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| type = [[Subsidiary]] |
| type = [[Subsidiary]] |
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| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]] |
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]] |
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| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2001}}<ref name="about">https://web.archive.org/web/20040603072901/http://splashdamage.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=28&page=1</ref> |
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2001}}<ref name="about">{{cite web |url=http://splashdamage.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=28&page=1 |title=SplashDamage.com :: Remember the Seamine!|website=splashdamage.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603072901/http://splashdamage.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=28&page=1 |archive-date=3 June 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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| founders = [[Paul Wedgwood]], Richard Jolly, Arnout van Meer |
| founders = [[Paul Wedgwood]], Richard Jolly, Arnout van Meer |
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| location = [[London]], [[England]] |
| location = [[London]], [[England]] |
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| products = ''[[Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory]]''<br />''[[Enemy Territory: Quake Wars]]'' |
| products = ''[[Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory]]''<br />''[[Enemy Territory: Quake Wars]]'' |
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| parent = Splash Damage Group (2016–present) |
| parent = Splash Damage Group (2016–present) |
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| num_employees = |
| owner = [[Tencent]] |
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| num_employees = 400+<ref name = employees /> |
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| homepage = [ |
| homepage = [https://www.splashdamage.com/ SplashDamage.com] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Splash Damage Ltd.''' is a |
'''Splash Damage Ltd.''' is a British [[video game developer]] specialising in [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] [[first-person shooter]] [[video game]]s. The studio is best known as the creators of ''[[Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory]]'' and ''[[Enemy Territory: Quake Wars]]''. |
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==History== |
== History == |
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=== Formation (2001) === |
=== Formation (2001) === |
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Splash Damage was formed in May<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.splashdamage.com/history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327113800/http://www.splashdamage.com/history|archive-date=27 March 2013|title=Studio}}</ref> or June 2001<ref name="about" /> by the creators of [[mod (computer gaming)|mods]] such as ''Quake 3 Fortress,'' who was then joined by a number of modders from the Team Fortress and Quake 3 modding scene''.'' The studio began life working with [[Now TV (China)|Now TV]] and [[Gamer.tv]], providing both custom maps and an in-game television production solution. Splash Damage staff also worked to produce and present over 150 TV shows based on Quake III Arena Capture the Flag, creating editing tools and virtual cameras, and editing in-game footage. |
Splash Damage was formed in May<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.splashdamage.com/history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327113800/http://www.splashdamage.com/history|archive-date=27 March 2013|title=Studio}}</ref> or June 2001<ref name="about" /> by the creators of [[mod (computer gaming)|mods]] such as ''Quake 3 Fortress,'' who was then joined by a number of modders from the Team Fortress and Quake 3 modding scene''.'' The studio began life working with [[Now TV (China)|Now TV]] and [[Gamer.tv]], providing both custom maps and an in-game television production solution. Splash Damage staff also worked to produce and present over 150 TV shows based on Quake III Arena Capture the Flag, creating editing tools and virtual cameras, and editing in-game footage. |
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=== Enemy Territory Era ( |
=== Enemy Territory Era (2002–2007) === |
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In March 2002, Splash Damage partnered with [[Games Domain]] to produce a number of multiplayer maps for their online gaming service. One of these was the map Operation Market Garden for id Software's ''[[Return to Castle Wolfenstein]]'' which immediately became the most played third-party map for the game. |
In March 2002, Splash Damage partnered with [[Games Domain]] to produce a number of multiplayer maps for their online gaming service. One of these was the map Operation Market Garden for id Software's ''[[Return to Castle Wolfenstein]]'' which immediately became the most played third-party map for the game. |
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Following Market Garden's success, Activision and id Software asked Splash Damage to produce three additional multiplayer maps for the ''[[Return to Castle Wolfenstein]] Game of the Year Edition''. |
Following Market Garden's success, Activision and id Software asked Splash Damage to produce three additional multiplayer maps for the ''[[Return to Castle Wolfenstein]] Game of the Year Edition''. |
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The same year, Splash Damage partnered with the two companies to develop ''[[Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory]]'', a stand-alone expansion based on ''Return to Castle Wolfenstein''. This was originally envisioned to include both a single-player campaign developed by Mad Doc Software and a multiplayer mode developed by Splash Damage, however the single player campaign was dropped. |
