Supermassive Games

Last updated

Supermassive Games Limited
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Video games
Founded2008;16 years ago (2008)
Founder
  • Pete Samuels
  • Joe Samuels
Headquarters Guildford, Surrey, England
Products
Number of employees
350 [1]  (2023)
Parent Nordisk Film (2022–present)
Website Supermassive Games

Supermassive Games Limited is a British video game developer based in Guildford, Surrey. The studio is best known for developing horror games such as Until Dawn for Sony Interactive Entertainment, The Dark Pictures Anthology for Bandai Namco Entertainment, The Quarry for 2K Games, and The Casting of Frank Stone for Behaviour Interactive.

Contents

History

Supermassive Games was founded by Pete Samuels in 2008, who had previously worked at Psygnosis and Electronic Arts. The company signed a contract to serve as Sony's second-party developer. The studio first worked on downloadable content for Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet , and games utilizing the PlayStation Move motion controller including Sackboy's Prehistoric Moves and Start the Party! . [2] The strategy was a success initially, as the studio posted full-year sales of £5.7 million in 2011. [3] In 2012, the studio partnered with BBC and released Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock . It was intended to be the first game of a trilogy, but the game was poorly received. BBC then announced the decision to cancel all other games in the trilogy in the following year. Another partnership game with BBC, Wonderbook: Walking with Dinosaurs , was released in 2013. [4]

The studio's breakout title, Until Dawn , was also initially envisioned as a PlayStation Move title, though all motion controls were dropped when it was retooled into a PlayStation 4 game. [5] Until Dawn was a survival horror interactive movie inspired by slasher films, and it became an unexpected success for Sony when it was released in 2015. [6] With the success of Until Dawn, the studio continued to expand the Until Dawn universe, releasing spin-off titles including Until Dawn: Rush of Blood and The Inpatient for PlayStation VR, Sony's virtual reality headset. [7] The studio also released the critically panned Bravo Team for PSVR. Supermassive initially wanted it to be "the game which defines shooters on VR", but it faced various development challenges throughout its development cycle. [8]

Supermassive then returned to the horror genre when it partnered with publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment to create an anthology series called The Dark Pictures Anthology ; the first game in the series is called The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan , which was released in August 2019. Unlike Supermassive's previous titles, which all but two were available exclusively on Sony platforms, all games in the Dark Pictures series will also be available on Microsoft platforms including Windows and Xbox One. [9] Supermassive plans on releasing a new entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology every 6 months, with a total of 8 games in the series, though more could be added if the series succeeds in sales. [10] Man of Medan was followed by Little Hope (2020), House of Ashes (2021) and The Devil in Me (2022) which concluded the first season. [11] Supermassive also released The Quarry in 2022, a standalone game envisioned as a spiritual successor to Until Dawn inspired by teen slasher and monster films. [12]

In March 2021, Nordisk Film, under their Nordisk Games division, purchased a 30.7% stake in the studio. [13] In July 2022, Nordisk Games fully acquired Supermassive Games, making Supermassive a subsidiary of the Denmark-based company. [14]

In January 2024, it was reported that the company co-founders left the company. [15] In February 2024, Jason Schreier of Bloomberg News reported that Supermassive Games had informed 150 employees that they were at risk of layoffs, ultimately cutting 90 personnel. [16] [17]

Video games

Supermassive Games is known for interactive horror dramas including Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology, and The Quarry. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nordisk Film</span> Danish entertainment company

Nordisk Film A/S is a Danish entertainment company involved in film production and distribution and a subsidiary of Egmont Group. The multimedia entertainment company is also involved in television production, cinemas, computer games and advertising.

<i>Until Dawn</i> 2015 video game

Until Dawn is a 2015 interactive drama horror game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Players assume control of eight young adults who have to survive on Blackwood Mountain when their lives are threatened. The game features a butterfly effect system in which players must make choices that may change the story. All playable characters can survive or die, depending on the choices made. Players explore the environment from a third-person perspective and find clues that may help solve the mystery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PlayStation VR</span> Virtual reality headset developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment

The PlayStation VR is a virtual reality headset developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, which was released in October 2016. The headset works with the company's PlayStation 4 video game console and is forwards compatible with PlayStation 5. Sony released its successor, PlayStation VR2, in 2023, having sold at least 5 million PlayStation VR units worldwide.

