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{{short description|American video game developer}}
{{Short description|American video game developer}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2019}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Digital Eclipse
| name = Digital Eclipse Entertainment Partners Co.
| logo = Digital Eclipse logo.png
| logo = Digital Eclipse logo.png
| former_name = Backbone Emeryville
| former_name = Backbone Emeryville {{nowrap|(2003–2015)}}
| type = [[Division (business)|Division]]
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[Video game industry]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1992}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|1992}}
| founder = Andrew Ayre
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Andrew Ayre|Hans Kim|John Neil|Howard Fukuda}}
| hq_location_city = [[Emeryville, California|Emeryville]], [[California]]
| hq_location_city = [[Emeryville, California]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| hq_location_country = US
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Mike Mika|([[studio head]])|[[Frank Cifaldi]]|(head of restoration)|Andrew Ayre|([[President (corporate title)|president]], [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])}}
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Andrew Ayre ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Mike Mika ([[President (corporate title)|president]])}}
| products =
| products =
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent = {{Unbulleted list|[[Backbone Entertainment]] (2003–2015)|Other Ocean Group (2015–present)}}
| parent = {{Unbulleted list|[[Backbone Entertainment]] {{nowrap|(2003–2015)}}|[[Other Ocean Interactive|Other Ocean Group]] {{nowrap|(2015–2023)}}|[[Atari SA]] {{nowrap|(2023–present)}}}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.digitaleclipse.com/|digitaleclipse.com}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.digitaleclipse.com/|digitaleclipse.com}}
}}
}}


'''Digital Eclipse''' is an American [[video game developer]] based in [[Emeryville, California]]. Founded by Andrew Ayre in 1992, the company found success developing commercial [[Video game emulation|emulations]] of [[arcade game]]s for [[Game Boy Color]]. In 2003, the company merged with [[ImaginEngine]] and created [[Backbone Entertainment]]. A group of Digital Eclipse employees split off from Backbone to form [[Other Ocean Interactive]], which, in 2015, bought and revived the Digital Eclipse brand. Among its staff is [[video game preservation]] specialist [[Frank Cifaldi]].
'''Digital Eclipse Entertainment Partners Co.''' is an American [[video game developer]] based in [[Emeryville, California]]. Founded by Andrew Ayre in 1992, the company found success developing commercial [[Video game emulation|emulations]] of [[arcade game]]s for [[Game Boy Color]]. In 2003, the company merged with [[ImaginEngine]] and created [[Backbone Entertainment]]. A group of Digital Eclipse employees split off from Backbone to form Other Ocean Interactive, which, in 2015, bought and revived the Digital Eclipse brand.


== History ==
== History ==
Digital Eclipse was founded in 1992 by Andrew Ayre, a [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador]], native and [[Harvard University]] graduate.<ref name="The Andrean">{{cite journal |url=https://archive.org/details/theandrean2009532stan/page/60 |title=From St. John's to California Gaming ... and back |first=Jim |last=McGillivray |date=2009 |journal=[[The Andrean]]}}</ref> The company's first offices were opened on a "nondescript, factory-filled" street in [[Emeryville, California]], where Ayre had moved following his graduation to live with his girlfriend.<ref name="The Andrean" /><ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-death-jr-developer-chris-charla/1100-6094341/ |title=Q&A: Death, Jr. developer Chris Charla |first=Curt |last=Feldman |date=April 23, 2004 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520020027/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-death-jr-developer-chris-charla/1100-6094341/ |archive-date=May 20, 2018 |dead-url=no}}</ref> Initially a technology [[startup company]], Digital Eclipse soon found that their software would be useful in the [[video game industry]], and turned to game development instead.<ref name="The Andrean" /> Using their technology, the company opted to produce commercial [[Video game emulation|emulations]] of [[arcade game]]s, such as [[Williams Electronics]]' ''[[Joust (video game)|Joust]]'', ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]'', and ''[[Robotron: 2084]]''.<ref name="VentureBeat">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/22/other-ocean-building-the-past-the-future-and-the-present/ |title=Other Ocean: Building the past, the future, and the present |author=VB Staff |date=September 22, 2017 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416154121/https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/22/other-ocean-building-the-past-the-future-and-the-present/ |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |dead-url=no}}</ref> For these games, Digital Eclipse developed a [[Interpreter (computing)|interpreter]] that emulated the games' arcade machines' [[chipset]], including the [[Motorola 6809]] [[central processing unit]].<ref name="Wired">{{cite journal |url=https://www.wired.com/1995/08/they-do-make-em-like-they-used-to/ |title=They Do Make 'Em Like They Used To |first=J. Caleb |last=Donaldson |date=August 1, 1995 |journal=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222092900/https://www.wired.com/1995/08/they-do-make-em-like-they-used-to/ |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |dead-url=no}}</ref> This approach was meant to have the emulations act true to the original versions of these games, and not carry any imperfections direct [[Porting|ports]] could have introduced.<ref name="VentureBeat" /> All three emulated games were released as part of ''The Digital Arcade'' series for [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]] in 1995.<ref name="Wired" />
Digital Eclipse was founded in 1992 by Andrew Ayre, Hans Kim, John Neil, and Howard Fukuda.<ref name="Retro Gamer">{{cite magazine |title=Studio Profile: Digital Eclipse |first=Martyn |last=Carroll |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=237 |date=September 1, 2022 |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |pages=70–75}}</ref> The company's first offices were opened on a "nondescript, factory-filled" street in [[Emeryville, California]], where Ayre (a native of [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador]]) had moved following his graduation from [[Harvard University]] to live with his girlfriend.<ref name="The Andrean">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/theandrean2009532stan/page/60 |title=From St. John's to California Gaming ... and back |first=Jim |last=McGillivray |date=2009 |magazine=[[The Andrean]] |via=[[Internet Archive]] |access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref><ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-death-jr-developer-chris-charla/1100-6094341/ |title=Q&A: Death, Jr. developer Chris Charla |first=Curt |last=Feldman |date=April 23, 2004 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520020027/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-death-jr-developer-chris-charla/1100-6094341/ |archive-date=May 20, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Initially a technology [[startup company]], Digital Eclipse soon found that their software would be useful in the [[video game industry]], and turned to game development instead.<ref name="The Andrean" /> Using their technology, the company opted to produce commercial [[Video game emulation|emulations]] of [[arcade game]]s, such as [[Williams Electronics]]' ''[[Joust (video game)|Joust]]'', ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]'', and ''[[Robotron: 2084]]''.<ref name="VentureBeat">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/22/other-ocean-building-the-past-the-future-and-the-present/ |title=Other Ocean: Building the past, the future, and the present |author=VB Staff |date=September 22, 2017 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416154121/https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/22/other-ocean-building-the-past-the-future-and-the-present/ |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> For these games, Digital Eclipse developed an [[Interpreter (computing)|interpreter]] that emulated the games' arcade machines' [[chipset]], including the [[Motorola 6809]] [[central processing unit]].<ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/1995/08/they-do-make-em-like-they-used-to/ |title=They Do Make 'Em Like They Used To |first=J. Caleb |last=Donaldson |date=August 1, 1995 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222092900/https://www.wired.com/1995/08/they-do-make-em-like-they-used-to/ |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> This approach was meant to have the emulations act true to the original versions of these games, and not carry any imperfections direct [[Porting|ports]] could have introduced.<ref name="VentureBeat" /> All three emulated games were released as part of ''The Digital Arcade'' series for [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]] in 1995.<ref name="Wired" />


