Iconic Gamedev Studios of the 90s and How They Disappeared
The history of computer games isn't only about fondly-remembered titles and their sequels, but also about the studios and publishers behind them. Let's recall those most notable companies from the 1990s that, for various reasons, failed to survive.
Table of Contents
- Iconic Gamedev Studios of the 90s and How They Disappeared
- MicroProse
- Origin Systems
- Psygnosis
- Bullfrog Productions
- Sensible Software
- Westwood Studios
- Strategic Simulations, Inc. (aka SSI)
- Interplay Productions / Interplay Entertainment
- LucasArts Entertainment
- Other notable studios
Strategic Simulations, Inc. (aka SSI)
What we remember it for: Panzer General series, D&D adaptations
Years active: 1979-1994
SSI was founded in 1979 with the main goal of bringing strategic war games to computers, developing games focused on moving pieces around a map without the need for any graphic bells and whistles. Throughout the years, they earned a reputation for great strategies, as well as RPGs, especially under the Dungeons & Dragons license, which were released mainly in the 1980s. SSI created or published over a hundred titles. Perhaps the best known is the Panzer General series, which – for its genre – was quite accessible to beginners, which made it a huge commercial success.
The company kept the momentum, releasing sequels that at times left thhe WW2 setting, turning towards science fiction and fantasy. The studio also published the first two installments of Silent Hunter, a submarine simulator, and two parts of Su-27 Flanker – the first games from Eagle Dynamics, the makers of DCS World. Other famous titles include History Line 1914-1918 (as publisher), Great Naval Battles and Steel Panthers.
How did the studio disappear?
SSI lost independence as early as 1994 when it was taken over by Mindscape. Then it became part of Mattel, and finally, in 2001, was purchased by Ubi Soft (as Ubisoft it was stylized back in the day). Ubi also used their logos in games such as Silent Hunter II, Pool of Radiance and Destroyer Command to bury this franchise completely after a short time.