The same year, Splash Damage partnered with the two companies to develop ''[[Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory]]'', a stand-alone expansion based on ''Return to Castle Wolfenstein''. This was originally envisioned to include both a single-player campaign developed by Mad Doc Software and a multiplayer mode developed by Splash Damage, however the single player campaign was dropped. |
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The Windows version of ''Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory'' was released online for free on 29 May 2003, with Linux and Mac versions following later. ''Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory'' won several Game of the Year and Editor's Choice awards,<ref>{{cite web | title = Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory awards | publisher = Splash Damage | date = 4 August 2008 | url = http://www.splashdamage.com/awards#wet | access-date = 4 August 2008 }}</ref> was nominated for a BAFTA, and is still an incredibly popular online FPS in 2021, with a number of fan projects and tournaments. |
The Windows version of ''Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory'' was released online for free on 29 May 2003, with Linux and Mac versions following later. ''Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory'' won several Game of the Year and Editor's Choice awards,<ref>{{cite web | title = Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory awards | publisher = Splash Damage | date = 4 August 2008 | url = http://www.splashdamage.com/awards#wet | access-date = 4 August 2008 }}</ref> was nominated for a BAFTA, and is still an incredibly popular online FPS in 2021, with a number of fan projects and tournaments. |
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Splash Damage grew from seven people on the team at the start team to thirty by the end of the project, in part due to the challenge of creating brand new assets rather than using existing ones on previous titles. |
Splash Damage grew from seven people on the team at the start team to thirty by the end of the project, in part due to the challenge of creating brand new assets rather than using existing ones on previous titles. |
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''Enemy Territory: Quake Wars'' shipped on 28 September 2007, and has won dozens of awards to date, including several Game of the Year awards and over 25 Editor's Choice awards.<ref>{{cite web | title = Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars awards | publisher = Splash Damage | date = 4 August 2008 | url = http://www.splashdamage.com/awards#etqw | access-date = 4 August 2008 }}</ref> The game was later ported to |
''Enemy Territory: Quake Wars'' shipped on 28 September 2007, and has won dozens of awards to date, including several Game of the Year awards and over 25 Editor's Choice awards.<ref>{{cite web | title = Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars awards | publisher = Splash Damage | date = 4 August 2008 | url = http://www.splashdamage.com/awards#etqw | access-date = 4 August 2008 }}</ref> The game was later ported to Xbox 360 by Nerve Software who had also contributed a number of maps to the PC version. |
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=== Later games & Warchest/Fireteam ( |
=== Later games & Warchest/Fireteam (2008–2015) === |
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In 2008, Splash Damage announced they would be partnering with [[Bethesda Softworks]] on an unannounced title.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bethesda and Splash Damage announce partnership|publisher=GamesIndustry.biz|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/bethesda-and-splash-damage-announce-partnership|access-date=19 May 2021|date=22 May 2008}}</ref> In 2009, Splash Damage and Bethesda announced [[ |
In 2008, Splash Damage announced they would be partnering with [[Bethesda Softworks]] on an unannounced title.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bethesda and Splash Damage announce partnership|publisher=GamesIndustry.biz|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/bethesda-and-splash-damage-announce-partnership|access-date=19 May 2021|date=22 May 2008}}</ref> In 2009, Splash Damage and Bethesda announced [[Brink (video game)|Brink]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/114758/Bethesda_And_Splash_Damage_Announce_Brink.php|title=Bethesda And Splash Damage Announce Brink|date=29 May 2009|accessdate=19 May 2021|publisher=Gamasutra}}</ref> which would eventually be released in May 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newgamenetwork.com/news/2290/bethesda-softworks-details-2011-schedule/|title=Bethesda Softworks details 2011 schedule|date=27 January 2011|publisher=New Game Network|access-date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009031521/http://www.newgamenetwork.com/news/2290/bethesda-softworks-details-2011-schedule/|archive-date=9 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was Splash Damage’s first multiplatform title. In August 2011 Splash Damage and Bethesda released the Agents of Change DLC for Brink.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/brink-agents-of-change-dlc-arrives-on-steam-free-for-a-fortnight/|date=4 August 2011|accessdate=19 May 2021|title=Brink: Agents of Change DLC arrives on Steam, free for a fortnight|publisher=PC Gamer}}</ref> |
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In 2012, Splash Damage launched a publishing division called Warchest and a back-end technology business called Fireteam.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 August 2012|title=Brink developer's next moves: Free-to-play publishing, backend support|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/168760/Brink_developers_next_moves_Freetoplay_publishing_backend_support.php|access-date=19 May 2021|publisher=Gamasutra}}</ref> It was described as “Splash Damage’s call-to-arms for free-to-play games that are both high-quality and non-exploitative.”<ref>{{ |
