Psygnosis Limited
Overview
Psygnosis was one of Europe's leading electronic games software developers. Since the company was founded in Liverpool, in 1984, Psygnosis has stood at the forefront of the electronic games market, creating more than 100 award-winning titles for a variety of different gaming platforms.
The backbone of Psygnosis was its fierce dedication to leading-edge game development. As the technology developed, the company harnessed the potential of the market's leading game platforms. From its early classics on the 8-bit and 16-bit game machines, to its use of proprietary 3D graphics technology and pioneering development of the CD-ROM format, for use on both consoles and PCs, Psygnosis consistently created the benchmark games to which the industry aspires.
Acquired by the Sony Corporation in 1993 Psygnosis played a key role in the launch of the Sony PlayStation in 1995. Games such as Wipeout® and Destruction Derby broke new ground and dominated PlayStation's first year sales.
Subsequent releases have continued the success: the original Formula 1, launched in 1995, broke new records by accounting for 68% of total leisure CD sales in the UK. This success was quickly followed with the launch of other blockbuster titles such as Destruction Derby 2, Wipeout® 2097, Discworld 2, G-Police and Colony Wars.
Psygnosis employed 250 people at its Liverpool headquarters, Leeds, London & Liverpool development studios.
In the PC games market, Psygnosis is best known for Lemmings series and addictive action/racing games.
In late 1998, Eidos Interactive bought Psygnosis' European operations. Psygnosis' US operations were folded into Sony's own development outfit, 989 Studios. Finally, in 2000, Psygnosis (as a Sony brand) abandoned the PC game market for good. All US studios closed. UK studios were incorporated with SCEE.
Trivia
Location and contact info in 1997:
Psygnosis Ltd.
Napier Court
Wavertree Technology Park, Liverpool L13 1HD
United Kingdom
Tel: 0151 282 3000
Related Web-Sites
- Psygnosis Limited -- The Official homepage
- The Purple Owl -- A quality fan site dedicated to Psygnosis and its more well-received games. As of the time of this writing, it is still in the beginning stages, but the History page is particularly well-done.
- Wikipedia -- The Psygnosis company profile at Wikipedia
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