Human Head Studios: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
 
(49 intermediate revisions by 33 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American video game developer}}
⚫
{{Refimprove|date=April 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
⚫
{{More citations needed|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Human Head Studios, Inc.
| name = Human Head Studios, Inc.
Line 8: Line 10:
| successor = Roundhouse Studios
| successor = Roundhouse Studios
| location_city = [[Madison, Wisconsin]]
| location_city = [[Madison, Wisconsin]]
| location_country = [[United States|U.S.]]
| location_country = US
| key_people = [[Chris Rhinehart]]<br>Paul MacArthur<br>Ben Gokey<br>Ted Halsted<br>Jim Sumwalt<br>Shane Gurno
| key_people = [[Chris Rhinehart]]<br />Paul MacArthur<br />Ben Gokey<br />Ted Halsted<br />Jim Sumwalt<br />Shane Gurno
| industry = [[Video game industry]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| products = ''[[Rune (video game)|Rune]]''<br>''[[Prey (2006 video game)|Prey]]''
| products = ''[[Rune (video game)|Rune]]''<br />''[[Prey (2006 video game)|Prey]]''
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
| homepage = {{URL|humanhead.com}}
| homepage =
}}
}}


'''Human Head Studios, Inc.''' was an American [[video game developer]] located in [[Madison, Wisconsin]].
'''Human Head Studios, Inc.''' was an American [[video game developer]] located in [[Madison, Wisconsin]].


==History==
== History ==
Human Head Studios was founded in October 1997 by a group of six developers formerly from [[Raven Software]]: Ben Gokey, Chris Rhinehart, Paul MacArthur, Ted Halsted, James Sumwalt, and Shane Gurno—later joined by game producer [[Tim Gerritsen]] as co-owner in June 1998. Regarding the origin of the studio's name, Gerritsen explained: "When the guys were thinking of leaving Raven Software, someone posted a message via e-mail that they had lost some money. This started people saying they had lost all sorts of things. One person posted that they had misplaced a bag of human heads and this gave the inspiration for the name."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p7.html |title=GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins, Page 7 of 19 |first=John |last=Keefer |date=March 31, 2006 |website=[[GameSpy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609133133/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p7.html |archive-date=June 9, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Their first game was ''[[Rune (video game)|Rune]]'', a [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]] Viking [[action game]]. The company also worked on the long-anticipated [[first-person shooter]] ''[[Prey (2006 video game)|Prey]]'', a game that was executive produced by [[3D Realms]].
Human Head Studios was founded in October 1997 by a group of six developers formerly from [[Raven Software]]: Ben Gokey, [[Chris Rhinehart]], Paul MacArthur, Ted Halsted, James Sumwalt, and Shane Gurno—later joined by game producer [[Tim Gerritsen]] as co-owner in June 1998. Regarding the origin of the studio's name, Gerritsen explained: "When the guys were thinking of leaving Raven Software, someone posted a message via e-mail that they had lost some money. This started people saying they had lost all sorts of things. One person posted that they had misplaced a bag of human heads and this gave the inspiration for the name."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p7.html |title=GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins, Page 7 of 19 |first=John |last=Keefer |date=March 31, 2006 |website=[[GameSpy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609133133/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p7.html |archive-date=June 9, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Their first game was ''[[Rune (video game)|Rune]]'', a [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]] Viking [[action game]]. The company also worked on the long-anticipated [[first-person shooter]] ''[[Prey (2006 video game)|Prey]]'', a game that was executive produced by [[3D Realms]].


On April 20, 2007, a news report indicated that the company's headquarters were partially destroyed in a fire.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2007 |url=http://www.channel3000.com/news/12618256/detail.html |title=Massive Fire Destroys East Side Building |work=Channel3000 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205101608/http://www.channel3000.com/news/12618256/detail.html |accessdate=April 7, 2015 |url-status=dead |archivedate=February 5, 2012 }}</ref> No injuries were reported. On October 1, 2007, the company moved back into their newly renovated offices. In 2014, Human Head announced that they have revived a [[multiplayer]] video game called ''Minimum'' from [[TimeGate Studios]], which filed for bankruptcy in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/133848-Ex-Prey-2-Studio-Takes-Over-TimeGates-Minimum|title=Ex-Prey 2 Studio Takes Over TimeGate's Minimum|first=Andy|last=Chalk|work=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|date=April 10, 2014|accessdate=April 7, 2015}}</ref> Their most recent major release is [[The Quiet Man (video game)|The Quiet Man]], an action-adventure beat-em-up published by [[Square Enix]] which features full-motion video cutscenes.
On April 20, 2007, a news report indicated that the company's headquarters were partially destroyed in a fire.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2007 |url=http://www.channel3000.com/news/12618256/detail.html |title=Massive Fire Destroys East Side Building |work=Channel3000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205101608/http://www.channel3000.com/news/12618256/detail.html |access-date=April 7, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2012 }}</ref> No injuries were reported. On October 1, 2007, the company moved back into their newly renovated offices. In 2014, Human Head announced that they have revived a [[multiplayer]] video game called ''Minimum'' from [[TimeGate Studios]], which filed for bankruptcy in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/133848-Ex-Prey-2-Studio-Takes-Over-TimeGates-Minimum|title=Ex-Prey 2 Studio Takes Over TimeGate's Minimum|first=Andy|last=Chalk|work=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|date=April 10, 2014|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref> Their final major release was the [[List of video games notable for negative reception|infamous]] [[The Quiet Man (video game)|''The Quiet Man'']], an action-adventure beat-em-up published by [[Square Enix]] which features full-motion video cutscenes.