In 2012, Splash Damage launched a publishing division called Warchest and a back-end technology business called Fireteam.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 August 2012|title=Brink developer's next moves: Free-to-play publishing, backend support|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/168760/Brink_developers_next_moves_Freetoplay_publishing_backend_support.php|access-date=19 May 2021|publisher=Gamasutra}}</ref> It was described as “Splash Damage’s call-to-arms for free-to-play games that are both high-quality and non-exploitative.”<ref>{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Mike|date=2012-04-19|title=Brink developer's next moves: Free-to-play publishing, backend support|website=Game Developer|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-em-brink-em-developer-s-next-moves-free-to-play-publishing-backend-support|access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref> These smaller companies went on to publish and support a number of future Splash Damage. |
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Warchest’s first published game was RAD Soldiers, released in December 2012 on [[iOS]] devices, another first for Splash Damage. The tactics-styled game was released after five months of open public testing and over 100,000 pre-registrations,<ref>{{Cite web|title=RAD Soldiers is Now Available Worldwide!|url=https://www.splashdamage.com/news/rad-soldiers-is-now-available-worldwide/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Splash Damage|language=en}}</ref> and was made available PC as a free download in the [[Chrome Web Store]] in 2013. |
Warchest’s first published game was RAD Soldiers, released in December 2012 on [[iOS]] devices, another first for Splash Damage. The tactics-styled game was released after five months of open public testing and over 100,000 pre-registrations,<ref>{{Cite web|title=RAD Soldiers is Now Available Worldwide!|url=https://www.splashdamage.com/news/rad-soldiers-is-now-available-worldwide/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Splash Damage|language=en}}</ref> and was made available PC as a free download in the [[Chrome Web Store]] in 2013. |
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On October |
On25 October 2013 Splash Damage partnered with [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] to create the multiplayer mode for [[Batman: Arkham Origins|Batman Arkham Origins]]. Named Invisible Predator Online, this was the Batman Arkham series' first multiplayer mode.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Donlan|first=Christian|date=2013-07-31|title=How Splash Damage is bringing multiplayer to Batman: Arkham Origins|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-07-31-the-hunter-becomes-the-hunted-in-batman-arkham-origins-multiplayer|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Eurogamer|language=en}}</ref> |
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16 February 2015 saw the launch of Splash Damage’s second Warchest-published title and second mobile title with Tempo, released exclusively on iOS. |
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[[Dirty Bomb (video game)|Dirty Bomb]] was released on 1 June 2015, entering its open beta phase after two years in closed beta.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Savage|first=Phil|date=2015-06-03|title=Dirty Bomb enters open beta|language=en|work=PC Gamer|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/dirty-bomb-enters-open-beta/|access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref> The [[free-to-play]] multiplayer first person shooter title launched on PC with 12 playable mercenaries and two game modes, with more mercenaries, modes and events added over the game’s lifespan. Dirty Bomb was originally published by [[Nexon]], but the publishing rights were transferred to WarChest in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kerr|first=Chris|title=Splash Damage acquires Dirty Bomb publishing rights from Nexon|date=2017-02-03|website=Game Developer|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/splash-damage-acquires-i-dirty-bomb-i-publishing-rights-from-nexon|access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>On18 October 2018 Splash Damage announced they were ending all live developments and updates on the game,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dirty Bomb to cease development|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/dirty-bomb/dirty-bomb-stops-development|access-date=2021-10-19|website=PCGamesN|language=en-GB}}</ref> but also removed all [[monetization]] and made the game completely free to play. |
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=== Microsoft |
=== Microsoft partnership (2015–2020) === |
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2015 saw the start of Splash Damage’s partnership with [[Microsoft]] and [[The Coalition (company)|The Coalition]], as they provided development support on [[Gears of War: Ultimate Edition|Gears Of War Ultimate Edition]] which released on |
2015 saw the start of Splash Damage’s partnership with [[Microsoft]] and [[The Coalition (company)|The Coalition]], as they provided development support on [[Gears of War: Ultimate Edition|Gears Of War Ultimate Edition]] which released on 25 August 2015 for [[Xbox]] and 1 March 2016 for PC.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Splash Damage working on Gears of War: Ultimate Edition|date=2015-06-17|magazine=MCV/DEVELOP|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/splash-damage-working-on-gears-of-war-ultimate-edition/|access-date=2021-10-19|issn=1469-4832}}</ref> |
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This partnership continued into 2016, as Splash Damage provided multiplayer support on [[Gears of War 4]]. This included [[Level (video games)|level design]], art support and matchmaking, with the game releasing worldwide on |
This partnership continued into 2016, as Splash Damage provided multiplayer support on [[Gears of War 4]]. This included [[Level (video games)|level design]], art support and matchmaking, with the game releasing worldwide on 11 October 2016.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=2016-03-15|title=Splash Damage is working on Gears of War 4's multiplayer|magazine=MCV/DEVELOP|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/splash-damage-is-working-on-gears-of-war-4s-multiplayer/|access-date=2021-10-19|issn=1469-4832}}</ref> |
