GTE Interactive Media
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video game development |
| Predecessor | GTE ImagiTrek |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Richard E. Robinson |
| Defunct | March 14, 1997 |
| Fate | Shut down |
| Headquarters | Carlsbad, California , United States |
Key people | Richard E. Robinson, Richard Scott, Dick Nordman |
| Products | Video games, interactive television systems, arcade cabinets, home console cartridges, CD-ROM software |
| Parent | GTE Corporation |
GTE Interactive Media was a company engaged in video game development located in Carlsbad, California. Its expertise included producing videos, interactive television systems, and video game software for arcade cabinets, home console cartridges, and CD-ROM formats. The firm also created and distributed games under the GTE Entertainment label. It functioned as a division of GTE Corporation until it was shut down in 1997.
History
Established in 1990 by Richard E. Robinson as GTE ImagiTrek, this entity was part of GTE Vantage, a fully owned subsidiary of the former telecommunications company GTE. The name changed to GTE Interactive Media in 1994. Richard Scott, who served as vice president of New Ventures at GTE, mentioned that the division was originally intended to complement GTE's broadband video service initiatives.
In January 1995, the division collaborated with Nintendo to create arcade games and develop online networking capabilities. That same month, they showcased their debut title, FX Fighter, at the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas.
By 1995, the division had grown to 120 employees but encountered difficulties due to market conditions in the video game industry and regulatory changes stemming from the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Consequently, GTE redirected its efforts away from producing content internally toward supporting external content providers on its network infrastructure, which led to workforce reductions.
Failing to find a purchaser or strategic partner, GTE Interactive declared in January 1997 that it would lay off 85 workers and terminate operations by March 14, 1997. A small group remained on staff to maintain technical support until June 30. Dick Nordman, finance director for GTE’s New Ventures division, cited challenges within the CD-ROM sector and a strategic pivot back to core telecommunications as reasons for the shutdown.
List of games
Below is a compilation of video games developed fully or partially by GTE Interactive Media.
| Title | Platform | Developer | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Traveler Hologram | Arcade | GTE Interactive Media (for Sega) |
1991 |
| M.C. Hammer's Soulfire | Genesis | Unknown | Unreleased |
| StreetSports Jammit | PC 3DO SNES Genesis |
GTE Interactive Media | 1994 |
| Vitsie Visits Dinosaurs | PC Mac |
GTE Interactive Media (Interactive Toys brand) | |
| Vitsie Visits Space | |||
| Vitsie Visits the Ocean | |||
| FX Fighter | PC | Argonaut Games | 1995 |
| Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge CD ROM | PC | Second Vision | 1995 |
| Forrest Gump: Artists, Music, and Times | PC | GTE Interactive Media | 1995 |
| NCAA Championship Basketball | PC | GTE Interactive Media | 1995 |
| Street Hockey '95 | SNES | GTE Interactive Media | 1995 |
| Night Light | PC Mac |
GTE Interactive Media (Interactive Toys brand) |
1995 |
| Tank Girl | PC | Argonaut Games | Unreleased |
| Dust: A Tale of the Wired West | PC | Cyberflix | 1995 |
| Sea Legends | PC | Ocean Software | May 31, 1996 |
| Skull Cracker | PC | Cyberflix | September 30, 1996 |
| Timelapse | PC Mac |
GTE Interactive Media | October 16, 1996 |
| Titanic: Adventure Out of Time | PC | Cyberflix | November 12, 1996 |
| FX Fighter Turbo | PC | Argonaut Games | 1996 |