On November 13, 2019, the studio announced its closure, immediately after the release of ''[[Rune 2]]''. The whole team subsequently formed a new studio, Roundhouse Studios, under [[Bethesda Softworks]]. Chris Rhinehart of Human Head/Roundhouse stated that "Sadly, we had to wind down the business of Human Head Studios and close its doors", but had been able to reach out to Bethesda to establish this new studio.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/new-bethesda-studio-formed-as-human-head-studios-closes/ | title = New Bethesda studio formed as Human Head Studios closes | first = Tom | last = Ivan | date = November 13, 2019 | accessdate = November 13, 2019 | work = [[Video Games Chronicle]] }}</ref>
On November 13, 2019, the studio announced its closure, immediately after the release of ''[[Rune II]]''. The whole team subsequently formed a new studio, '''Roundhouse Studios''', under [[ZeniMax Media]]. Chris Rhinehart of Human Head/Roundhouse stated that "Sadly, we had to wind down the business of Human Head Studios and close its doors", but had been able to reach out to ZeniMax to establish this new studio.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/new-bethesda-studio-formed-as-human-head-studios-closes/ | title = New Bethesda studio formed as Human Head Studios closes | first = Tom | last = Ivan | date = November 13, 2019 | access-date = November 13, 2019 | work = [[Video Games Chronicle]] }}</ref> Roundhouse Studios was closed in May 2024 and its team was moved to [[ZeniMax Online Studios]].