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Earlier, in July 2016, Splash Damage, alongside its sister companies Warchest and Fireteam, were acquired by [[Leyou]], a Chinese holding company, via its Radius Maxima subsidiary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Splash Damage sold to Chinese poultry firm|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-07-11-splash-damage-sold-to-chinese-poultry-firm|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> |
Earlier, in July 2016, Splash Damage, alongside its sister companies Warchest and Fireteam, were acquired by [[Leyou]], a Chinese holding company, via its Radius Maxima subsidiary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Splash Damage sold to Chinese poultry firm|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-07-11-splash-damage-sold-to-chinese-poultry-firm|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> |
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In 2019, Splash Damage provided similar development help for [[Gears 5]], working on level design and art for various multiplayer modes including Versus and Escape; a mode new to the Gears franchise. |
In 2019, Splash Damage provided similar development help for [[Gears 5]], working on level design and art for various multiplayer modes including Versus and Escape; a mode new to the Gears franchise. |
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Escape mode also included a map editor which utilised a special tile system, and Splash Damage was involved in building these tiles. Gears 5 launched on September |
Escape mode also included a map editor which utilised a special tile system, and Splash Damage was involved in building these tiles. Gears 5 launched on10 September 2019 for Xbox One and PC, with an upgraded version for [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series S/X]] launching on10 November 2020. |
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Also in 2019, Splash Damage worked on another Microsoft title: [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]], in partnership with [[343 Industries]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=343 Industries has two additional studios helping on MCC for PC {{!}} KitGuru|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/343-industries-has-two-additional-studios-helping-on-mcc-for-pc/|access-date=2021-10-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Splash Damage was involved in porting the title to PC, and this version of the title released on |
Also in 2019, Splash Damage worked on another Microsoft title: [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]], in partnership with [[343 Industries]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=343 Industries has two additional studios helping on MCC for PC {{!}} KitGuru|url=https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/343-industries-has-two-additional-studios-helping-on-mcc-for-pc/|access-date=2021-10-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Splash Damage was involved in porting the title to PC, and this version of the title released on 3 December 2019. |
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Splash Damage’s next game in this partnership was [[Gears Tactics]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Holmes|first=Mike|title=Turn-based strategy Gears Tactics announced at E3|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/turnbased-strategy-gears-tactics-announced-at-e3/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Gamereactor UK|language=en}}</ref> a turn-based [[Strategy video game|strategy]] game set 12 years before the original [[Gears of War]] game. Gears Tactics released on |
Splash Damage’s next game in this partnership was [[Gears Tactics]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Holmes|first=Mike|title=Turn-based strategy Gears Tactics announced at E3|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/turnbased-strategy-gears-tactics-announced-at-e3/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Gamereactor UK|language=en}}</ref> a turn-based [[Strategy video game|strategy]] game set 12 years before the original [[Gears of War]] game. Gears Tactics released on 28 April 2020 for PC and 10 November 2020 for Xbox consoles,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gears Tactics Gets Xbox Series and Xbox One Release Date|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/gears-tactics-gets-xbox-series-and-xbox-one-release-date/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=GAMING|language=en}}</ref> and was nominated for Best Sim/Strategy game at [[The Game Awards 2020]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tassi|first=Paul|title=Here's The Game Awards 2020 Winners List With A Near-Total 'LastOfUs' Sweep|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2020/12/11/heres-the-game-awards-2020-winner-list-with-a-near-total-last-of-us-sweep/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> |
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=== Tencent |
=== Tencent buyout (2020 – present) === |
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In March 2020, Splash Damage announced a new partnership, this time with [[Google Stadia]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bradshaw|first=Kyle|date=2020-03-23|title=Gears of War multiplayer developer Splash Damage announces Google Stadia exclusive|url=https://9to5google.com/2020/03/23/gears-splash-damage-google-stadia-exclusive/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=9to5Google|language=en-US}}</ref> Outcasters was announced in July 2020 as an exclusive title for the Google Stadia platform, and published by [[Stadia Games and Entertainment|Stadia Games & Entertainment]]. Outcasters is a competitive online multiplayer top-down shooter set in a stylised "vinyl world", and launched on |
