Engine Software Explained

Engine Software BV
Former Name:MSX-Engine (1991–1995)
Type:Video game developer
Foundation:1991
Location:Doetinchem, Netherlands
Industry:Video games
Num Employees:20-30

Engine Software (formerly MSX-Engine) is a Dutch video game developer, located in Doetinchem, Netherlands, which specialized in handheld video games and digital platforms until 2011. In the period after (2011-present) they have become more active and known for high-end ports and adaptations of games to modern consoles, mobile, PC and streaming services like Stadia and Luna. Some of the best known games they have worked on include Puzzle Quest for the Nintendo DS, Terraria for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Wii U, Killer7 Remastered for PC, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch for Nintendo Switch and No More Heroes / No More Heroes 2 for Nintendo Switch.

In 2020 Engine Software announced they are working with Ubisoft to rerelease Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game,[1] and also working with NIS America to release ports for Nintendo Switch and PC of Japanese developer Nihon Falcom's flagship titles Ys IX[2] and Trails of Cold Steel IV.[3]

History

Early years (1995–2004)

Engine Software BV was founded in 1995 by several friends who met and worked together previously in the active Dutch demo scene for the MSX home computer. In this period (1989-1993) the group (named MSX-Engine [4]) released three indie games, a disk magazine, a music tracker and an Assembler.[5] In 1994 some of the people from MSX-Engine started working on a game for the Super NES, and the name was changed to Engine Software later the same year. In 1995 the group officially founded the company, making it the oldest (still active) game developer in The Netherlands. The game for SNES, Corn Buster, was unreleased after a publishing deal with Sunsoft fell through.[6]

After this, Engine Software was asked by fellow game developer Vicarious Visions to support them in the development of several Game Boy Color games for clients like THQ [7] and Vatical Entertainment.[8] The relation between Vicarious Visions and Engine Software lasted another generation of handheld consoles, the Game Boy Advance, releasing games such as Powerrangers: Timeforce [9] and SpyMuppets: License to Croak. Soon after the companies each went their own way.

Nintendo DS era (2005–2012)

In terms of sheer quantity this was Engine Software's most productive period, with 51 Nintendo DS titles released.[10] Following their supporting developer role with Vicarious Visions earlier, Engine Software worked in the same role with 1st Playable Productions and Artificial Mind and Movement[11] (rebranded back to Behaviour Interactive in 2010) on a wide range of Nintendo DS games based on licensed properties from Disney and Nickelodeon. At the same time the studio launched more games of its own design like Just Sing! and Lost Identities. With German publisher DTP Young Entertainment they developed a range of educational games for the German Market called "Think Kids" (licensed from Ravensburger),[12] and they also signed a multi-game development deal with Belgian production house Studio 100 based on their TV properties (Mega Mindy, Maya the Bee, K3).

Dutch publisher Playlogic Entertainment NV, which purchased a minority share in Engine Software in 2003[13] invested in an original concept by the studio for PlayStation Portable called Stateshift. After a year in development Playlogic cancelled the development, and in early 2007 Engine Software bought back the shares from Playlogic Entertainment. The game Stateshift for PlayStation Portable was independently finished by Engine Software and published by Midas Interactive[14] in Europe and Conspiracy Entertainment in the United States. Engine Software and Playlogic still collaborated on two Nintendo DS games after this: Dragonhunters in 2008[15] and Aliens in the Attic in 2009.[16] During this time Engine Software also formed a relationship with Milan-based publisher 505 Games due to their penchant of creating games based on licensed materials. With 505 Games, Engine Software released movie-based games Cats & Dogs 2: The Revenge of Kitty Galore and HOP: THe Video Game.[17]

Multi-platform era (2012–2020)

Around 2012 most work-for-hire licensed games work had dried up, and Engine Software rebranded itself as a multi-platform developer specializing in ports and adaptations of a wide area of games, from indie titles to triple-A titles. The first project was a multi-year multi-platform collaboration with 505 Games and Re-Logic to bring the smash-hit Terraria from PC to consoles, starting with PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360[18] in 2013 and later that year to PlayStation Vita.[19] These releases were followed by versions of Terraria for PlayStation 4[20] and Xbox One[21] in 2014, and finally a Wii U version 2016.[22] During this time Engine Software and Re-Logic also collaborated on the concept and design for a Terraria spin-off title called Terraria: Otherworld which Re-Logic announced in 2015.[23] Otherworld's development had some significant issues and delays causing Re-Logic to move development of the title to a different studio in 2017.[24]