Digital Eclipse found further success when the [[Game Boy Color]] was released; the new [[handheld console]] included a central processing unit based on the architecture of the [[Zilog Z80]], the processor used in older arcade machines.<ref name="VentureBeat" /> While other developers were moving on to develop for the more powerful [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] [[video game console|home console]], Digital Eclipse developed about 60 games for their niche market on the Game Boy Color.<ref name="VentureBeat" /> These games included ''[[Klax (video game)|Klax]]'', ''[[Spy Hunter]]'', ''[[Moon Patrol]]'', ''[[Paperboy (video game)|Paperboy]]'', ''Joust'', ''Defender'', and ''[[720°]]'', as well as an original game, ''[[Disney's Tarzan (video game)|Tarzan]]'', which Digital Eclipse produced for [[Activision]].<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/17/lords-of-the-jungle |title=Lords of the Jungle |first=Peer |last=Schneider |date=July 16, 1999 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131065920/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/17/lords-of-the-jungle |archive-date=January 31, 2018 |dead-url=no}}</ref> Digital Eclipse also opened a second studio in [[Vancouver]], Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/28/spyro-2-season-of-flame-3 |title=Spyro 2: Season of Flame |first=Craig |last=Harris |date=May 28, 2002 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> In February 2001, the company announced their move into the games market for [[wireless Web]] devices, hiring Scott Nisbet as director of wireless gaming, as well as Bruce Binder as Nisbet's consultant.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/2001/03/21/playing-for-keeps/04db9c71-6ffc-4d8d-b47f-c65a71c61567/ |title=Playing for Keeps |first=Peter S. |last=Goodman |date=March 21, 2001 |website=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>
Digital Eclipse found further success when the [[Game Boy Color]] was released; the new [[handheld console]] included a central processing unit based on the architecture of the [[Zilog Z80]], the processor used in a number of older arcade machines.<ref name="VentureBeat" /> While other developers were moving on to develop for the more powerful [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] [[video game console|home console]], Digital Eclipse developed about 60 games for their niche market on the Game Boy Color.<ref name="VentureBeat" /> These games included ''[[Klax (video game)|Klax]]'', ''[[Spy Hunter]]'', ''[[Moon Patrol]]'', ''[[Paperboy (video game)|Paperboy]]'', ''Joust'', ''Defender'', and ''[[720°]]'', as well as an original game, ''[[Disney's Tarzan (video game)|Tarzan]]'', which Digital Eclipse produced for [[Activision]].<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/17/lords-of-the-jungle |title=Lords of the Jungle |first=Peer |last=Schneider |date=July 16, 1999 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131065920/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/17/lords-of-the-jungle |archive-date=January 31, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Digital Eclipse also opened a second studio in [[Vancouver]], Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/28/spyro-2-season-of-flame-3 |title=Spyro 2: Season of Flame |first=Craig |last=Harris |date=May 28, 2002 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115081856/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/28/spyro-2-season-of-flame-3 |url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2001, the company announced their move into the games market for "wireless Web" devices, hiring Scott Nisbet as director of wireless gaming, as well as Bruce Binder as Nisbet's consultant.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/2001/03/21/playing-for-keeps/04db9c71-6ffc-4d8d-b47f-c65a71c61567/ |title=Playing for Keeps |first=Peter S. |last=Goodman |date=March 21, 2001 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115081910/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/2001/03/21/playing-for-keeps/04db9c71-6ffc-4d8d-b47f-c65a71c61567/ |url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2003, Digital Eclipse merged with [[ImaginEngine]], creating [[Backbone Entertainment]]; while ImaginEngine remained an independent studio within that structure, Digital Eclipse's studios became Backbone Emeryville and Backbone Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/12/imaginengine-game-studio-shuts-down-exclusive/ |title=ImaginEngine game studio shuts down (exclusive) |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=October 12, 2012 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201051533/https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/12/imaginengine-game-studio-shuts-down-exclusive/ |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |dead-url=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/19/foundation-9-goes-next-gen |title=Foundation 9 Goes Next-Gen |first=David |last=Adams |date=August 19, 2005 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> By this point, Digital Eclipse had produced 70 games on 11 different platforms.<ref name="GameSpot" /> In February 2006, Backbone opened another subsidiary studio, Backbone Charlottetown, in [[Charlottetown]], [[Prince Edward Island]], Canada, under the lead of Ayre.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/99006/Foundation_9_To_Open_New_Canadian_Studio.php |title=Foundation 9 To Open New Canadian Studio |first=Simon |last=Carless |date=February 6, 2006 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref> In May 2007, the new studio, including Ayre and several former Digital Eclipse employees, spun off from Backbone and became [[Other Ocean Interactive]], aiming at showcasing Digital Eclipse's former traits in a smaller fashion.<ref name="VentureBeat" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/109109/Other_Ocean_iPhone_To_Be_Major_Player_In_Handheld_Market.php |title=Other Ocean: iPhone To Be 'Major Player' In Handheld Market |first=Brandon |last=Boyer |date=April 7, 2008 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514024915/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/109109/Other_Ocean_iPhone_To_Be_Major_Player_In_Handheld_Market.php |archive-date=May 14, 2014 |dead-url=no}}</ref>
In 2003, Digital Eclipse merged with [[ImaginEngine]], creating [[Backbone Entertainment]]; while ImaginEngine remained an independent studio within that structure, Digital Eclipse's studios became Backbone Emeryville and Backbone Vancouver, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/12/imaginengine-game-studio-shuts-down-exclusive/ |title=ImaginEngine game studio shuts down (exclusive) |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=October 12, 2012 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201051533/https://venturebeat.com/2012/10/12/imaginengine-game-studio-shuts-down-exclusive/ |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/19/foundation-9-goes-next-gen |title=Foundation 9 Goes Next-Gen |first=David |last=Adams |date=August 19, 2005 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115081856/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/19/foundation-9-goes-next-gen |url-status=live}}</ref> By this point, Digital Eclipse had produced 70 games on 11 different platforms.<ref name="GameSpot" /> In February 2006, Backbone opened another subsidiary studio, Backbone Charlottetown, in [[Charlottetown]], [[Prince Edward Island]], Canada, under the lead of Ayre.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/99006/Foundation_9_To_Open_New_Canadian_Studio.php |title=Foundation 9 To Open New Canadian Studio |first=Simon |last=Carless |date=February 6, 2006 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115081858/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/foundation-9-to-open-new-canadian-studio |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2007, the new studio, including Ayre and several former Digital Eclipse employees, spun off from Backbone and became [[Other Ocean Interactive]], aiming at showcasing Digital Eclipse's former traits in a smaller fashion.<ref name="VentureBeat" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/109109/Other_Ocean_iPhone_To_Be_Major_Player_In_Handheld_Market.php |title=Other Ocean: iPhone To Be 'Major Player' In Handheld Market |first=Brandon |last=Boyer |date=April 7, 2008 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514024915/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/109109/Other_Ocean_iPhone_To_Be_Major_Player_In_Handheld_Market.php |archive-date=May 14, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>