In March 2020, Splash Damage announced a new partnership, this time with [[Google Stadia]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bradshaw|first=Kyle|date=2020-03-23|title=Gears of War multiplayer developer Splash Damage announces Google Stadia exclusive|url=https://9to5google.com/2020/03/23/gears-splash-damage-google-stadia-exclusive/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=[[9to5Google]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Outcasters was announced in July 2020 as an exclusive title for the Google Stadia platform, and published by [[Stadia Games and Entertainment|Stadia Games & Entertainment]]. Outcasters is a competitive online multiplayer top-down shooter set in a stylised "vinyl world", and launched on 3 December 2020. It is one of a small number of titles to take advantage of Stadia’s Crowd Play and Crowd Choice features,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Outcasters: Crowd Play & Crowd Choice|url=https://www.splashdamage.com/news/outcasters-crowd-play-crowd-choice/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Splash Damage|language=en}}</ref> allowing viewers to play the game with a [[Streamer (video gaming)|streamer]]. However, following the shut down of Stadia Games and Entertainment in February 2021, the publishing rights for Outcasters reverted back to Warchest on 31 May 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bradshaw|first=Kyle|date=2021-05-18|title=Stadia-exclusive Outcasters is changing publishers following SG&E shutdown|url=https://9to5google.com/2021/05/18/stadia-outcasters-publisher-sge-shutdown/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=[[9to5Google]]|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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On 23 December 2020 |
On 23 December 2020 [[Tencent]] officially acquired Splash Damage’s parent company [[Leyou]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McAloon|first=Alissa|title=Tencent officially acquires Splash Damage parent Leyou in $1.5 billion deal|date=2020-12-23|website=Game Developer|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/tencent-officially-acquires-splash-damage-parent-leyou-in-1-5-billion-deal|access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref> In a blog post published at the time, the studio stressed that they would be retaining their independence and will "operate as an independent entity within the Tencent family".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Splash Damage joins the Tencent family|url=https://www.splashdamage.com/news/splash-damage-joins-the-tencent-family/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Splash Damage|language=en}}</ref> CEO Richard Jolly further expanded on this in an interview with [[GamesIndustry.biz|gamesindustry.biz]]<ref name="gamesindustry.biz">{{Cite web|title=How Tencent gave Splash Damage the "cheat codes for game development"|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-05-26-splash-damage-tencent-interview|access-date=2021-10-19|website=GamesIndustry.biz|language=en}}</ref> where he also spoke about Splash Damage’s expansion, future projects and plans. Radius Maxima was rebranded Splash Damage Group in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09926514 |title=Splash Damage Group Limited |publisher=[[Companies House]] |access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref> |
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On |
On13 October 2021 Splash Damage announced that they are working on a “brand new game in an original sci-fi universe”.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Splash Damage Is Working On A New Original Sci-Fi Game|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/splash-damage-is-working-on-a-new-original-sci-fi-game/1100-6497061/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=GameSpot|language=en-US}}</ref> No further details are known about the project, but it is one of “several ambitious projects”<ref name="gamesindustry.biz" /> in production at the studio. |
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On December 8 2022, during the [[The Game Awards 2022|2022 Game Awards]], it was announced Splash Damage's next game would be ''[[Transformers: Reactivate]],'' a 1-4 player online action game based on the [[Transformers|franchise of the same name]]. |
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On December 9 2022 it was announced Splash Damage had acquired the [[Derby]]-based games studio Bulkhead, for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-09 |title=Splash Damage acquires Battalion 1944 dev Bulkhead |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/splash-damage-acquires-battalion-1944-dev-bulkhead |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> |
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On March 16 2023, Splash Damage along with streamers [[Shroud_(gamer) | Shroud]] and Sacriel announced a partnership on a new project called "Project Astrid", an open-world survival game. <ref> {{Cite web |date=2023-03-16 |title=Announcing Project Astrid |url=https://www.splashdamage.com/news/announcing-project-astrid/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=SplashDamage.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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! Year |
! Year |
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| 2012 |
| 2012 |
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| ''RAD Soldiers''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splashdamage.com/blog/1007/rad-soldiers-now-available-worldwide|title=RAD Soldiers is Now Available Worldwide! - Splash Damage|website=www.splashdamage.com|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> |
| ''[[RAD Soldiers]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splashdamage.com/blog/1007/rad-soldiers-now-available-worldwide|title=RAD Soldiers is Now Available Worldwide! - Splash Damage|website=www.splashdamage.com|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> |
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|iOS, Web |
|iOS, Web |
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| Warchest |
| Warchest |
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| ''[[Gears Tactics]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Gears Tactics|url=https://www.splashdamage.com/news/gears-tactics/|access-date=9 April 2019}}</ref> |
| ''[[Gears Tactics]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Gears Tactics|url=https://www.splashdamage.com/news/gears-tactics/|access-date=9 April 2019}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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| ''Outcasters''<ref>{{cite web|title=Google Stadia exclusive Outcasters is a unique multiplayer combat game coming this fall|url=https://9to5google.com/2020/07/14/outcasters-google-stadia-splash-damage-exclusive/|date=14 July 2020|access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref> |