<i>Until Dawn: Rush of Blood</i> 2016 video game

Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is a rail shooter developed by Supermassive Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, released on 13 October 2016 worldwide for PlayStation VR headset on PlayStation 4. It is a direct spin-off from Until Dawn and features the player riding a horror-themed roller coaster while shooting at inanimate objects and live enemies.

<i>The Inpatient</i> 2018 video game

The Inpatient is a psychological horror video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4 and its virtual reality headset PlayStation VR. The game was released in January 2018.

<i>Five Nights at Freddys: Help Wanted</i> 2019 video game

Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted is a 2019 virtual reality (VR) survival horror video game developed by Steel Wool Studios and Scott Cawthon. It is an anthology of different minigames based on the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise, where the player must complete tasks without being jumpscared by homicidal animatronic characters. The minigames include VR adaptations of the main entries in the series and several new experiences. Hidden inside the levels are coins that unlock collectable objects and cassette tapes that provide insight into the game's metafictional plot.

<i>Blood & Truth</i> 2019 video game

Blood & Truth is a first-person shooter developed by London Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was released on May 28, 2019 for the PlayStation 4's virtual reality headset PlayStation VR.

<i>The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan</i> 2019 interactive drama video game

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan is a 2019 interactive drama and survival horror video game with paranormal horror elements developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the first game of the first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology, a series of standalone horror video games. Man of Medan features a cast of five playable protagonists and a multilinear narrative influenced by player choice. The game's decision-making scenes, of which there are several, can significantly alter the trajectory of the plot and change the relationships between the main characters. Due to these choices, any of the five protagonists can die permanently.

PlayStation Productions, LLC is an American production company owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE). The company adapts SIE's video game franchises into films and television shows. Its adaptations so far include the films Uncharted (2022) and Gran Turismo (2023) and television series The Last of Us (2023–present) and Twisted Metal (2023–present).

<i>The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope</i> 2020 interactive drama video game

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is a 2020 video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the second game of the first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology. Little Hope serves as the sequel to the anthology's season premiere, Man of Medan. Will Poulter stars as the game's leading actor and plays the role of one of the protagonists, named Andrew. Set in the fictional eponymous town, located in Massachusetts, the game follows four college students chaperoned by their professor. After their bus crashes by the area, the group finds themselves trapped within Little Hope by an impenetrable fog. As they explore the deserted town, the characters are pursued by demons whose appearances are reminiscent of the ways in which the townspeople of Little Hope's colonial era died.

The Dark Pictures Anthology is an anthology series of interactive drama and survival horror video games developed and published by Supermassive Games. The anthology is planned to consist of eight games, with each game inspired by a different horror genre. Each game features five main characters whose survival depends on the choices made by the player. While each character only appears in one game, face models are often reused in other games, except those of the leading actors. The games use a third-person perspective and the ability to choose from various dialogue options and courses of action.

<i>The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes</i> 2021 interactive drama video game

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes is a 2021 interactive drama and survival horror video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the third game of the first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology. The game features a multilinear plot in which decisions can significantly alter the trajectory of the story and change the relationships between the five playable protagonists; some lead to their permanent deaths. House of Ashes is set during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and follows five characters—four Americans working for the US Armed Forces and one Iraqi Republican Guard—who must escape from an underground Akkadian temple and survive the vampiric creatures that infest the area. Ashley Tisdale, who plays CIA operative Rachel King, was marketed as the game's leading actress. Jason Graves, a long-time collaborator with Supermassive for the series, composed the soundtrack during COVID-19 lockdowns in the United Kingdom.

<i>The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me</i> 2022 interactive drama video game

The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me is a 2022 interactive drama and survival horror video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the fourth game of the first season, and the season finale of The Dark Pictures Anthology. A game with a multilinear plot, decisions can significantly alter the trajectory of the story and change the relationships between the five playable protagonists; some lead to their permanent deaths. The Devil in Me follows five members of a documentary film crew who are invited to a replica of H. H. Holmes' hotel on an island in Lake Michigan called Hunter's Island to film an episode of their series. It's not long before they discover their lives are at risk due to traps placed throughout the hotel and they must escape the island before Granthem Du'Met kills them. Jessie Buckley, who plays investigative journalist and the host of the documentary film show, Kate Wilder, was marketed as the game's leading actress. Jason Graves, a long-time collaborator with Supermassive for the series, returned to compose the soundtrack.