Backbone Vancouver was mostly dismantled in September 2008 and closed entirely in May 2009, while Backbone laid off the majority of its Emeryville-based staff in October 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.straight.com/article-198534/video-game-family-tree |title=Vancouver's video game family tree |first=Blaine |last=Kyllo |date=January 28, 2009 |website=[[The Georgia Straight]] |access-date=April 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410060429/https://www.straight.com/article-198534/video-game-family-tree |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |dead-url=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/megabytes/2009/11/18/it-game-over-vancouvers-video-game-industry-not-quite-yet |title=Is it Game Over for Vancouver's Video Game Industry? Not quite yet |first=Terry |last=Lavender |date=November 18, 2009 |website=[[Vancouver Observer]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222174950/http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/megabytes/2009/11/18/it-game-over-vancouvers-video-game-industry-not-quite-yet |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |dead-url=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/179049/Layoffs_at_digital_game_studio_Backbone_Entertainment.php |title=Layoffs at digital game studio Backbone Entertainment |first=Mike |last=Rose |date=October 9, 2012 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201054420/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/179049/Layoffs_at_digital_game_studio_Backbone_Entertainment.php |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |dead-url=no}}</ref> On June 8, 2015, after acquiring the Digital Eclipse name, Other Ocean's parent company, Other Ocean Group, announced that it had reformed Digital Eclipse as part of its Other Ocean Emeryville studio.<ref name="Gamasutra">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/245465/Digital_Eclipse_is_back_with_a_new_mission_preserve_classic_games.php |title=Digital Eclipse is back with a new mission: preserve classic games |first=Alex |last=Wawro |date=June 8, 2015 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306053006/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/245465/Digital_Eclipse_is_back_with_a_new_mission_preserve_classic_games.php |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |dead-url=no}}</ref> Co-founders include Ayre, Mike Mika—who had acted as [[technical director]] for the original Digital Eclipse—and former ''[[Gamasutra]]'' writer [[Frank Cifaldi]].<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="Gamasutra" /> The new Digital Eclipse laid its focus on [[video game preservation]], and Cifaldi became the studio's "head of restoration", a title which Cifaldi noted was an industry first.<ref name="Gamasutra" /> At the time, Cifaldi also stated that Digital Eclipse aimed at becoming the video game equivalent of [[The Criterion Collection]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/nnedam/how-mega-man-legacy-collection-is-teaching-the-video-games-industry-to-respect-its-heritage |title=How 'Mega Man Legacy Collection' Is Teaching the Video Games Industry to Respect Its Heritage |first=Chris |last=Schilling |date=August 28, 2015 |website=[[Waypoint (website)|Waypoint]]}}</ref>
Backbone Vancouver was mostly dismantled in September 2008 and closed entirely in May 2009, while Backbone laid off the majority of its Emeryville-based staff in October 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.straight.com/article-198534/video-game-family-tree |title=Vancouver's video game family tree |first=Blaine |last=Kyllo |date=January 28, 2009 |website=[[The Georgia Straight]] |access-date=April 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410060429/https://www.straight.com/article-198534/video-game-family-tree |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/megabytes/2009/11/18/it-game-over-vancouvers-video-game-industry-not-quite-yet |title=Is it Game Over for Vancouver's Video Game Industry? Not quite yet |first=Terry |last=Lavender |date=November 18, 2009 |website=[[Vancouver Observer]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222174950/http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/megabytes/2009/11/18/it-game-over-vancouvers-video-game-industry-not-quite-yet |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/179049/Layoffs_at_digital_game_studio_Backbone_Entertainment.php |title=Layoffs at digital game studio Backbone Entertainment |first=Mike |last=Rose |date=October 9, 2012 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201054420/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/179049/Layoffs_at_digital_game_studio_Backbone_Entertainment.php |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> On June 8, 2015, after acquiring the Digital Eclipse name, Other Ocean's parent company, Other Ocean Group, announced that it had reformed Digital Eclipse as part of its Other Ocean Emeryville studio.<ref name="Gamasutra">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/245465/Digital_Eclipse_is_back_with_a_new_mission_preserve_classic_games.php |title=Digital Eclipse is back with a new mission: preserve classic games |first=Alex |last=Wawro |date=June 8, 2015 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306053006/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/245465/Digital_Eclipse_is_back_with_a_new_mission_preserve_classic_games.php |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Co-founders include Ayre, Mike Mika—who had acted as [[technical director]] for the original Digital Eclipse—and former ''[[Gamasutra]]'' writer [[Frank Cifaldi]].<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="Gamasutra" /> The new Digital Eclipse laid its focus on [[video game preservation]], and Cifaldi became the studio's "head of restoration", a title which Cifaldi noted was an industry first.<ref name="Gamasutra" /> At the time, Cifaldi also stated that Digital Eclipse aimed at becoming the video game equivalent of [[The Criterion Collection]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/nnedam/how-mega-man-legacy-collection-is-teaching-the-video-games-industry-to-respect-its-heritage |title=How 'Mega Man Legacy Collection' Is Teaching the Video Games Industry to Respect Its Heritage |first=Chris |last=Schilling |date=August 28, 2015 |website=[[Waypoint (website)|Waypoint]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115081859/https://www.vice.com/en/article/nnedam/how-mega-man-legacy-collection-is-teaching-the-video-games-industry-to-respect-its-heritage |url-status=live}}</ref> Cifaldi would leave Digital Eclipse around 2020 to work on the [[Video Game History Foundation]] full time.<ref>{{cite web|title="A True Original" - Digital Eclipse on 'Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story'|last=Yarwood|first=Jack|url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/interview-a-true-original-digital-eclipse-on-llamasoft-the-jeff-minter-story|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305161842/https://www.timeextension.com/features/interview-a-true-original-digital-eclipse-on-llamasoft-the-jeff-minter-story|accessdate=March 12, 2024|work=[[Gamer Network|Time Extension]]|archivedate=March 5, 2024|date=March 5, 2024}}</ref>