| ''Outcasters''<ref>{{cite web|title=Google Stadia exclusive Outcasters is a unique multiplayer combat game coming this fall|url=https://9to5google.com/2020/07/14/outcasters-google-stadia-splash-damage-exclusive/|date=14 July 2020|access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref> <small>(discontinued)</small> |
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|Google Stadia |
|Google Stadia |
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| Stadia Games and Entertainment (until May 2021), Warchest (from May 2021) |
| Stadia Games and Entertainment (until May 2021), Warchest (from May 2021) |
||
|- |
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|TBA |
|||
|''Transformers: Reactivate''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=2022-12-09 |title=Transformers: Reactivate is an Online Action Game Developed by Splash Damage |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/transformers-reactivate-is-an-online-action-game-developed-by-splash-damage |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> |
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|To be announced |
|||
|To be announced. |
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|- |
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|TBA |
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|Project Astrid<ref>{{Cite web |title=Announcing Project Astrid - Splash Damage with Sacriel and shroud |url=https://www.splashdamage.com/news/announcing-project-astrid/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Splash Damage |language=en}}</ref> |
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|To be announced |
|||
|To be announced |
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|} |
|} |
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==Awards== |
== Awards == |
||
{| class="wikitable sortable" |
{| class="wikitable sortable" |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{dts|2008}} |
| {{dts|2008}} |
||
| Ultraweb Level 4 Award<ref>{{cite web | title = Ultraweb Level 4 Award 2008 | publisher = Ultraweb | date = 25 August 2008 | url = http://www.ultrawebaward.com/winners.asp | access-date = 25 August 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https:// |
| Ultraweb Level 4 Award<ref>{{cite web | title = Ultraweb Level 4 Award 2008 | publisher = Ultraweb | date = 25 August 2008 | url = http://www.ultrawebaward.com/winners.asp | access-date = 25 August 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120511200936/http://www.ultrawebaward.com/winners.asp | archive-date = 11 May 2012 }}</ref> |
||
| {{won}} |
| {{won}} |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{dts|2021}} |
| {{dts|2021}} |
||
|Best Companies |
|Best Companies – Best Large Companies<ref name="splashdamage.com">{{Cite web|title=Splash Damage makes the 100 Best Companies to Work For list|url=https://www.splashdamage.com/news/splash-damage-best-companies/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Splash Damage|language=en}}</ref> |
||
|<div style="text-align: center;"> 58th </div> |
|<div style="text-align: center;"> 58th </div> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| {{dts|2021}} |
| {{dts|2021}} |
||
|Best Companies |
|Best Companies – London's Best Large Companies<ref name="splashdamage.com" /> |
||
|<div style="text-align: center;"> 29th </div> |
|<div style="text-align: center;"> 29th </div> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|2021 |
|2021 |
||
|Best Companies 3 Star Accreditation <ref |
|Best Companies 3 Star Accreditation <ref name="splashdamage.com" /> |
||
|<div style="text-align: center;"> |
|<div style="text-align: center;"> {{won}} </div> |
||
|} |
|} |
||
The full list of awards can be found on their web site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splashdamage.com/awards|title=The Awards |
The full list of awards can be found on their web site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splashdamage.com/awards|title=The Awards – Splash Damage|website=www.splashdamage.com|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> |
||
==References== |
== References == |
||
{{Reflist |
{{Reflist |
||
|refs= |
|refs= |
||
<ref name = employees>{{cite web | title = Official Splash Damage Careers Page | publisher = Splash Damage | url = https://www.splashdamage.com/careers/ | access-date = 14 |
<ref name = employees>{{cite web | title = Official Splash Damage Careers Page | publisher = Splash Damage | url = https://www.splashdamage.com/careers/ | access-date = 14 November 2021 }}</ref> |
||
}} |
}} |
||
==External links== |
== External links == |
||
*{{Official website|https://www.splashdamage.com}} |
* {{Official website|https://www.splashdamage.com/}} |
||
*[https:// |
* [https://www.mobygames.com/company/splash-damage-ltd Splash Damage] entry at [[MobyGames]] |
||
*[https://www.mobygames.com/company/splash-damage-ltd Splash Damage] entry at [[MobyGames]] |
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{{Tencent}} |
{{Tencent}} |
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[[Category:2016 mergers and acquisitions]] |
[[Category:2016 mergers and acquisitions]] |
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[[Category:British subsidiaries of foreign companies]] |
[[Category:British subsidiaries of foreign companies]] |
||
[[Category:Tencent]] |
[[Category:Tencent Games]] |
![]() | |
Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Video games |
Founded | 2001; 23 years ago (2001)[1] |
Founders | Paul Wedgwood, Richard Jolly, Arnout van Meer |
Headquarters | London, England |
Products | Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory Enemy Territory: Quake Wars |
Owner | Tencent |
Number of employees | 400+[2] |
Parent | Splash Damage Group (2016–present) |
Website | SplashDamage.com |
Splash Damage Ltd. is a British video game developer specialising in multiplayer first-person shooter video games. The studio is best known as the creators of Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars.
