160359/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/98107/Rainbow_Studios_Veterans_Form_2XL_Games.php |url-status=live}} Three further Rainbow Studios veterans—Brad Ruminer, Dennis Booth, and Glenn O'Bannon—announced the formation of their studio, TimeFly Studios, in April 2008.{{cite web |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/news/109044/MX_Vs_ATV_Cars_Vets_Form_TimeFly_Studios.php |title=MX Vs. ATV, Cars Vets Form TimeFly Studios |first=Brandon |last=Boyer |author-link=Brandon Boyer |date=April 1, 2008 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209160413/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/109044/MX_Vs_ATV_Cars_Vets_Form_TimeFly_Studios.php |url-status=dead}}

In mid-April 2008, Rainbow Studios laid off a team of 30 people working on an unannounced game. Because the team was "a minority" in the studio's multi-team setup, development on the game was able to continue despite the staff reduction.{{cite web |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/news/109396/Report_THQs_Rainbow_Sandblast_Studios_See_Layoffs.php |title=Report: THQ's Rainbow, Sandblast Studios See Layoffs |first=Chris |last=Remo |date=April 30, 2008 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828213458/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/109396/Report_THQs_Rainbow_Sandblast_Studios_See_Layoffs.php |url-status=dead}} Further layoffs were instigated in November 2008 and February 2009 as part of larger restructurings within THQ.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/thq-closes-five-us-studios |title=THQ closes five US studios |first=Oli |last=Welsh |date=November 4, 2008 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209160403/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/thq-closes-five-us-studios |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/thq-cuts-600-staff-as-losses-hit-USD192-million |title=THQ cuts 600 staff as losses hit $192 million |first=Matt |last=Martin |date=February 5, 2009 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621162210/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/thq-cuts-600-staff-as-losses-hit-USD192-million |archive-date=June 21, 2009 |url-status=live}} To push THQ's vision for digitally distributed games as part of its core portfolio, effective on February 3, Rainbow Studios and sister studio Juice Games were rebranded as THQ Digital Studios Phoenix and THQ Digital Studios Warrington, respectively.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/juice-games-rainbow-studios-get-downloadable-focus-layoffs/1100-6249427/ |title=Juice Games, Rainbow Studios get downloadable focus, layoffs |first=Brendan |last=Sinclair |date=February 3, 2010 |website=GameSpot |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828213424/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/juice-games-rainbow-studios-get-downloadable-focus-layoffs/1100-6249427/ |url-status=live}} As a result of the restructuring, both studios collectively lost 60 employees.{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/62238/thq-rebrands-studios-under-new |title=THQ Rebrands Studios Under New Digital Initiative, Laying Off 'Approximately 60' |first=Chris |last=Faylor |date=February 4, 2010 |website=Shacknews |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903134320/https://www.shacknews.com/article/62238/thq-rebrands-studios-under-new |archive-date=September 3, 2019 |url-status=live}} On August 9, 2011, THQ announced that, as part of another larger restructuring, THQ Digital Studios Phoenix would be closed down.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/thq-cuts-200-jobs-mx-vs-atv-series-de-blob-studio-an-5829346 |title=THQ Cuts 200 Jobs, MX vs. ATV Series, de Blob Studio and More |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=August 9, 2011 |website=Kotaku |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723174907/https://kotaku.com/thq-cuts-200-jobs-mx-vs-atv-series-de-blob-studio-an-5829346 |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |url-status=live}} The closure led to the elimination of 48 jobs at the Phoenix studio.{{cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2011/08/16/thq-closing-phoenix-game-development.html |title=THQ closing Phoenix game development operations, cutting 48 jobs |first=Patrick |last=O'Grady |date=August 16, 2011 |website=The Business Journals |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429140431/http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2011/08/16/thq-closing-phoenix-game-development.html |archive-date=April 29, 2017 |url-status=live}} THQ planned to retain a quality assurance department on-site.