[[Atari SA]] announced it would acquire Digital Eclipse in October 2023 for $4&nbsp;million in cash and newly issued [[ordinary share]]s worth $2.5&nbsp;million, alongside a possible [[earn-out]] of up to $13.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-to-acquire-digital-eclipse-in-20m-deal | title = Atari to acquire Digital Eclipse in $20m deal | first = James | last = Batchelor | date = October 31, 2023 | accessdate = October 31, 2023 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] }}</ref> Atari closed the deal by November 6, 2023.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/11/06/2773718/0/en/Atari-closes-the-acquisition-of-Digital-Eclipse.html|work=[[GlobeNewswire]]|title=Atari Closes the Acquisition of Digital Eclipse|accessdate=November 6, 2023|date=November 6, 2023}}</ref>


== Eclipse Engine ==
== Eclipse Engine ==
Part of Digital Eclipse's work include their own Eclipse Engine, a tool that allows them to [[Decompiler|decompile]] the code from older games into a machine-readable format that is then used by the Eclipse Engine to play them on modern systems. While it may take some extra work by the company to decompile the older game into the proper format one time, this approach allows them to rapidly port the Eclipse Engine version to any modern gaming system, including [[personal computer]]s, [[Video game console|consoles]], and portable and mobile devices, with minimal effort. This engine has been used in Digital Eclipse's ''[[Mega Man Legacy Collection]]'' and ''[[The Disney Afternoon Collection]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/08/the-new-tech-making-game-preservation-more-authentic-and-future-proof/ |title=The new tech making game preservation more authentic and future-proof |first=Kyle |last=Orland |date=August 27, 2015 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411234901/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/08/the-new-tech-making-game-preservation-more-authentic-and-future-proof/ |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |dead-url=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/99501/disney-afternoon-collection-producer-talks-challenges-and-nostalgia |title=Disney Afternoon Collection Producer Talks Challenges and Nostalgia |first=Steve |last=Watts |date=March 23, 2017 |website=[[Shacknews]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143025/http://www.shacknews.com/article/99501/disney-afternoon-collection-producer-talks-challenges-and-nostalgia |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |dead-url=no}}</ref> The Eclipse Engine was primarily developed by Digital Eclipse's [[studio head]], Mike Mika, and Other Ocean [[Software engineer|engineer]] Kevin Wilson, branched off from Other Ocean's Bakesale engine.<ref name="Gamasutra" />
Part of Digital Eclipse's work include their own Eclipse Engine, a tool that allows them to [[Decompiler|decompile]] the code from older games into a machine-readable format that is then used by the Eclipse Engine to play them on modern systems. While it may take some extra work by the company to decompile the older game into the proper format one time, this approach allows them to rapidly port the Eclipse Engine version to any modern gaming system, including [[personal computer]]s, [[Video game console|consoles]], and portable and mobile devices, with minimal effort. This engine has been used in Digital Eclipse's ''[[Mega Man Legacy Collection]]'' and ''[[The Disney Afternoon Collection]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/08/the-new-tech-making-game-preservation-more-authentic-and-future-proof/ |title=The new tech making game preservation more authentic and future-proof |first=Kyle |last=Orland |date=August 27, 2015 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411234901/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/08/the-new-tech-making-game-preservation-more-authentic-and-future-proof/ |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/99501/disney-afternoon-collection-producer-talks-challenges-and-nostalgia |title=Disney Afternoon Collection Producer Talks Challenges and Nostalgia |first=Steve |last=Watts |date=March 23, 2017 |website=[[Shacknews]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143025/http://www.shacknews.com/article/99501/disney-afternoon-collection-producer-talks-challenges-and-nostalgia |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Eclipse Engine was primarily developed by Digital Eclipse's [[studio head]], Mike Mika, and Other Ocean [[Software engineer|engineer]] Kevin Wilson, branched off from Other Ocean's Bakesale engine.<ref name="Gamasutra" />


== Games developed ==
== Games developed ==
Line 45: Line 47:
| rowspan="3" | 1994
| rowspan="3" | 1994
| ''[[Joust (video game)|Joust]]''
| ''[[Joust (video game)|Joust]]''
| [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]]
|-
|-
| ''[[Robotron: 2084]]''
| ''[[Robotron: 2084]]''
| Mac OS
|-
|-
| ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]''
| ''[[Defender (1981 video game)|Defender]]''
| Mac OS
|-
|-
| 1995
| 1995
Line 59: Line 59:
| rowspan="3" | 1996
| rowspan="3" | 1996
| ''[[Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits|Williams Arcade Classics]]''
| ''[[Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits|Williams Arcade Classics]]''
|[[Dreamcast]], [[Game.com]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[MS-DOS]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Genesis]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]
