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Black Rock Studio

Moby ID: 7906

AKA +
  • Climax Racing (from 2004-11-29 to 2007-07-06)
  • Climax (Brighton) Ltd (from 1999-11-07 to 2004-11-29)
  • Pixel Planet (from 1998 to 1999-11-07)

Overview edit · view history

The company was founded as Pixel Planet in September 1999 in Brighton, England by Tony Beckwith. In November 1999 it was already acquired by The Climax Group and renamed Climax Brighton. Before its acquisition, the studio was working on the game Stunt Driver for the Dreamcast, to be completed in 2001, but it was eventually cancelled because of the console's quick demise.

In November 2004 the studio was re-branded Climax Racing and almost four years later, on 28th September 2006, the company was acquired a second time, by Buena Vista Games, Inc. (now Disney Interactive Studios). One year later, in July 2007, the name was changed into Black Rock Studio.

The company was always known for its racing games. Its last title was the action racing game Split/Second (2010). On 1st July 2011 Disney confirmed that the studio was set to close, with 40 people to be made redundant. In May of the same year, staff numbers had already been reduced. The studio was working on an unannounced project after Split/Second, but Disney did not greenlight it.

The studio's ex-employees founded several new studios: Roundcube Entertainment, ShortRound Games, Boss Alien, West Pier Studio and Studio Gobo.

Credited on 16 Games from 2002 to 2010

Split/Second (2010 on Windows, PSP, Xbox 360...)
Pure (2008 on Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
MotoGP '07 (2007 on Windows, Xbox 360)
ATV Offroad Fury 4 (2006 on PlayStation 2)
ATV Offroad Fury Pro (2006 on PSP)
MotoGP '06 (2006 on Xbox 360)
MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology 3 (2005 on Windows, Xbox)
ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails (2005 on PSP)
Hot Wheels: Stunt Track Challenge (2004 on Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox)
Crash 'N' Burn (2004 on PlayStation 2, Xbox)
ATV Offroad Fury 3 (2004 on PlayStation 2)
Hot Wheels: World Race (2003 on Windows, PlayStation 2, GameCube)
MotoGP 2 (2003 on Windows, Xbox)
ATV: Quad Power Racing 2 (2003 on PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube)
Rally Fusion: Race of Champions (2002 on PlayStation 2, Xbox)
MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology (2002 on Windows, Xbox)

History +

July 6, 2007

Climax Racing is renamed Black Rock Studio.

September 28, 2006

Company acquired by Buena Vista Games, Inc.

June 2006

The company moves to a new location in Brighton.

November 29, 2004

Climax Brighton is re-branded Climax Racing.

August 22, 2000

The company announces to relocate the offices.

[ view all ]

Trivia +

Contact information (2004)

Climax Brighton

Sheridan House

114 Western Road

Hove

East Sussex

BN3 1DD

United Kingdom

Contact information (August 2000)

Climax (Brighton) Ltd

Sheridan House

112-116a Western Road

Hove

East Sussex

BN3 1DD

Tel: 01273 740800

Fax: 01273 740819

Related Web Sites +

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