Splash Damage was formed in May[3] or June 2001[1] by the creators of mods such as Quake 3 Fortress, who was then joined by a number of modders from the Team Fortress and Quake 3 modding scene. The studio began life working with Now TV and Gamer.tv, providing both custom maps and an in-game television production solution. Splash Damage staff also worked to produce and present over 150 TV shows based on Quake III Arena Capture the Flag, creating editing tools and virtual cameras, and editing in-game footage.
In March 2002, Splash Damage partnered with Games Domain to produce a number of multiplayer maps for their online gaming service. One of these was the map Operation Market Garden for id Software's Return to Castle Wolfenstein which immediately became the most played third-party map for the game.
Following Market Garden's success, Activision and id Software asked Splash Damage to produce three additional multiplayer maps for the Return to Castle Wolfenstein Game of the Year Edition.
The same year, Splash Damage partnered with the two companies to develop Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, a stand-alone expansion based on Return to Castle Wolfenstein. This was originally envisioned to include both a single-player campaign developed by Mad Doc Software and a multiplayer mode developed by Splash Damage, however the single player campaign was dropped.
The Windows version of Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory was released online for free on 29 May 2003, with Linux and Mac versions following later. Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory won several Game of the Year and Editor's Choice awards,[4] was nominated for a BAFTA, and is still an incredibly popular online FPS in 2021, with a number of fan projects and tournaments.
In June 2003 and once again working with id Software, Splash Damage created all the maps for Doom 3's multiplayer mode.
At the same as Doom 3, Splash Damage began pre-production on Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, a follow-up to Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory using a heavily modified version of the id Tech 4 engine and set in the Quake universe, adding a first for the series in the form of vehicles.
Splash Damage grew from seven people on the team at the start team to thirty by the end of the project, in part due to the challenge of creating brand new assets rather than using existing ones on previous titles.
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars shipped on 28 September 2007, and has won dozens of awards to date, including several Game of the Year awards and over 25 Editor's Choice awards.[5] The game was later ported to Xbox 360 by Nerve Software who had also contributed a number of maps to the PC version.
In 2008, Splash Damage announced they would be partnering with Bethesda Softworks on an unannounced title.[6] In 2009, Splash Damage and Bethesda announced Brink,[7] which would eventually be released in May 2011[8] and was Splash Damage’s first multiplatform title. In August 2011 Splash Damage and Bethesda released the Agents of Change DLC for Brink.[9]
In 2012, Splash Damage launched a publishing division called Warchest and a back-end technology business called Fireteam.[10] It was described as “Splash Damage’s call-to-arms for free-to-play games that are both high-quality and non-exploitative.”[11] These smaller companies went on to publish and support a number of future Splash Damage.
Warchest’s first published game was RAD Soldiers, released in December 2012 on iOS devices, another first for Splash Damage. The tactics-styled game was released after five months of open public testing and over 100,000 pre-registrations,[12] and was made available PC as a free download in the Chrome Web Store in 2013.
On 25 October 2013 Splash Damage partnered with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to create the multiplayer mode for Batman Arkham Origins. Named Invisible Predator Online, this was the Batman Arkham series' first multiplayer mode.[13]
16 February 2015 saw the launch of Splash Damage’s second Warchest-published title and second mobile title with Tempo, released exclusively on iOS.
Dirty Bomb was released on 1 June 2015, entering its open beta phase after two years in closed beta.[14] The free-to-play multiplayer first person shooter title launched on PC with 12 playable mercenaries and two game modes, with more mercenaries, modes and events added over the game’s lifespan. Dirty Bomb was originally published by Nexon, but the publishing rights were transferred to WarChest in 2017.[15] On 18 October 2018 Splash Damage announced they were ending all live developments and updates on the game,[16] but also removed all monetization and made the game completely free to play.
2015 saw the start of Splash Damage’s partnership with Microsoft and The Coalition, as they provided development support on Gears Of War Ultimate Edition which released on 25 August 2015 for Xbox and 1 March 2016 for PC.[17]
This partnership continued into 2016, as Splash Damage provided multiplayer support on Gears of War 4. This included level design, art support and matchmaking, with the game releasing worldwide on 11 October 2016.[18]
Earlier, in July 2016, Splash Damage, alongside its sister companies Warchest and Fireteam, were acquired by Leyou, a Chinese holding company, via its Radius Maxima subsidiary.[19]
In 2019, Splash Damage provided similar development help for Gears 5, working on level design and art for various multiplayer modes including Versus and Escape; a mode new to the Gears franchise.