| [[Dreamcast]], [[Game.com]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[MS-DOS]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Genesis]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]
|-
|-
| ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]''
| ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]''
Line 65: Line 65:
|-
|-
| ''[[Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1]]''
| ''[[Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1]]''
| PlayStation, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
| PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
|-
|-
| 1997
| 1997
Line 72: Line 72:
|-
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1998
| rowspan="3" | 1998
| ''[[NFL Blitz]]''
| ''[[NFL Blitz (1997 video game)|NFL Blitz]]''
| [[Game Boy Color]]
| [[Game Boy Color]]
|-
|-
Line 79: Line 79:
|-
|-
| ''[[Rampage World Tour]]''
| ''[[Rampage World Tour]]''
| Game Boy Color
| rowspan="4" | Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| rowspan="13" | 1999
| rowspan="14" | 1999
| ''[[Knockout Kings]]''
| ''[[Knockout Kings]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[Disney's Tarzan (video game)|Disney's Tarzan]]''
| ''[[Disney's Tarzan (video game)|Disney's Tarzan]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
|''Atari Arcade Hits: Volume 1''
| ''[[720°]]''
|-
| ''Atari Arcade Hits: Volume 1''
| Microsoft Windows
| rowspan="2" | Microsoft Windows
|-
|-
| ''Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 2''
| ''Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 2''
| Microsoft Windows
|-
|-
| ''[[Arcade Classic|Arcade Classic No. 4: Defender / Joust]]''
| ''[[Arcade Classic|Arcade Classic No. 4: Defender / Joust]]''
| Game Boy Color
| rowspan="5" | Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[Klax (video game)|Klax]]''
| ''[[Klax (video game)|Klax]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
|''Arcade Hits: Moon Patrol / Spy Hunter''
|''Arcade Hits: Moon Patrol / Spy Hunter''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[Rampart (video game)|Rampart]]''
| ''[[Rampart (video game)|Rampart]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[Rampage 2: Universal Tour]]''
| ''[[Rampage 2: Universal Tour]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[Arcade Party Pak]]''
| ''[[Arcade Party Pak]]''
Line 113: Line 108:
|-
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]''
| ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]''
| Game Boy Color
| rowspan="8" | Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[Marble Madness]]''
| ''[[Marble Madness]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins (video game)|Ghosts 'n Goblins]]''
| ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins (video game)|Ghosts 'n Goblins]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2000
| ''[[Dragon's Lair (1983 video game)|Dragon's Lair]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2000
| ''[[Little Nicky (video game)|Little Nicky]]''
| ''[[Little Nicky (video game)|Little Nicky]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[Alice in Wonderland (2000 video game)|Alice in Wonderland]]''
| ''[[Alice in Wonderland (2000 video game)|Alice in Wonderland]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2001
| rowspan="5" | 2001
| ''[[Dragon's Lair (Game Boy Color video game)|Dragon's Lair]]''
|-
| ''[[Batman: Chaos in Gotham]]''
| ''[[Batman: Chaos in Gotham]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[X-Men: Wolverine's Rage]]''
| ''[[X-Men: Wolverine's Rage]]''
| Game Boy Color
|-
|-
| ''[[Rayman Advance]]''
| ''[[Rayman Advance]]''
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
| rowspan="15" | [[Game Boy Advance]]
|-
|-
| ''[[Spyro: Season of Ice]]''
| ''[[Spyro: Season of Ice]]''
| Game Boy Advance
|-
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2002
| rowspan="7" | 2002
| ''[[Spider-Man: The Movie]]''
| ''[[Spider-Man (2002 video game)|Spider-Man]]''
| Game Boy Advance
|-
|-
| ''[[Disney's Lilo & Stitch (Game Boy Advance video game)|Disney's Lilo & Stitch]]''
| ''[[Disney's Lilo & Stitch (Game Boy Advance video game)|Disney's Lilo & Stitch]]''
|-
| Game Boy Advance
| ''[[Monster Force (video game)|Monster Force]]''
|-
|-
| ''[[Spyro 2: Season of Flame]]''
| ''[[Spyro 2: Season of Flame]]''
| Game Boy Advance
|-
|-
| ''[[Kim Possible (video game series)|Disney's Kim Possible: Revenge of Monkey Fist]]''
| ''[[Kim Possible (video game series)|Disney's Kim Possible: Revenge of Monkey Fist]]''
| Game Boy Advance
|-
|-
| ''[[Phantasy Star Collection]]''
| ''[[Phantasy Star Collection]]''
| Game Boy Advance
|-
|-
| ''[[XXX (video game)|XXX]]''
| rowspan="2" | 2003
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2003
| ''Lizzie McGuire: On the Go!''
| ''Lizzie McGuire: On the Go!''
|-
| Game Boy Advance
| ''Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over''
|-
|-
| ''[[Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs]]''
| ''[[Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs]]''
| Game Boy Advance
|-
|-
| ''[[Mucha Lucha! Mascaritas of the Lost Code]]''
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| ''[[Spider-Man 2 (video game)|Spider-Man 2]]''
| Game Boy Advance
|-
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2004
| ''[[Grand Theft Auto (Game Boy Advance)|Grand Theft Auto]]''
| ''[[Spider-Man 2 (2004 video game)|Spider-Man 2]]''
| Game Boy Advance
|-
| ''[[Grand Theft Auto Advance]]''
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]''
| Plug-and-play
|}
|}


