Kuju

Kuju Ltd., also known as Kuju Entertainment, was a British video game developer whose roots lay in Simis, a studio established in 1989 by Ian Baverstock and Jonathan Newth. Simis became known for flight-simulation software, including MiG-29 Fulcrum, and was acquired by Eidos Interactive in 1995. It subsequently operated as an internal Eidos development studio until Baverstock and Newth led a management buyout in 1998, creating Kuju in Shalford, Surrey. The name Kuju was derived from the initials of the founders’ first names, with the Japanese words “ku” and “ju” also corresponding to the alphabetic positions of I and J. Kuju began as a generalist developer working across PC, console, handheld and mobile platforms. Its first release was Tank Racer, a three-dimensional action-racing game released for PC, PlayStation and mobile platforms. During the early 2000s, the company expanded substantially, employing approximately 80 developers across offices in London, Surrey and Brighton. Its development work included Microsoft Train Simulator, licensed and franchise-based projects such as Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior, and work connected with Sony’s SingStar series. Kuju also became associated with Nintendo projects, particularly Battalion Wars 2 and the Art Academy line for Nintendo DS. The company entered the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market in 2002. Its public-market period was relatively brief: in 2007, Kuju was acquired by German media investment company Catalis SE. Following the acquisition, several internal studios were repositioned as distinct labels. Kuju Brighton became Zoë Mode, while Kuju London became Headstrong Games. These studios broadened the group’s portfolio into family entertainment, music, motion-control and downloadable games. Headstrong worked on projects including The House of the Dead: Overkill, The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest, Top Gun: Hard Lock and Art Academy. Zoë Mode developed or supported projects involving EyeToy, Kinect, Zumba Fitness, Chime, Crush, Rock Revolution and Powerstar Golf. Kuju also established or supported specialist and international studios. Doublesix, formed around developers associated with Geometry Wars: Galaxies, produced Burn Zombie Burn! and All Zombies Must Die! before leaving the Kuju label in 2010. Vatra Games was established in the Czech Republic in 2009 with developers formerly associated with 2K Czech; it developed Silent Hill: Downpour but entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2012 after Kuju terminated its contract. Other historical operations included Kuju Surrey, Kuju Sheffield, later known as Chemistry, Nik Nak Games, Kuju America and Kuju Manila. In 2012, Dominic Wheatley, a co-founder of Domark, became chief executive, and Gary Bracey, formerly of Ocean Software, became commercial director. Kuju’s corporate identity later ceased to operate independently after its merger with Curve Games in 2016. The Kuju name therefore represents a historically important British development group and a family of studio brands rather than an active standalone publisher or developer. Its legacy is associated with licensed console development, Nintendo collaborations, simulation software, music and fitness games, and the development of specialist studios that later operated under separate names.

Kuju’s corporate history begins with Simis, a British developer founded in 1989 by Ian Baverstock and Jonathan Newth. Simis developed flight-simulation programs, including MiG-29 Fulcrum. Eidos Interactive acquired the studio in 1995 and operated it as an internal development unit. In 1998, Baverstock and Newth completed a management buyout, creating Kuju Ltd. in Shalford, Surrey. The name combined the founders’ initials and was also inspired by the Japanese terms “ku” and “ju” for nine and ten. Kuju’s early work covered several platforms and genres. Its first game was Tank Racer, an action-racing title released for PC, PlayStation and mobile. The company expanded during the early 2000s and by 2001 had about 80 developers in London, Surrey and Brighton. Its projects included Microsoft Train Simulator, Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior, SingStar-related development and Nintendo’s Battalion Wars series. Kuju became a public company on the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market in 2002. The business developed a multi-studio structure. Kuju London, established in 2000, later became Headstrong Games. Kuju Brighton, created after the recruitment of the Wide Games team, became Zoë Mode. Doublesix was built around the team behind Geometry Wars: Galaxies and developed Burn Zombie Burn! and All Zombies Must Die! before separating from Kuju in 2010. Kuju also supported the creation of Vatra Games in the Czech Republic in 2009, drawing on developers formerly associated with 2K Czech. Vatra produced Silent Hill: Downpour, but Kuju ended its contract with the studio in 2012 and Vatra was declared bankrupt later that year. In 2007, Catalis SE acquired Kuju. The acquisition was followed by changes in studio identity and a wider focus on licensed entertainment, family software, digital releases and motion-control projects. Headstrong Games worked on The House of the Dead: Overkill, The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest, Top Gun: Hard Lock, Art Academy and entries in Nintendo’s Battalion Wars series. Zoë Mode worked on EyeToy-related projects, Crush, Chime, Rock Revolution, Zumba Fitness 2, Kinect titles and Powerstar Golf. In 2012, Dominic Wheatley became chief executive and Gary Bracey became commercial director. Kuju later merged with Curve Games in 2016, after which Kuju no longer operated as an independent company.

