KnowWonder Digital Mediaworks

Amaze Entertainment, formerly KnowWonder, was an American video game developer based in Kirkland, Washington that operated from 1996 to 2009. Initially a developer of children's edutainment titles, they went on to develop video games for several high-profile properties, including ''Harry Potter'', ''The Lord of the Rings'', ''The Sims'', ''The Chronicles of Narnia'', and ''Pirates of the Caribbean''. During its lifespan, it was one of North America's largest independent video game developers. It was acquired by Foundation 9 Entertainment in 2006, and in 2009 was merged with its former subsidiary Griptonite Games.

History

KnowWonder (1996-2001)

Amaze Entertainment, as KnowWonder, was founded by Dan Elenbaas in 1996 in Kirkland, Washington. The company established itself as a developer of children's edutainment games with its self-published 1997 title '' The Totally Techie World of Young Dilbert'', which was created to help children learn how to use computers. However, at the time of the game's release, a price war between Hasbro Interactive, Mattel Interactive and The Learning Company lowered the prices of their offerings, leaving ''Young Dilbert'' unable to compete.

Elenbaas then decided to begin developing for larger publishers, and entered a deal with Microsoft to develop titles based on ''The Magic School Bus''. The first of these titles, ''The Magic School Bus Explores the World of Animals'', was released on April 29, 1999, and KnowWonder would develop a total of seven ''Magic School Bus'' titles up to 2001. On May 2, KnowWonder announced that it had signed deals with Microsoft and Mattel to develop products for various digital platforms. On November 1, KnowWonder announced its acquisition of the Seattle division of Realtime Associates.

On January 3, 2000, KnowWonder began production on its first project for the upcoming Xbox console, announcing its development to coincide with the console's unveiling on March 10. To accommodate its growth, KnowWonder moved to a 35,000 square foot facility in February 2000; the office was a few miles away from Microsoft and Nintendo of America. The company's Xbox title, '' Azurik: Rise of Perathia'', was released on November 20, 2001. On November 16, KnowWonder released three video games based on ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'' to coincide with the film's American premiere.

Amaze Entertainment (2002-2009)

At the turn of 2001-02, the company was renamed Amaze Entertainment, while the branch responsible for personal computer titles retained the KnowWonder name. On March 12, 2002, Amaze Entertainment acquired Austin, Texas-based developer The Fizz Factor, which was formed from former Human Code employees. In 2003, the KnowWonder studio won the Stevie Award for Best Creative Team in the inaugural American Business Awards. By this time, the company was one of North America's largest independent video game developers, employing around 200 people. In September 2003, it was named the second fastest-growing technology company in Washington by accounting firm Deloitte & Touche.

Starting 2005, each production of the company (and its subordinate studios) would be signed under the Amaze Entertainment banner. In November 2006, the company was acquired by Foundation 9 Entertainment (F9E). On July 21, 2008, F9E announced that the Amaze Entertainment brand would be split to promote the autonomy of its three studios, with the original Kirkland studio retaining the Amaze Entertainment name. At the time, Amaze Entertainment employed over 250 people. In July 2009, F9E announced that, due to a slowdown in the video game industry, it would be closing The Fizz Factor and merging Amaze Entertainment and Griptonite Games. As stated by the company, these measures were aimed to align the company's production capacity with concurrent market conditions and maintain profitability and service quality for its partners and employees.

Divisions

*KnowWonder – After the parent company was renamed Amaze Entertainment, the division responsible for PC productions of popular brands retained the name. The division was headed by Lindsay Gupton. The brand was discontinued in 2005.
*Griptonite Games (formerly Realtime Associates Seattle) – Founded by Steve Ettinger in 1994 and acquired in November 1999 by KnowWonder, this division was responsible for productions and ports for Nintendo handheld consoles. The division was headed by Steven Ettinger, and was sold in August 2011 to Glu Mobile.
*Adrenium Games – Founded in December 1999 in Kirkland, this division was responsible for next-gen productions, i.e. for new-generation consoles. The division was headed by Michael Waite. The brand was discontinued in 2005.
*The Fizz Factor – An Austin, Texas-based studio that was formed from former Human Code employees and acquired on March 12, 2002. The division was headed by Rodney Gibbs and employed approximately 50 people. It closed in July 2009.
*Black Ship Games – A division established in April 2003 specifically for the Asian market that was headed by Scott K. Tsumura and was dissolved in 2005 after releasing its sole title, ''Digimon Rumble Arena 2''.
*Amaze Entertainment - The division took over from KnowWonder and Adrenium Games in 2005, expanding its portfolio to include titles for the PlayStation Portable. Until 2006, Lindsay Gupton was the studio's CEO, and after him, Michael Waite took over. In July 2009, it was consolidated with Griptonite Games.

Games developed

As KnowWonder

As Amaze Entertainment

References

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1996 establishments in Washington (state)
2006 mergers and acquisitions
2009 disestablishments in Washington (state)
American companies established in 1996
Defunct companies based in Kirkland, Washington
Defunct video game companies of the United States
Video game companies based in Washington (state)
Video game companies established in 1996
Video game companies disestablished in 2009