3DO Company, The
Also Known As +
- SMSG, Inc. (from 1991 to 1992)
Overview edit · view history
The company was founded as SMSG, Inc. (San Mateo Software Games) in 1991 by Trip Hawkins and it was headquartered in Redwood City, California. Initially, the SMSG focused on video games consoles and launched the 3DO in October 1993. The console itself was created by different partners and licensees, while 3DO received royalties on each console sold and on each game manufactured. They also offered a lower royalty rate than direct competitors Nintendo and SEGA. The console did not succeed, with a high introduction price and dubious game quality. The final nail in the coffin was when Sony entered the market with the PlayStation in 1995. The 3DO Company sold the design for its next-generation console to Matsushita in 1996 and changed business to a games development and publishing.
Development was mainly achieved through 3 acquisitions: Cyclone Studios (1995), Archetype Interactive (1996) and New World Computing leading to a strong presence with different game genres: the Might and Magic and Heroes of Might and Magic series (New World), the long-running Army Men series, the High Heat Baseball franchise, and Meridian 59 (one of the first 3D MUDs preceding the MMORPGs), along with a lot of other games through in-house development. Studio 3DO was the company's branch in the United Kingdom, also called 3DO UK.
On 28th May 2003, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Credited on 128 Games from 1994 to 2004
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History +
- 1996
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The 3DO Company sells the design for its next-generation console "M2" to Matsushita in October 1995 and changes its business to a games development and publishing.
- December 1995
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The company acquires Cyclone Studios.
- October 1993
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3DO launches the 3DO Companies Multiplayer, a 32-bit CD-based interactive video entertainment platform. It was not well-received by the public.
- 1993
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The 3DO Company was reorganized as a Delaware holding company.
- 1991
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Company founded.
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Trivia +
Address in 2000:
3DO 200 Cardinal Way
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: 650-385-3000
Location and contact information in Nov. 1995:
The 3DO Company Inc.
600 Galveston Drive
Redwood City, CA 94063-4746
Technical Support: 415-261-3454
Order line: 1-800-336-3506
Their official web site used to be at http://www.3do.com.
Related Web Sites +
Frequent Collaborators
- 20 games with New World Computing, Inc.
- 20 games with 3DO Europe, Ltd.
- 19 games with BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Germany GmbH
- 16 games with Epic Games Tools LLC
- 13 games with TiVo Corporation
- 7 games with Halifax S.p.A.
- 7 games with Nacon S.A.
- 6 games with Cyclone Studios
- 6 games with Mastertronic Games Ltd.
- 6 games with Hypnotix, Inc.
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