Blitz Games
The family-oriented game-development division of Blitz Games Studios, known especially for licensed character and entertainment-property games.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Blitz Games was the principal family-games division of the British developer Blitz Games Studios. The division developed and produced video games built around recognizable entertainment properties, children’s characters, and consumer brands. Its work formed part of the broader company’s strategy of operating several specialized development units: Blitz Games handled accessible and family-oriented titles, Blitz Arcade concentrated on smaller downloadable projects, Volatile Games worked on mature games, TruSim developed serious and training applications, and BlitzTech created development technology. The division’s roots lay in the company originally established by the Oliver Twins in 1990 under the name Dizzy Enterprises. After becoming Interactive Studios, the business used that name for much of the 1990s. In 2000, the company adopted the Blitz Games name because “Interactive Studios” was considered too generic. The rebranding also established Blitz Games as the identity most closely associated with the studio’s mainstream family and licensed-product output. Blitz Games became known for converting established intellectual properties into console and handheld games. Its credited portfolio included titles connected with The Fairly OddParents, Bratz, SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Biggest Loser, among other properties. The division’s projects generally emphasized broad audience appeal and recognizable brands rather than the mature themes associated with the company’s Volatile Games unit. One of its better-known releases was SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab, which received the Favourite Videogame award at the 2007 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. The wider Blitz organization also experimented with new forms of distribution and audience engagement. Blitz Arcade, established in 2006, created downloadable games and advertising-supported projects, including games for Burger King and SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam. Blitz1UP, launched in 2008, offered production guidance, quality-assurance support, and other assistance to independent developers before being replaced by the IndieCity marketplace in 2011. These initiatives were separate from the core Blitz Games division but reflected the group’s attempt to diversify beyond conventional commissioned and licensed development. Blitz Games operated within a highly competitive contract-development market in which studios often depended on publishers, licensors, and platform owners to finance future projects. The collapse of major client THQ placed substantial pressure on Blitz Games Studios. On 12 September 2013, the parent company announced that it was closing after 23 years. The closure ended the work of Blitz Games and the group’s other divisions. Reports described the company as owing money to employees and creditors, although this dossier does not treat that reported figure as a verified financial metric without a directly cited source. Soon afterward, the Oliver brothers and former chief operating officer Richard Smithies formed Radiant Worlds in the same area and recruited former Blitz staff. Blitz Games itself did not continue as an operating development brand.
History
Blitz Games developed from a British game company founded by the Oliver Twins in 1990. The business initially operated as Dizzy Enterprises, referencing the Oliver Twins’ earlier association with the Dizzy game series. It later became Interactive Studios, a name used during the company’s expansion into commissioned and licensed development. In 2000, the company changed its name to Blitz Games. The change was made because Interactive Studios was regarded as too generic. Under the Blitz Games identity, the organization became particularly associated with family entertainment products and licensed games. This division worked with properties including The Fairly OddParents, Bratz, SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Biggest Loser. Its projects were generally aimed at children, families, and mainstream console audiences, distinguishing it from the company’s mature-games unit, Volatile Games. Blitz Games was part of a multi-division structure. Blitz Arcade was created in 2006 with a smaller team and focused on downloadable and advertising-supported games. Its work included a series of Burger King advertising games, SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam, PowerUp Forever, Droplitz, and Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao. Volatile Games, established as the company’s mature-games division in 2005, produced projects such as Reservoir Dogs and Dead to Rights: Retribution. TruSim developed serious games, especially medical and training applications, while BlitzTech created and licensed development tools and technology. The broader studio also acquired the Virtual Experience Company at the end of 2006. That unit had worked on projects such as a virtual tour of Tintern Abbey, but it was sold back to its former owner, Mike Gogan, in May 2009. In 2008, Blitz Games Studios launched Blitz1UP to help independent developers with production advice, development support, and crowd-sourced quality assurance. The program closed in 2011 and was replaced by IndieCity, an online marketplace for independent games. Blitz Games’ family-oriented portfolio included multiple licensed productions and received industry recognition. SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab won Favourite Videogame at the 2007 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. The wider company also received recognition for business development, training, workplace practices, and its Burger King advertising games, which won awards at Cannes and the Clios. The company’s dependence on publisher and client financing became a serious vulnerability. According to the company’s closure reporting, the failure of THQ, described by Philip Oliver as a major client, severely affected Blitz’s ability to support future projects. On 12 September 2013, Blitz Games Studios announced that it was closing after 23 years. The shutdown ended Blitz Games as an active division. The Oliver brothers and former chief operating officer Richard Smithies subsequently established Radiant Worlds in the same town, with reports indicating that former Blitz employees joined the new company.