THQ later filed for bankruptcy, and many of its assets, including the Rainbow Studios-developed MX vs. ATV franchise, were auctioned off to publisher Nordic Games (later known as THQ Nordic) in 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/12/20/5228030/nordic-games-developing-new-mx-vs-atv-launching-early-next-year |title=Nordic Games developing new MX vs. ATV launching early next year |first=Alexa Ray |last=Corriea |date=December 20, 2013 |website=Polygon |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723174905/https://www.polygon.com/2013/12/20/5228030/nordic-games-developing-new-mx-vs-atv-launching-early-next-year |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |url-status=live}} As Nordic Games planned to start developing new titles in that franchise, the company opted to resurrect Rainbow Studios under the former name and in its former location. The move was announced in December that year, at which point the new Rainbow Studios had hired many people previously employed by the former Rainbow Studios, including Ken George, Dave Dwire, Mike Mamula, Brad Bowling, Scott Hofmann, Justin Walsh, David Knudsen, and Lenore Gilbert.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/15/5720000/mx-vs-atv-supercross-e3 |title=MX vs. ATV Supercross is playable at E3 |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=May 15, 2014 |website=Polygon |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723174903/https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/15/5720000/mx-vs-atv-supercross-e3 |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-12-20-nordic-bringing-back-mx-vs-atv |title=Nordic bringing back MX vs. ATV |first=Brendan |last=Sinclair |date=December 20, 2013 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723174903/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-12-20-nordic-bringing-back-mx-vs-atv |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |url-status=live}} By June 2019, Rainbow Studios had 41 employees.{{cite web |url=https://mb.cision.com/Main/15049/2890795/1096896.pdf |title=THQ Nordic Annual Report 2018/19 |first=Lars |last=Wingefors |date=August 27, 2019 |website=Cision |access-date=September 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903202650/https://mb.cision.com/Main/15049/2890795/1096896.pdf |archive-date=September 3, 2019 |url-status=live}} As of October 2019, Gilbert serves as Rainbow Studios' chief executive officer.{{cite web |url=https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2019/10/01/pprint-9-30-gaymer-night-representation-support-and-inclusivity/ |title=Gaymer Night: Representation, Support and Inclusivity |first=Christopher |last=Payne |date=October 1, 2019 |website=The Daily Utah Chronicle |access-date=February 9, 2021}}

In September 2023, Rainbow Studios suffered an unknown number of layoffs as part of the Embracer Group's effort to reduce costs.{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Report: Embracer layoffs impact staff at MX vs ATV developer Rainbow Studios |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-embracer-layoffs-impact-staff-at-mx-vs-atv-developer-rainbow-studios |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}} At some point, Rainbow Studios went independent and is now employee owned.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.rainbowstudios.com/about/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Rainbow Studios |language=en-US}}

Games developed

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" \| Year ! scope="col" \| Title ! scope="col" \| Platform(s) ! scope="col" \| Publisher(s)
scope="row" \| 1994 \| Air Havoc Controller \| Microsoft Windows \| rowspan="2" \| Trimark Interactive
scope="row" \| 1995 \| The Hive \| Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
scope="row" rowspan="2" \| 1996 \| Deadly Tide \| rowspan="5" \| Microsoft Windows \| Microsoft
Ravage D.C.X \| Inscape
scope="row" \| 1998 \| Motocross Madness \| rowspan="2" \| Microsoft
scope="row" rowspan="2" \| 2000 \| Motocross Madness 2
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2000 \| EA Sports
scope="row" rowspan="2" \| 2001 \| ATV Offroad Fury \| PlayStation 2 \| Sony Computer Entertainment
Splashdown \| PlayStation 2, Xbox \| Infogrames
scope="row" rowspan="3" \| 2002 \| ATV Offroad Fury 2 \| PlayStation 2 \| Sony Computer Entertainment
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 \| PlayStation 2, Xbox \| Activision
Star Wars Racer Revenge \| rowspan="2" \| PlayStation 2 \| LucasArts
scope="row" \| 2003 \| Splashdown: Rides Gone Wild \| rowspan="10" \| THQ
scope="row" \| 2004 \| MX Unleashed \| rowspan="2" \| PlayStation 2, Xbox
scope="row" \| 2005 \| MX vs. ATV Unleashed
scope="row" \| 2006 \| Cars \| Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360
scope="row" rowspan="2" \| 2007 \| Cars Mater-National Championship \| Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Wii, Xbox 360
MX vs. ATV Untamed \| PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
scope="row" rowspan="2" \| 2009 \| Deadly Creatures \| Wii
MX vs. ATV Reflex \| PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
scope="row" \| 2010 \| Dood's Big Adventure \| Wii
scope="row" \| 2011 \| MX vs. ATV Alive \| rowspan="2" \| PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
scope="row" \| 2014 \| MX vs. ATV Supercross \| rowspan="2" \| Nordic Games
scope="row" \| 2015 \| MX vs ATV: Supercross Encore \| Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
scope="row" \| 2018 \| MX vs ATV All Out \| Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One \| rowspan="4" \| THQ Nordic
scope="row" \| 2019 \| Monster Jam: Steel Titans \| Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One
scope="row" \| 2021 \| Monster Jam: Steel Titans 2 \| Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One
scope="row" \| 2022 \| MX vs ATV Legends \| Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Platform(s)

! scope="col" | Publisher(s)

scope="row" | 1994

| Air Havoc Controller

| Microsoft Windows

| rowspan="2" | Trimark Interactive

scope="row" | 1995

| The Hive

| Microsoft Windows, PlayStation