=== As Backbone Entertainment (2004–2012) ===
=== As Backbone Entertainment (2004–2012) ===
{{Main|Backbone Entertainment#Games developed}}
{{Main|Backbone Entertainment}}


=== As Digital Eclipse (2015–present) ===
=== As Digital Eclipse (2015–present) ===
Line 187: Line 176:
| 2015
| 2015
| ''[[Mega Man Legacy Collection]]''
| ''[[Mega Man Legacy Collection]]''
| Microsoft Windows, [[Nintendo 3DS]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]]
| [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Nintendo 3DS]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], [[Amazon Luna]]
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017
Line 195: Line 184:
| rowspan="2" | 2018
| rowspan="2" | 2018
| ''[[Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection]]''
| ''[[Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection]]''
| Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
| rowspan="5" | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
|-
|-
| ''[[SNK 40th Anniversary Collection]]''
| ''[[SNK 40th Anniversary Collection]]''
|-
| Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
| 2019
| ''Disney Classic Games: [[Disney's Aladdin (Virgin Games video game)|Aladdin]] and [[The Lion King (video game)|The Lion King]]''
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Samurai Shodown|Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection]]''
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2021
| ''Blizzard Arcade Collection''{{efn|Co-developed with [[Blizzard Entertainment]]|lead=yes}}
|-
| ''[[Space Jam: A New Legacy|Space Jam: A New Legacy - The Game]]''
| Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
|-
| ''Disney Classic Games Collection''
| Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
|-
| rowspan="6" | 2022
| ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection]]''
| Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, [[PlayStation 5]], Xbox One, [[Xbox Series X/S]]
|-
|''Candy Creeps''
|Microsoft Windows
|-
|''Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum''{{Efn|Co-developed with Retrotainment Games and published by [[iam8bit]].}}
|Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
|-
| ''Digital Eclipse Arcade: Invasion of the Buffet Snatchers''
| Microsoft Windows
|-
| ''[[Atari 50|Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration]]''
| Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, [[Atari VCS (2021 console)|Atari VCS]]
|-
| ''Digital Eclipse Arcade: Jollyball''
| Microsoft Windows
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2023
| ''Digital Eclipse Arcade: Q.P.I.D''
| Microsoft Windows
|-
| ''[[The Making of Karateka]]''
| Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
|-
| ''[[Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord]]'' (remake)<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/15/23874537/wizardry-remaster-digital-eclipse-steam-gog | title = The original Wizardry has been remastered — and you can play it right now | first = Andrew | last = Webster | date = September 15, 2023 | accessdate = September 15, 2023 | work = [[The Verge]] }}</ref>
| Windows
|-
| 2024
| ''[[Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/digital-eclipses-next-interactive-documentary-is-llamasoft-the-jeff-minter-story/ | title=Digital Eclipse's next interactive documentary is Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story | date=December 6, 2023 }}</ref>
| Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
|}
|}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}