- 2013
Blitz Games Studios closes
[1]The parent company announced its closure on 12 September 2013, ending Blitz Games’ operations after the group struggled to finance future projects.
- 2011
Blitz1UP is replaced by IndieCity
[1]The independent-development support program was closed and succeeded by IndieCity, an online marketplace for independent games.
- 2008
Blitz1UP launches
[1]Blitz Games Studios introduced Blitz1UP to provide independent developers with production guidance, advice, and quality-assurance assistance.
- 2007
SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab receives a Kids’ Choice Award
[1]The game won Favourite Videogame at the 2007 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
- 2006
Blitz Arcade is established
[1]The wider studio created Blitz Arcade as a smaller team focused on downloadable and advertising-supported games.
- 2000
Interactive Studios becomes Blitz Games
[1]The company adopted the Blitz Games name after determining that Interactive Studios was too generic. The Blitz Games identity became associated with the group’s family and licensed-game development.
- 1990
Founding of the predecessor company
[1]The Oliver Twins founded the business that would eventually become Blitz Games Studios, initially using the name Dizzy Enterprises.
Products and positioning
A family-focused development label within Blitz Games Studios, specializing in accessible games based on licensed characters, television properties, and other established entertainment brands.
Licensed family video game
SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
A family-oriented game based on the SpongeBob SquarePants television property. It was one of the division’s better-known licensed productions and won Favourite Videogame at the 2007 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
Licensed children’s video games
The Fairly OddParents games
A group of games based on Nickelodeon’s The Fairly OddParents. These projects exemplified Blitz Games’ focus on recognizable children’s entertainment properties and accessible family gameplay.
Licensed family video games
Bratz games
Games based on the Bratz fashion-doll and entertainment franchise. The titles formed part of the division’s licensed portfolio aimed at younger audiences and fans of established consumer brands.
Licensed fitness and lifestyle video games
The Biggest Loser games
Games connected with The Biggest Loser television franchise. Their inclusion in the portfolio demonstrated Blitz Games’ work beyond animated children’s properties and into television-based lifestyle brands.
Marketing campaigns
- 2006Burger King advertising games
United States
Blitz Arcade created a series of advertising-supported games for the Burger King chain. The work became an early project for the new division and was part of Blitz’s exploration of branded digital entertainment.
Outcome. The campaign received recognition including a Cannes Titanium Grand Prix and a Golden Clio Award.
Brand decisions
2013
Closure of Blitz Games StudiosOtherBackground
The company struggled to raise money for future development projects. The failure of THQ, identified as a major client, was reported to have placed particular pressure on the business.
Action taken
Blitz Games Studios announced on 12 September 2013 that it would close, ending the operations of Blitz Games and its other divisions.
Aftermath
The Oliver brothers and former chief operating officer Richard Smithies soon established Radiant Worlds, which recruited former Blitz employees.
2008
Launch of the Blitz1UP independent-developer programStrategyBackground
The wider studio sought to support independent developers and participate in the emerging market for digitally distributed games.
Action taken
Blitz Games Studios launched Blitz1UP, offering development advice, production assistance, and crowd-sourced quality assurance.
Aftermath
The program was closed in 2011 and replaced with IndieCity, an online independent-game marketplace.
2000
Rebranding from Interactive Studios to Blitz GamesStrategyBackground
The company considered the Interactive Studios name too generic as it developed a clearer identity for its expanding game-development business.
Action taken
The business changed its name to Blitz Games, a name subsequently used for its family-oriented development division.
Aftermath
Blitz Games became the principal identity associated with the company’s licensed and family-focused games.
Recent events
- 2013
Blitz Games Studios announces closure[1]
Bankruptcy · Leadership change · Other
Blitz Games Studios announced on 12 September 2013 that it would close after 23 years. The closure ended the operations of Blitz Games and the group’s other specialist divisions. The company attributed the decision to difficulty raising funding for future development, with the collapse of major client THQ identified as a significant factor.
- 2011
Blitz1UP program is replaced by IndieCity[1]
Other
Blitz Games Studios ended the Blitz1UP support program for independent developers and replaced it with IndieCity, an online marketplace for independent games.
Sources1 sources
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