Empire Interactive

Empire Interactive was a British video-game developer and publisher headquartered in London. Founded in 1987 by Ian Higgins and Simon Jeffrey, the company combined internally developed games with publishing and distribution activities across personal computers and consoles. Its catalogue included full-price releases as well as lower-priced software sold through its Xplosiv range, which began on PC in 2000 and later expanded to PlayStation 2. Xplosiv also handled European publication of selected third-party titles, including products associated with Sega and Microsoft. The company expanded through acquisitions and studio ownership. In November 2000, it acquired Razorworks, a development studio that worked on driving and other licensed or adapted game projects. In March 2002, Empire acquired eJay, a music-creation software business, broadening its activities beyond conventional game publishing. Empire also operated Strangelite, a development studio associated with Starship Troopers and PC conversions of games connected with Sega. Strangelite was sold to Rebellion Developments in June 2006. Empire became the subject of a takeover by Silverstar Holdings, a United States public company listed on NASDAQ. Silverstar's offer, announced in late October 2006, was accepted by approximately 90 percent of Empire's shareholders by late November, enabling Silverstar to acquire 85 percent of the company in a transaction valued at approximately £4.5 million. Empire's further admissions to London's Alternative Investment Market were subsequently expected to be cancelled. The business later experienced significant financial and operational difficulties. Chief executive Ian Higgins left his position in May 2008. In July of that year, Empire reduced its staff by approximately 30 percent while seeking to sell Razorworks. Razorworks was transferred to Rebellion Developments shortly afterward. Silverstar Holdings was delisted from NASDAQ in March 2009, and Empire Interactive entered administration on 1 May 2009, with KPMG Restructuring appointed to manage the process. Forty-nine of the company's 55 employees were reportedly made redundant, while six remained temporarily to assist with the winding down. Empire's intellectual property was subsequently sold to New World IP. Zoo Publishing later obtained an exclusive licence from New World IP to publish and distribute Empire's catalogue. The original Empire Interactive operating company is therefore defunct, although its name and intellectual property continued to appear in later licensing and revival-related claims. The company should be distinguished from later, unverified attempts to use the Empire Interactive name for new projects.

Empire Interactive was established in the United Kingdom in 1987 by Ian Higgins and Simon Jeffrey. It developed and published games for personal computers and consoles, operating both as a creator of original or internally produced software and as a publisher of third-party products. This mixed model allowed the company to serve the full-price market while also building a substantial value-oriented business. A major component of that value business was Xplosiv. Initially launched for PC in January 2000, the range offered lower-priced software and published European releases from third parties, including titles associated with Sega and Microsoft. Empire expanded Xplosiv to PlayStation 2 in 2003, giving the label a presence on one of the period's most important console platforms. Empire also grew by acquiring development and software businesses. In November 2000, it acquired Razorworks, a studio that became part of the company's internal development structure. In March 2002, Empire acquired eJay, known for music-creation software, adding a non-game software line to its portfolio. The company later owned Strangelite, whose work included the 2005 Starship Troopers game and PC ports of Sega-related titles. Strangelite was sold to Rebellion Developments on 1 June 2006. The company itself underwent a major ownership change in 2006. Silverstar Holdings, a United States public company listed on NASDAQ, offered to acquire Empire in late October. By late November, approximately 90 percent of Empire's shareholders had accepted the offer, and Silverstar acquired 85 percent of the shares. The transaction was valued at approximately £4.5 million. Empire's admissions to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange were expected to be cancelled as a consequence of the acquisition. The post-acquisition period was difficult. Ian Higgins stepped down as chief executive in May 2008. In July, Empire reduced its workforce by roughly 30 percent while attempting to sell Razorworks. Razorworks was sold to Rebellion a few days later and absorbed into that company. The restructuring reflected a contraction of Empire's operating base and a move away from maintaining the same level of internal development capacity. Silverstar Holdings was delisted from NASDAQ in March 2009. Two months later, on 1 May 2009, Empire Interactive entered administration, with KPMG Restructuring appointed to oversee the process. Forty-nine of the company's 55 employees were laid off, while six remained to support the administrator during the wind-down. Empire's intellectual property was sold to New World IP, and Zoo Publishing subsequently received an exclusive licence to publish and distribute Empire's games from that rights holder. The original operating company is consequently regarded as defunct. Later public claims about acquiring or reviving the Empire Interactive name do not alter the documented history of the original British developer and publisher and should be treated separately from its pre-2009 corporate operations.

• 2009

  Administration and wind-down

  [1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Empire entered administration on 1 May, with KPMG Restructuring appointed administrator.