== References ==
== References ==
Line 206: Line 245:
== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.digitaleclipse.com/}}
* {{Official website|http://www.digitaleclipse.com/}}

{{Atari}}


[[Category:1992 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in California]]
[[Category:2015 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Atari]]
[[Category:Companies based in Emeryville, California]]
[[Category:Companies based in Emeryville, California]]
[[Category:Video game companies based in California]]
[[Category:Video game companies based in California]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1992]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1992]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1992]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:2015 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:American subsidiaries of foreign companies]]

Revision as of 11:40, 4 May 2024

Digital Eclipse Entertainment Partners Co.
FormerlyBackbone Emeryville (2003–2015)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded1992; 32 years ago (1992)
Founders
  • Andrew Ayre
  • Hans Kim
  • John Neil
  • Howard Fukuda
Headquarters
Emeryville, California
,
US
Key people
Parent
Websitedigitaleclipse.com

Digital Eclipse Entertainment Partners Co. is an American video game developer based in Emeryville, California. Founded by Andrew Ayre in 1992, the company found success developing commercial emulations of arcade games for Game Boy Color. In 2003, the company merged with ImaginEngine and created Backbone Entertainment. A group of Digital Eclipse employees split off from Backbone to form Other Ocean Interactive, which, in 2015, bought and revived the Digital Eclipse brand.

History

Digital Eclipse was founded in 1992 by Andrew Ayre, Hans Kim, John Neil, and Howard Fukuda.[1] The company's first offices were opened on a "nondescript, factory-filled" street in Emeryville, California, where Ayre (a native of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador) had moved following his graduation from Harvard University to live with his girlfriend.[2][3] Initially a technology startup company, Digital Eclipse soon found that their software would be useful in the video game industry, and turned to game development instead.[2] Using their technology, the company opted to produce commercial emulations of arcade games, such as Williams Electronics' Joust, Defender, and Robotron: 2084.[4] For these games, Digital Eclipse developed an interpreter that emulated the games' arcade machines' chipset, including the Motorola 6809 central processing unit.[5] This approach was meant to have the emulations act true to the original versions of these games, and not carry any imperfections direct ports could have introduced.[4] All three emulated games were released as part of The Digital Arcade series for Mac OS in 1995.[5]

Digital Eclipse found further success when the Game Boy Color was released; the new handheld console included a central processing unit based on the architecture of the Zilog Z80, the processor used in a number of older arcade machines.[4] While other developers were moving on to develop for the more powerful PlayStation home console, Digital Eclipse developed about 60 games for their niche market on the Game Boy Color.[4] These games included Klax, Spy Hunter, Moon Patrol, Paperboy, Joust, Defender, and 720°, as well as an original game, Tarzan, which Digital Eclipse produced for Activision.[6] Digital Eclipse also opened a second studio in Vancouver, Canada.[7] In February 2001, the company announced their move into the games market for "wireless Web" devices, hiring Scott Nisbet as director of wireless gaming, as well as Bruce Binder as Nisbet's consultant.[8]

In 2003, Digital Eclipse merged with ImaginEngine, creating Backbone Entertainment; while ImaginEngine remained an independent studio within that structure, Digital Eclipse's studios became Backbone Emeryville and Backbone Vancouver, respectively.[9][10] By this point, Digital Eclipse had produced 70 games on 11 different platforms.[3] In February 2006, Backbone opened another subsidiary studio, Backbone Charlottetown, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, under the lead of Ayre.[11] In May 2007, the new studio, including Ayre and several former Digital Eclipse employees, spun off from Backbone and became Other Ocean Interactive, aiming at showcasing Digital Eclipse's former traits in a smaller fashion.[4][12]

Backbone Vancouver was mostly dismantled in September 2008 and closed entirely in May 2009, while Backbone laid off the majority of its Emeryville-based staff in October 2012.[13][14][15] On June 8, 2015, after acquiring the Digital Eclipse name, Other Ocean's parent company, Other Ocean Group, announced that it had reformed Digital Eclipse as part of its Other Ocean Emeryville studio.[16] Co-founders include Ayre, Mike Mika—who had acted as technical director for the original Digital Eclipse—and former Gamasutra writer Frank Cifaldi.[6][16] The new Digital Eclipse laid its focus on video game preservation, and Cifaldi became the studio's "head of restoration", a title which Cifaldi noted was an industry first.[16] At the time, Cifaldi also stated that Digital Eclipse aimed at becoming the video game equivalent of The Criterion Collection.[17] Cifaldi would leave Digital Eclipse around 2020 to work on the Video Game History Foundation full time.[18]

Atari SA announced it would acquire Digital Eclipse in October 2023 for $4 million in cash and newly issued ordinary shares worth $2.5 million, alongside a possible earn-out of up to $13.5 million.[19] Atari closed the deal by November 6, 2023.[20]

Eclipse Engine

Part of Digital Eclipse's work include their own Eclipse Engine, a tool that allows them to decompile the code from older games into a machine-readable format that is then used by the Eclipse Engine to play them on modern systems. While it may take some extra work by the company to decompile the older game into the proper format one time, this approach allows them to rapidly port the Eclipse Engine version to any modern gaming system, including personal computers, consoles, and portable and mobile devices, with minimal effort. This engine has been used in Digital Eclipse's Mega Man Legacy Collection and The Disney Afternoon Collection.[21][22] The Eclipse Engine was primarily developed by Digital Eclipse's studio head, Mike Mika, and Other Ocean engineer Kevin Wilson, branched off from Other Ocean's Bakesale engine.[16]

Games developed

As Digital Eclipse (1992–2004)