Games developed

YearTitlePlatform(s)Note(s)
1991DizzyMSX2Developer
1992Dix
1993D.A.S.S.
2000Twisted MindMicrosoft WindowsDeveloper
Pro DartsGame Boy ColorSupporting developer Vicarious Visions
Supporting developer Vicarious Visions
2001Sea-Doo HydrocrossSupporting developer Vicarious Visions
Supporting developer Vicarious Visions
Suske & Wiske: de TijdtemmersDeveloper
Kelly Club: Clubhouse FunDeveloper
€uro-ManMicrosoft WindowsDeveloper
Leve de KoninginDeveloper
Power Rangers: Time ForceGame Boy AdvanceSupporting developer Vicarious Visions
20025 Jumbo Puzzels: KastelenMicrosoft WindowsDeveloper
ArtifactGame Boy AdvanceDeveloper
2003Supporting developer Vicarious Visions with GBA conversion
Muppets: On with the ShowSupporting developer Vicarious Visions
Supporting developer Vicarious Visions
Coronel Indoor KartracingMicrosoft WindowsDeveloper
2004Mr. Donutman
Wade Hixton's Counter PunchGame Boy Advance
2006DigiBlast
Gormiti 1: The Masters of Gorm Island
Truckz
2007Cuccioli Cerca Amici
Gormiti 2: Lotta Oscura
Gormiti 3: Aggualo nella Valle
SparkBlast
Game Boy AdvanceSupporting developer A2M
StateShiftPlayStation PortableDeveloper
Supporting developer Playlogic Entertainment
Marvel Trading Card GameNintendo DSSupporting developer 1st Playable Productions
Puzzle QuestDS Conversion
Supporting developer A2M
2008Supporting developer 1st Playable Productions
Dragon HuntersDeveloper
Polar BowlerDS conversion
Think KidsDeveloper
TropixDS conversion
Bang AttackWiiDeveloper
2009Gripskids: DeutschNintendo DSDeveloper
Gripskids: MathematikDeveloper
Gripskids: SachkundeDeveloper
Just Sing!Developer
My Virtual Tutor Reading: Pre-K to KindergartenSupporting developer 1st Playable Productions
My Virtual Tutor Reading: Kindergarten to 1st GradeSupporting developer 1st Playable Productions
My Virtual Tutor Reading: 1st Grade to 2nd GradeSupporting developer 1st Playable Productions
Princess in LoveDeveloper
RummikubDeveloper
Think Kids 2Developer
2010Aliens in the AtticDeveloper
Cats & Dogs: the Revenge of Kitty GaloreDeveloper
Dance! It's Your StageDeveloper
Music für KidsDeveloper
Bejeweled 2WiiDeveloper
2011Het Studio 100 Speel EilandDeveloper
HopNintendo DSDeveloper
Jewel Quest IV: HeritageDeveloper
Lost Treasures of AlexandriaDeveloper
Real Crimes: The Unicorn KillerDeveloper
Mahjong 3D: Warriors of the EmperorNintendo 3DSDeveloper
2012AzadaDeveloper
Secret Mysteries in LondonDeveloper
Mad Dog McCreeDeveloper
2013Nintendo DSSupporting developer Behaviour Interactive
MayaSupporting developer Studio 100
TerrariaPlayStation 3Handled port
PlayStation Vita
Xbox 360
4 ElementsNintendo 3DSDeveloper
Hidden Expedition Titanic
Jewel Quest IV: Heritage
Jewel Quest: The Sapphire Dragon
Luxor HD
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove
Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst
Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst
2014Mindfeud
Sumico
Proun+iOS
TerrariaPlayStation 4Handled port
2015DinoxWii UDeveloper
Smart Adventures – Mission Math: Sabotage at the Space Station
Gunslugs 2Nintendo 3DSHandled port
Proun+
Toki Tori 3D
2016Gunslugs
TerrariaWii U
2017Earthlock
Android
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
PlayStation Vita
WuppoPlayStation 4
Blossom TalesNintendo Switch
Rive: Ultimate Edition[25]
Monopoly for Nintendo Switch[26]
Little Nightmares
2018The Escapists 2
Into the Breach
Risk
8-Bit ArmiesPlayStation 4
Underworld Ascendant
Killer7Microsoft Windows
2019Nintendo Switch
The Caligula Effect: Overdose
Microsoft Windows
2020
Nintendo Switch
Adam's Venture: Origins
No More Heroes
MonstrumNintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Little NightmaresStadia
Monopoly[27]
2021Microsoft Windows
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Stadia
Xbox One
Little Nightmares IINintendo Switch
[28] Microsoft Windows
Nintendo Switch
Microsoft Windows
Nintendo Switch
Monopoly Madness
Luna
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Stadia
Xbox One
TBAShadows of the Damned RemasteredTBA