• 2008

  Leadership and workforce restructuring

  [1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Ian Higgins left as chief executive in May, and Empire reduced its staff by approximately 30 percent in July.

• 2006

  Strangelite sold to Rebellion

  [1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Empire sold its Strangelite development studio to Rebellion Developments on 1 June.

• 2006

  Silverstar Holdings acquired a controlling stake

  [1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Silverstar Holdings acquired 85 percent of Empire's shares after a takeover offer accepted by approximately 90 percent of shareholders.

• 2002

  eJay acquired

  [1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Empire acquired music-creation software company eJay in March.

• 2000

  Razorworks acquired

  [1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Empire acquired the Razorworks development studio in November.

• 2000

  Xplosiv launched on PC

  [1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Empire introduced its Xplosiv budget range for PC, later extending it to PlayStation 2.

• 1987

  Empire Interactive founded

  [1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Ian Higgins and Simon Jeffrey established Empire Interactive in the United Kingdom as a video-game developer and publisher.

A broad-based British game developer and publisher combining internally developed titles, acquired studios, third-party publishing, and value-priced software distribution.

• Budget video-game publishing label · 2000

  Xplosiv

  Xplosiv was Empire Interactive's value-oriented publishing range. It launched on PC in January 2000 and later expanded to PlayStation 2 in 2003. The label distributed Empire's own lower-priced products and European releases from third-party publishers, including titles associated with Sega and Microsoft.

• Music-creation software

  eJay

  eJay was a music-creation software business acquired by Empire Interactive in March 2002. Its inclusion broadened Empire's portfolio beyond conventional entertainment software and game publishing.

• Video-game development studio · 2000

  Razorworks

  Razorworks was a development studio acquired by Empire in November 2000. It operated as part of Empire's internal development structure until being sold to Rebellion Developments in 2008 and absorbed into that company.

• Video-game development studio

  Strangelite

  Strangelite was an Empire-owned development studio associated with the 2005 Starship Troopers game and various PC ports of Sega games. Empire sold the studio to Rebellion Developments on 1 June 2006.

• 2008

  Workforce reduction and Razorworks saleStrategy

  Background

  Empire underwent operational contraction after leadership changes and ownership-related difficulties.

  Action taken

  The company reduced staff by approximately 30 percent and pursued the sale of Razorworks, which was transferred to Rebellion Developments shortly afterward.

  Aftermath

  Empire retained a smaller operating base before entering administration in 2009.

  Source

• 2006

  Acceptance of Silverstar Holdings takeoverM&A

  Background

  Silverstar Holdings offered to acquire Empire Interactive in late October 2006.

  Action taken

  Approximately 90 percent of shareholders accepted the offer by late November, allowing Silverstar to acquire 85 percent of Empire's shares.

  Aftermath

  The transaction led to the expected cancellation of Empire's further AIM admissions. The reported transaction value was approximately £4.5 million.

  Transaction value. Approximately £4.5 million (2006 acquisition)

  Source

• 2000

  Launch of the Xplosiv budget rangeStrategy

  Background

  Empire sought to participate in the lower-priced software market while continuing to publish full-price games.

  Action taken

  It launched Xplosiv for PC in January 2000 and expanded the range to PlayStation 2 in 2003.

  Aftermath

  The label became a distinct part of Empire's publishing and distribution activities, including European third-party releases.

  Source

• 2009

  Empire Interactive entered administration[1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy

  Empire entered administration with KPMG Restructuring appointed as administrator. Most employees were laid off and the company was wound down.

• 2008

  Empire Interactive reduced staff and sold Razorworks[1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change · M&A

  After a reported 30 percent staff reduction, Empire pursued the sale of Razorworks, which was subsequently sold to and absorbed by Rebellion Developments.

• 2006

  Silverstar Holdings agreed to acquire Empire Interactive[1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Silverstar Holdings launched an acquisition of Empire Interactive that was accepted by approximately 90 percent of shareholders and resulted in Silverstar obtaining 85 percent of Empire's shares.

• 2006

  Empire sold Strangelite to Rebellion Developments[1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Empire divested its Strangelite development studio, known for Starship Troopers and PC ports, to Rebellion Developments.

• 2002

  Empire Interactive acquired eJay[1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The company acquired music-creation software business eJay, extending its portfolio beyond game publishing and development.

• 2000

  Empire Interactive acquired Razorworks[1]Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Empire Interactive expanded its internal development capacity by acquiring the Razorworks studio.

1. 1Empire Interactiveen.wikipedia.org