Rocket Science Games
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Steve Blank, Peter Barrett |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Fate | Dissolved due to lack of funding |
Key people | Steve Blank, Peter Barrett, Brian Moriarty, Will Harvey |
| Products | Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs: The Second Cataclysm, Wing Nuts: Battle in the Sky, Rocket Jockey, Obsidian, The Space Bar |
| Parent | Sega Enterprises (publisher in North America), Bertelsmann Music Group (publisher in Europe) |
Rocket Science Games operated as a video game developer and publisher from 1993 until 1997, recognized for titles including Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs: The Second Cataclysm, Wing Nuts: Battle in the Sky, Rocket Jockey, and Obsidian. Their final project, The Space Bar, was released by SegaSoft following the company's dissolution. Additionally, six other projects were left incomplete.
Established in 1993 by serial entrepreneur Steve Blank alongside Peter Barrett, Rocket Science Games sought to blend the storytelling flair of Hollywood with cutting-edge Silicon Valley technology to craft cinematic gaming experiences. In 1994, the company secured $12 million in funding from Sega Enterprises and Bertelsmann Music Group, which acted as its publishers in North America and Europe respectively. Despite recruiting skilled designers such as Brian Moriarty and Will Harvey, the company's extensive reliance on full motion video (FMV) technology did not translate into commercial success; by 1997, their initial releases had each sold fewer than 20,000 copies.
Steve Blank later reflected on the swift downfall of the company despite early enthusiasm and financial backing, attributing it to poor sales figures, rapid expenditure, and staff departures. After underwhelming initial results, SegaSoft assumed publishing responsibilities and terminated roughly half of Rocket Science’s projects to reduce expenses, negatively affecting the quality of their output. For instance, Rocket Jockey was released without the promised local area network functionality, while Obsidian was plagued by bugs that impaired gameplay. Both titles failed to meet financial expectations, culminating in Rocket Science’s closure in April 1997 due to lack of funding.
In 1996, Rocket Science revealed a collaboration with virtual currency company CyberCash to develop a micropayment-enabled virtual arcade using their "V3 Internet game engine," intending to offer classic arcade games online. Although this initiative attracted media interest, it never materialized, likely influenced by SegaSoft’s acquisition and subsequent cutbacks. Later on, SegaSoft integrated CyberCash’s payment system into its Heat.net online gaming service, which ceased operations in 2000 following SegaSoft’s restructuring and CyberCash’s bankruptcy.
The Space Bar, created by renowned game designer Steve Meretzky, was originally planned for release under Rocket Science but was handed over to SegaSoft after the company's shutdown.
Legacy
Darwin Pond, an unreleased title finalized before Rocket Science’s closure, was eventually made available for free online by its developer Jeffrey Ventrella. As of July 2022, Ventrella along with Brian Dodd are working on a new iteration.
Rocket Jockey remains a subject of ongoing interest among media outlets and developers alike, with five documented remake projects primarily consisting of mods that replicate the original gameplay experience. In 2011, Ars Technica featured the game in an article titled "Masterpiece: Rocket Jockey for the PC -- you heard me."
Released
- Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine (1994)
- Cadillacs and Dinosaurs: The Second Cataclysm (1994)
- Wing Nuts: Battle in the Sky (1995)
- Rocket Jockey (1996)
- Obsidian (1997)
- The Space Bar (1997)
Unreleased Titles (in Alphabetical Order)
- Dark Ride
- Darwin Pond
- Ganymede
- Loadstar II: Showdown on Phobos
- Pest!
- Rocket Boy
External links
- Archived Rocket Science Games Official Website
- Rocket Science Games Company Profile on MobyGames
- Official Darwin Pond Website
- Not to be mistaken for the recently established Welsh gaming firm, Rocket Science Group
Articles
- Wired Magazine: Rocket Science 1994 feature on RSG
- "Coming Soon" Feature 1996 article covering SegaSoft and RSG
- Business Wire Report Preview of RSG from 1996