Escape mode also included a map editor which utilised a special tile system, and Splash Damage was involved in building these tiles. Gears 5 launched on 10 September 2019 for Xbox One and PC, with an upgraded version for Xbox Series S/X launching on 10 November 2020.
Also in 2019, Splash Damage worked on another Microsoft title: Halo: The Master Chief Collection, in partnership with 343 Industries.[20] Splash Damage was involved in porting the title to PC, and this version of the title released on 3 December 2019.
Splash Damage’s next game in this partnership was Gears Tactics,[21] a turn-based strategy game set 12 years before the original Gears of War game. Gears Tactics released on 28 April 2020 for PC and 10 November 2020 for Xbox consoles,[22] and was nominated for Best Sim/Strategy game at The Game Awards 2020.[23]
In March 2020, Splash Damage announced a new partnership, this time with Google Stadia.[24] Outcasters was announced in July 2020 as an exclusive title for the Google Stadia platform, and published by Stadia Games & Entertainment. Outcasters is a competitive online multiplayer top-down shooter set in a stylised "vinyl world", and launched on 3 December 2020. It is one of a small number of titles to take advantage of Stadia’s Crowd Play and Crowd Choice features,[25] allowing viewers to play the game with a streamer. However, following the shut down of Stadia Games and Entertainment in February 2021, the publishing rights for Outcasters reverted back to Warchest on 31 May 2021.[26]
On 23 December 2020 Tencent officially acquired Splash Damage’s parent company Leyou.[27] In a blog post published at the time, the studio stressed that they would be retaining their independence and will "operate as an independent entity within the Tencent family".[28] CEO Richard Jolly further expanded on this in an interview with gamesindustry.biz[29] where he also spoke about Splash Damage’s expansion, future projects and plans. Radius Maxima was rebranded Splash Damage Group in February 2021.[30]
On 13 October 2021 Splash Damage announced that they are working on a “brand new game in an original sci-fi universe”.[31] No further details are known about the project, but it is one of “several ambitious projects”[29] in production at the studio.
On December 8 2022, during the 2022 Game Awards, it was announced Splash Damage's next game would be Transformers: Reactivate, a 1-4 player online action game based on the franchise of the same name.
On December 9 2022 it was announced Splash Damage had acquired the Derby-based games studio Bulkhead, for an undisclosed sum.[32]
On March 16 2023, Splash Damage along with streamers Shroud and Sacriel announced a partnership on a new project called "Project Astrid", an open-world survival game. [33]
Year | Title | Platform(s) | Publisher(s) |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | Return to Castle Wolfenstein (multiplayer) | Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac | Activision |
2003 | Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory | ||
2004 | Doom 3 (multiplayer) | ||
2007 | Enemy Territory: Quake Wars | Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | |
2011 | Brink | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Bethesda Softworks |
2012 | RAD Soldiers[34] | iOS, Web | Warchest |
2013 | Batman: Arkham Origins (multiplayer) | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment |
2014 | Dirty Bomb[35] | Microsoft Windows | Nexon (until 2017), Warchest (from 2017) |
2015 | Tempo[36] | iOS | Warchest |
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition[37] | Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series Consoles | Xbox Game Studios | |
2016 | Gears of War 4 (multiplayer)[38] | ||
2019 | Gears 5 (multiplayer)[39] | ||
Halo: The Master Chief Collection (PC version)[40] | |||
2020 | Gears Tactics[41] | ||
Outcasters[42] (discontinued) | Google Stadia | Stadia Games and Entertainment (until May 2021), Warchest (from May 2021) | |
TBA | Transformers: Reactivate[43] | To be announced | To be announced. |
TBA | Project Astrid[44] | To be announced | To be announced |
Date | Award | Result |
---|---|---|
2008 | Develop Industry Excellence Award for Best Independent Studio[45] | Won |
2008 | Ultraweb Level 4 Award[46] | Won |
2008 | Golden Joystick award for UK Developer of the Year[47] | Nominated |
2009 | Guardian Top 100 UK Tech & Media Companies[48] | Won |
2015 | Best Companies Ones to Watch[49] | Won |
2016 | Best Companies 2 Star Accreditation[50] | Won |
2016 | Amazon Growing Business Awards[51] | Nominated |
2018 | Best Companies[52] | 47th |
2021 | Best Companies – Best Large Companies[53] | 58th |
2021 | Best Companies – London's Best Large Companies[53] | 29th |
2021 | Best Companies 3 Star Accreditation [53] | Won |
The full list of awards can be found on their web site.[54]
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