EGames (video game developer)
| Company type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Predecessor | Romtech, Applied Optical Media |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Fate | Rebranded as Entertainment Games in 2011; ceased entertainment operations in 2012; corporate identity transferred to Tamino Minerals |
| Headquarters | Langhorne, Pennsylvania , United States |
| Products | Casual and conventional computer games including Burger Island, Defender of the Crown, Darwinia, Space Rangers 2: Dominators |
eGames, Inc. was a U.S.-based software publisher and developer specializing in both casual and conventional computer games, headquartered in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
History
The company initially operated under the name Rom-Tech when it went public in 1996. It originated from the merger of a software distribution business (Romtech) and Applied Optical Media, an educational multimedia developer located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Shortly after its IPO, Romtech acquired a small office/home office (SOHO) software developer based in San Luis Obispo and subsequently shut down the operations of Applied Optical Media.
The flight simulation title Xtreme Air Racing developed by eGames was a finalist for GameSpot’s 2002 "Best Simulation on PC" accolade. In late 2005, eGames expanded its portfolio by acquiring Cinemaware, a company famous for its "interactive movie" style games such as Defender of the Crown. Under the Cinemaware Marquee brand, eGames released internationally recognized traditional games including Space Rangers 2: Dominators, the IGF grand prize-winning Darwinia, and Moscow to Berlin: Red Siege. The company also announced intentions to reintroduce classic Cinemaware franchises, beginning with Defender of the Crown.
Starting with Boss Hunter: Revenge is Sweet! in September 2005 and continuing with early 2007’s Defender of the Crown: Heroes Live Forever, eGames embarked on internal development efforts primarily in partnership with Brazil’s TechFront Studios. Their third internally developed game, Burger Island, launched in May 2007 through collaboration with Sandlot Games, was distributed via Yahoo! Games and achieved top rankings for sales and downloads during its debut week.
Building on the success of Burger Island, eGames continued to develop multiple titles alongside TechFront, including Burger Island 2: The Missing Ingredient (2009), the vampire-themed hidden object adventure The Dracula Files (2009), the pet adoption time management game Purrfect Pet Shop (2008), the city-building puzzle game Puzzle City (2007), fashion design time management title Satisfashion (2008), licensed puzzle game Rubik's Cube Challenge (2007), and the licensed comic-based hidden object game Three Stooges: Treasure Hunt Hijinx (2008). Beyond PC releases, Burger Island also became available on Nintendo DS, Wii, and iOS platforms; both Satisfashion and Puzzle City were ported to DS and Wii systems.
In June 2011, following the acquisition of Heyday Games, eGames rebranded itself as Entertainment Games. The company shifted focus toward developing social games on Facebook, notably releasing Retro World. However, a subsequent Kickstarter campaign for Global Race Club failed to meet funding goals.
Due to financial challenges, Entertainment Games halted its entertainment-related activities in April 2012. Its corporate identity, including the ticker symbol EGAM and public company status, was transferred through a reverse merger to mining company Tamino Minerals.
Bundled adware
eGames Inc. was among the pioneers incorporating advertising within commercially bundled software. Several of their products contained adware known as "TSAdBot," which originated from the Conducent Affiliate Network.
Cinemaware Marquee titles
- Buccaneer's Bounty
- Deer Drive
- Darwinia
- Moscow to Berlin: Red Siege
- Neighbors From Hell: On Vacation
- Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators
- Wizard's War Chest
Titles published by eGames
- The Dracula Files
- Booym
- Burger Island and its sequel Burger Island 2: The Missing Ingredient
- Defender of the Crown: Heroes Live Forever
- Gadgets
- Marble Blaster
- MiniGolf Master: Miniverse
- Purrfect Pet Shop
- Puzzle City
- Satisfashion
- Rubik's Cube Challenge
- The Three Stooges: Treasure Hunt Hijinx
- Boss Hunter: Revenge is Sweet!
- Speedy Eggbert series
- Crazy Drake
- Spooky Castle: The Adventures Of Kid Mystic
- Safari Kongo
- Mini Car Racing
- Pinball Master and its variant Pinball: Full-Tilt Fun!
- 4 Elements
- Twistingo
- Drop!
- The Lost Inca Prophecy
- TV Guide Trivia
Notes
This organization should not be confused with e-games.com, eGames Inc Malaysia, or E-Games Philippines, all of which operate as subsidiaries specializing in MMO and regional game distribution.