• 2016

  Merger with Curve Games

  [1]Kujuen.wikipedia.org

  Kuju merges with Curve Games and ceases to operate as an independent company.

• 2012

  New executive leadership

  [1]Kujuen.wikipedia.org

  Dominic Wheatley is appointed chief executive and Gary Bracey commercial director.

• 2008

  Studio rebranding

  [1]Kujuen.wikipedia.org

  Kuju Brighton becomes Zoë Mode and Kuju London becomes Headstrong Games.

• 2007

  Acquisition by Catalis

  [1]Kujuen.wikipedia.org

  Catalis SE acquires Kuju and adds it to its media and development portfolio.

• 2002

  AIM flotation

  [1]Kujuen.wikipedia.org

  Kuju is admitted to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.

• 2001

  Multi-office expansion

  [1]Kujuen.wikipedia.org

  Kuju employs about 80 developers across London, Surrey and Brighton.

• 1998

  Kuju is established

  [1]Kujuen.wikipedia.org

  The founders complete a management buyout from Eidos and form Kuju Ltd.

• 1995

  Eidos acquires Simis

  [1]Kujuen.wikipedia.org

  Simis is acquired by Eidos Interactive and operates as an internal studio.

• 1989

  Simis is founded

  [1]Kujuen.wikipedia.org

  Ian Baverstock and Jonathan Newth establish Simis, the development company that later becomes the basis for Kuju.

A contract and co-development studio group serving console, PC, handheld and mobile platforms, with particular experience in licensed properties, simulation, family entertainment, motion-control and digital games.

• Action racing game

  Tank Racer

  Kuju’s first game was a three-dimensional action-racing title built around tanks. It was released for PC, PlayStation and mobile platforms, illustrating the company’s early multi-platform development model.

• Simulation game · 2001

  Microsoft Train Simulator

  A railway simulation project that became one of Kuju’s most notable early development assignments. The title reflected the company’s heritage in simulation software inherited from Simis.

• Licensed action game

  Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior

  A first-person action game based on Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 property and published through a relationship with THQ.

• Strategy and action game · 2007

  Battalion Wars 2

  A Nintendo Wii title in the Battalion Wars series, combining real-time battlefield command with direct action gameplay. It formed part of Kuju’s continuing work on Nintendo’s Wars-related properties.

• Art and educational game · 2010

  Art Academy

  A Nintendo DS drawing and painting application developed by Headstrong Games and owned by Nintendo. It positioned Kuju’s studio network in the family, education and creative-software segment.

• Licensed action-adventure game

  The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest

  A licensed action-adventure title developed by Headstrong Games and based on The Lord of the Rings. It was produced for multiple console and handheld platforms.

• Sports game

  Powerstar Golf

  A golf game associated with Zoë Mode and released for Xbox One. It represented Kuju’s later work in digital console sports entertainment.

• Downloadable action game

  Burn Zombie Burn!

  A zombie-themed action game developed by Doublesix, the specialist Kuju studio formed from the Geometry Wars: Galaxies team.

• 2016

  Merge with Curve GamesM&A

  Background

  Kuju had developed into a group of studios and labels rather than a single standalone development team.

  Action taken

  Kuju merged with Curve Games.

  Aftermath

  Kuju ceased to exist as an independent corporate developer brand.

  Source

• 2008

  Rebrand London and Brighton studiosStrategy

  Background

  Catalis and Kuju operated several geographically distributed development teams.

  Action taken

  Kuju Brighton was rebranded as Zoë Mode and Kuju London as Headstrong Games.

  Aftermath

  The separate labels pursued projects in music, fitness, family entertainment, licensed games and digital software.

  Source

• 2007

  Accept Catalis acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Kuju was operating as a multi-studio developer with projects across console, handheld and PC platforms.

  Action taken

  Catalis SE acquired Kuju and incorporated it into its media investment group.

  Aftermath

  The group reorganized studio identities, including the creation of the Zoë Mode and Headstrong Games brands.

  Source

1. 1Kujuen.wikipedia.org