<i>Bravo Team</i> 2018 video game

Bravo Team is a video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4 and its virtual reality headset PlayStation VR.

<i>The Quarry</i> (video game) 2022 video game

The Quarry is a 2022 interactive drama horror game developed by Supermassive Games and published by 2K. Players assume control of nine teenage counselors who must survive their last night at Hackett's Quarry summer camp amongst supernatural creatures and violent locals. Players make many choices throughout the game which may significantly affect character development, relationships, the story's plot, and its ending. All nine playable characters may survive or die, depending on the player's decisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PlayStation VR2</span> Virtual reality headset developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment

The PlayStation VR2 is a virtual reality headset for the PlayStation 5 and PC, developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment released on February 22, 2023.

<i>The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR</i> 2023 video game

The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is a rail shooter video game developed and published by Supermassive Games for the PlayStation VR2. It was released on 16 March 2023. It is a spin-off of The Dark Pictures Anthology and features the player riding a horror-themed roller coaster.

<i>The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020</i> Upcoming interactive drama video game

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020 is an upcoming interactive drama and survival horror video game developed and published by Supermassive Games. It is the first game of the second season, and the fifth game overall in The Dark Pictures Anthology. Continuing the series' premise, the game features a cast of five playable protagonists and a multilinear narrative influenced by player choices. Its decision-making scenes can significantly alter the trajectory of the plot and change the relationships between the main characters; some can lead to the permanent death of the protagonists. In Directive 8020, a colony ship called Cassiopeia crash lands on Tau Ceti f, a planet that is 12 light-years from Earth. Lashana Lynch, who plays astronaut and pilot of the Cassiopeia, Brianna Young, is being marketed as the game's leading actress. Directive 8020 will be released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.

References

  1. ↑ "Supermassive Games - About". Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  2. ↑ Treese, Tyler (11 August 2015). "Until Dawn Developer and Their Supermassive History With Sony". PlayStation LifeStyle. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  3. ↑ Loizou, Kiki (9 December 2012). "How I Made It: Pete Samuels, founder of Supermassive Games". The Times . Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  4. ↑ Ray Corriea, Alexa (11 July 2013). "Supermassive Games still working on Until Dawn, no more Doctor Who games". Polygon . Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  5. ↑ McCaffery, Ryan (13 August 2014). "Until Dawn Rebooted For PS4, and It's Terrifying". IGN . Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  6. ↑ Nunneley, Stephany (30 September 2015). "Sony was surprised by the "positive reaction" to sleeper hit Until Dawn". VG 247 . Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  7. ↑ "Doctor Who, Until Dawn, virtual reality: the transformation of Supermassive Games". MCVUK . 10 June 2016. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  8. ↑ Phillips, Tom (27 March 2018). "What went wrong with PSVR exclusive Bravo Team, the "Halo of VR shooters"". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  9. ↑ O'Brien, Lucy (21 August 2018). "Supermassive Games Announces Horror Series The Dark Pictures Anthology - Gamescom 2018". IGN . Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  10. ↑ Hargreaves, Jim (22 August 2019). "Expect two games from The Dark Pictures Anthology per year". The Sixth Axis. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  11. ↑ "The Next Dark Pictures Anthology Game Has Been Revealed". Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "Supermassive Games' the Quarry has its full, horrifying reveal ahead of June release". Eurogamer.net. 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  13. ↑ "Nordisk Games acquires 30% stake in Supermassive". gamesindustry.biz. 29 March 2021. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  14. ↑ "Nordisk Games acquires Supermassive Games". Gematsu. 12 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  15. ↑ Scullion, Chris (1 February 2024). "Supermassive Games co-founders have left the company". Video Games Chronicle . Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  16. ↑ Schreier, Jason (26 February 2024). "British Game Maker Supermassive Set to Lay Off 90 Workers". Bloomberg News . Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  17. ↑ Croft, Liam (26 February 2024). "Layoffs Hit Until Dawn, Dark Pictures Dev Supermassive Games, 90 People Affected". Push Square. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  18. ↑ "About". Supermassive Games . Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
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