Middleware

The Engine Software Music Replayer is a piece of music sequencer middleware, developed by Engine Software. It was developed for use on the Game Boy Advance, and later reproduced in a version for use on the Nintendo DS. It was licensed to many other developers for both platforms.

Key staff

Engine Software is run by Ivo Wubbels (CEO) and Ruud van de Moosdijk (VP Development), both founders of the company in 1995. Other key figures within the company include Senior producer Jeroen Schmitz also one of the founders of the company, Lead Technology programmer Jan-Lieuwe Koopmans who created the Music Replayer, and composer Bart Roijmans who scored almost all of Engine Software's games.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game is coming back . 10 September 2020 .
  2. Web site: Ys IX: Monstrum Nox announced for Switch . 23 June 2020 .
  3. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV Announced for North America . https://web.archive.org/web/20200401215218/https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2020/04/01/the-legend-of-heroes-trails-of-cold-steel-iv-announced-for-north-america . dead . April 1, 2020 . .
  4. Web site: MSX Resource Center . Category:MSX-Engine (Group) - MSX Wiki . Msx.org . 2021-07-27 . 2022-08-22.
  5. Web site: MSX Resource Center . Category:MSX-Engine (Group) - MSX Wiki . Msx.org . 2021-07-27 . 2022-08-22.
  6. Web site: Unseen Interviews: Ruud van de Moosdijk and Corn Busters - Unseen64 . 16 July 2008 .
  7. Web site: SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost Spatula . 31 March 2001 .
  8. Web site: AMF Xtreme Bowling . 13 July 2000 .
  9. Web site: Power Rangers Time Force . 2 November 2001 .
  10. Web site: Nintendo DS Games – Engine Software BV .
  11. Web site: The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Circle of Spies Review . 13 November 2007 .
  12. Web site: Think Kids for Nintendo DS (2008) - MobyGames . www.mobygames.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110406231107/http://www.mobygames.com/game/think-kids . 2011-04-06.
  13. Web site: Playlogic Buys Out Engine Software - Press Release .
  14. Web site: Welcome to Midas Interactive .
  15. Web site: Dragon Hunters DS released next month .
  16. Web site: Aliens in the Attic .
  17. Web site: 505 Games Announces Hop: The Movie Game Coming Soon to Nintendo DS - IGN. 8 March 2011 .
  18. Web site: Terraria heading to PSN and XBLA early next year. Eurogamer. 11 September 2012.
  19. Web site: Indie darling Terraria announced for PlayStation Vita. Eurogamer. 28 March 2013.
  20. Web site: Terraria hits PS4 on Tuesday - can you dig it?.
  21. Web site: Terraria carves out an Xbox One release today.
  22. Web site: Terraria confirmed for 3DS and Wii U. Eurogamer. 8 June 2015.
  23. Web site: Terraria: Otherworld trailer shows an alternate dimension to the sandbox. 16 February 2015.
  24. Web site: Terraria: Otherworld update reveals a new 'development partner'. PC Gamer. 4 April 2017.
  25. Web site: Thomas . Whitehead . RIVE is Coming to the Nintendo Switch This Year With an 'Exclusive Expansion' . . 27 February 2017 . 27 February 2017.
  26. Web site: Monopoly Coming To Nintendo Switch With HD Rumble Dice Rolling. Nintendo Life. April 13, 2017. June 14, 2017.
  27. Web site: Bradshaw. Kyle. 2020-04-28. Ubisoft released Monopoly for Google Stadia. 2020-08-03. 9to5Google. en-US.
  28. Web site: The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV . Engine Software BV . April 4, 2020.