Year Title Platform(s)
1994 Joust Mac OS
Robotron: 2084
Defender
1995 Activision's Commodore 64 15 Pack Microsoft Windows
1996 Williams Arcade Classics Dreamcast, Game.com, Microsoft Windows, MS-DOS, PlayStation, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Ms. Pac-Man Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1 PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
1997 Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Midway Collection 2 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
1998 NFL Blitz Game Boy Color
Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 2 PlayStation
Rampage World Tour Game Boy Color
1999 Knockout Kings
Disney's Tarzan
720°
Atari Arcade Hits: Volume 1 Microsoft Windows
Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 2
Arcade Classic No. 4: Defender / Joust Game Boy Color
Klax
Arcade Hits: Moon Patrol / Spy Hunter
Rampart
Rampage 2: Universal Tour
Arcade Party Pak PlayStation
Mortal Kombat 4 Game Boy Color
Marble Madness
Ghosts 'n Goblins
2000 Little Nicky
Alice in Wonderland
2001 Dragon's Lair
Batman: Chaos in Gotham
X-Men: Wolverine's Rage
Rayman Advance Game Boy Advance
Spyro: Season of Ice
2002 Spider-Man
Disney's Lilo & Stitch
Monster Force
Spyro 2: Season of Flame
Disney's Kim Possible: Revenge of Monkey Fist
Phantasy Star Collection
XXX
2003 Lizzie McGuire: On the Go!
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over
Spyro: Attack of the Rhynocs
Mucha Lucha! Mascaritas of the Lost Code
2004 Spider-Man 2
Grand Theft Auto Advance
Mortal Kombat Plug-and-play

As Backbone Entertainment (2004–2012)

Main article: Backbone Entertainment

As Digital Eclipse (2015–present)

Year Title Platform(s)
2015 Mega Man Legacy Collection Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Luna
2017 The Disney Afternoon Collection Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2018 Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
SNK 40th Anniversary Collection
2019 Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King
2020 Samurai Shodown NeoGeo Collection
2021 Blizzard Arcade Collection[a]
Space Jam: A New Legacy - The Game Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Disney Classic Games Collection Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2022 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Candy Creeps Microsoft Windows
Garbage Pail Kids: Mad Mike and the Quest for Stale Gum[b] Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Digital Eclipse Arcade: Invasion of the Buffet Snatchers Microsoft Windows
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Atari VCS
Digital Eclipse Arcade: Jollyball Microsoft Windows
2023 Digital Eclipse Arcade: Q.P.I.D Microsoft Windows
The Making of Karateka Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (remake)[23] Windows
2024 Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story[24] Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Notes

  1. ^ Co-developed with Blizzard Entertainment
  2. ^ Co-developed with Retrotainment Games and published by iam8bit.

References

  1. ^ Carroll, Martyn (September 1, 2022). "Studio Profile: Digital Eclipse". Retro Gamer. No. 237. Future Publishing. pp. 70–75.
  2. ^ a b McGillivray, Jim (2009). "From St. John's to California Gaming ... and back". The Andrean. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ a b Feldman, Curt (April 23, 2004). "Q&A: Death, Jr. developer Chris Charla". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 20, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e VB Staff (September 22, 2017). "Other Ocean: Building the past, the future, and the present". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Donaldson, J. Caleb (August 1, 1995). "They Do Make 'Em Like They Used To". Wired. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Schneider, Peer (July 16, 1999). "Lords of the Jungle". IGN. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  7. ^ Harris, Craig (May 28, 2002). "Spyro 2: Season of Flame". IGN. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  8. ^ Goodman, Peter S. (March 21, 2001). "Playing for Keeps". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  9. ^ Takahashi, Dean (October 12, 2012). "ImaginEngine game studio shuts down (exclusive)". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  10. ^ Adams, David (August 19, 2005). "Foundation 9 Goes Next-Gen". IGN. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  11. ^ Carless, Simon (February 6, 2006). "Foundation 9 To Open New Canadian Studio". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  12. ^ Boyer, Brandon (April 7, 2008). "Other Ocean: iPhone To Be 'Major Player' In Handheld Market". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  13. ^ Kyllo, Blaine (January 28, 2009). "Vancouver's video game family tree". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  14. ^ Lavender, Terry (November 18, 2009). "Is it Game Over for Vancouver's Video Game Industry? Not quite yet". Vancouver Observer. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  15. ^ Rose, Mike (October 9, 2012). "Layoffs at digital game studio Backbone Entertainment". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d Wawro, Alex (June 8, 2015). "Digital Eclipse is back with a new mission: preserve classic games". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  17. ^ Schilling, Chris (August 28, 2015). "How 'Mega Man Legacy Collection' Is Teaching the Video Games Industry to Respect Its Heritage". Waypoint. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  18. ^ Yarwood, Jack (March 5, 2024). ""A True Original" - Digital Eclipse on 'Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story'". Time Extension. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  19. ^ Batchelor, James (October 31, 2023). "Atari to acquire Digital Eclipse in $20m deal". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  20. ^ "Atari Closes the Acquisition of Digital Eclipse". GlobeNewswire (Press release). November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  21. ^ Orland, Kyle (August 27, 2015). "The new tech making game preservation more authentic and future-proof". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  22. ^ Watts, Steve (March 23, 2017). "Disney Afternoon Collection Producer Talks Challenges and Nostalgia". Shacknews. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  23. ^ Webster, Andrew (September 15, 2023). "The original Wizardry has been remastered — and you can play it right now". The Verge. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  24. ^ "Digital Eclipse's next interactive documentary is Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story". December 6, 2023.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Digital_Eclipse&oldid=1222179194"