==Games developed==
== Games developed ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year !! Title !! Publisher(s) !! Platform(s)
! Year !! Title !! Publisher(s) !! Platform(s)
|-
|-
| {{dts|2000|10|25|format=y}} || ''[[Blair Witch Volume II: The Legend of Coffin Rock]]'' || rowspan="3"| [[Gathering of Developers]] || [[Microsoft Windows]]
| {{dts|2000|10|27|format=y}} || ''[[Rune (video game)|Rune]]'' || rowspan="3"| [[Gathering of Developers]] || Microsoft Windows, [[macOS]], [[Linux]]
|-
|-
| {{dts|2000|11|07|format=y}} || ''[[Rune (video game)|Rune]]'' || Microsoft Windows, [[macOS]], [[Linux]]
| {{dts|2000|10|30|format=y}} || ''[[Blair Witch Volume II: The Legend of Coffin Rock]]''|| [[Microsoft Windows]]
|-
|-
| {{dts|2001|04|26|format=y}} || ''[[Rune: Halls of Valhalla]]'' || Microsoft Windows
| {{dts|2001|04|26|format=y}} || ''[[Rune: Halls of Valhalla]]'' || Microsoft Windows
Line 38: Line 40:
| {{dts|2001|07|30|format=y}} || ''[[Rune: Viking Warlord]]'' || [[Take-Two Interactive]] || [[PlayStation 2]]
| {{dts|2001|07|30|format=y}} || ''[[Rune: Viking Warlord]]'' || [[Take-Two Interactive]] || [[PlayStation 2]]
|-
|-
| {{dts|2004|03|02|format=y}} || ''Dead Man's Hand'' || [[Atari, SA]] || [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], Microsoft Windows
| {{dts|2004|03|02|format=y}} || ''[[Dead Man's Hand (video game)|Dead Man's Hand]]'' || [[Atari, SA]] || [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], Microsoft Windows
|-
|-
| {{dts|2006|07|11|format=y}} || ''[[Prey (2006 video game)|Prey]]'' || [[2K Games]] || Microsoft Windows, [[Xbox 360]], macOS, Linux
| {{dts|2006|07|11|format=y}} || ''[[Prey (2006 video game)|Prey]]'' || [[2K Games]] || Microsoft Windows, [[Xbox 360]], macOS, Linux
|-
|-
| {{dts|2011|05|10|format=y}} || ''[[Brink (video game)|Brink]]''<ref name="Isthmus">{{cite web |last=R. Conklin |first=Aaron |date=July 24, 2014 |url=https://isthmus.com/screens/games/inside-the-minds-of-human-head-studios/ |title=Inside the minds of Human Head Studios |publisher=[[Isthmus (newspaper)|Isthmus]] |accessdate=July 24, 2014}}</ref> || [[Bethesda Softworks]] || Microsoft Windows, [[PlayStation 3]], Xbox 360
| {{dts|2011|05|10|format=y}} || ''[[Brink (video game)|Brink]]''<ref name="Isthmus">{{cite web |last=R. Conklin |first=Aaron |date=July 24, 2014 |url=https://isthmus.com/screens/games/inside-the-minds-of-human-head-studios/ |title=Inside the minds of Human Head Studios |publisher=[[Isthmus (newspaper)|Isthmus]] |access-date=July 24, 2014}}</ref> || [[Bethesda Softworks]] || Microsoft Windows, [[PlayStation 3]], Xbox 360
|-
|-
| {{dts|2012|12|12|format=y}} || ''Fort Courage'' || Human Head Studios || [[iOS]]
| {{dts|2012|12|12|format=y}} || ''Fort Courage'' || Human Head Studios || [[iOS]]
|-
|-
| {{dts|2013|03|26|format=y}} || ''[[BioShock Infinite]]''<ref name="Isthmus"/> || 2K Games || rowspan="2"| Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
| {{dts|2013|04|02|format=y}} || ''[[Defiance (video game)|Defiance]]''<ref name="Isthmus" /> || [[Trion Worlds]] || Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
|-
| {{dts|2013|04|02|format=y}} || ''[[Defiance (video game)|Defiance]]''<ref name="Isthmus"/> || [[Trion Worlds]]
|-
| {{dts|2013|10|25|format=y}} || ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]'' || [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] || [[Wii U]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nintendoeverything.com/human-head-studios-worked-on-batman-arkham-origins-for-wii-u|title=Human Head Studios worked on Batman: Arkham Origins for Wii U|work=Nintendo Everything|date=October 25, 2013|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref>
|-
|-
| {{dts|2014|09|10|format=y}} || ''Minimum'' || Atari, SA || Microsoft Windows
| {{dts|2014|09|10|format=y}} || ''Minimum'' || Atari, SA || Microsoft Windows
|-
|-
| {{dts|2015|04|15|format=y}} || ''Lost Within''<ref>{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=March 3, 2015 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-09-prey-developer-human-head-announces-survival-horror-lost-within |title=Prey developer Human Head announces survival horror Lost Within |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |accessdate=April 7, 2015}}</ref> || [[Amazon Game Studios]] || iOS, [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| {{dts|2015|04|15|format=y}} || ''Lost Within''<ref>{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=March 3, 2015 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-09-prey-developer-human-head-announces-survival-horror-lost-within |title=Prey developer Human Head announces survival horror Lost Within |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref> || [[Amazon Game Studios]] || iOS, [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
|-
|-
| {{dts|2015|09|29|format=y}} || ''[[Dungeon Defenders II]]'' || [[Trendy Entertainment]] || [[PlayStation 4]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/11/8766547/dungeon-defenders-2-coming-to-ps4-this-year-with-help-from-prey|title=Dungeon Defenders 2 coming to PS4 this year with help from Prey developer|first=Brian|last=Crecente|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=June 11, 2015|access-date=June 11, 2015}}</ref>
| {{dts|2015|09|29|format=y}} || ''[[Dungeon Defenders II]]'' || [[Trendy Entertainment]] || Xbox One, [[PlayStation 4]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/11/8766547/dungeon-defenders-2-coming-to-ps4-this-year-with-help-from-prey|title=Dungeon Defenders 2 coming to PS4 this year with help from Prey developer|first=Brian|last=Crecente|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=June 11, 2015|access-date=June 11, 2015}}</ref>
|-
|-
| {{dts|2018|11|01|format=y}} || ''[[The Quiet Man (video game)|The Quiet Man]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/06/11/the-quiet-man-may-be-square-enixs-first-deaf-hero|title=The Quiet Man may be Square Enix's first deaf hero|first=Mike|last=Minotti |work=[[VentureBeat (website)|VentureBeat]]|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=June 11, 2018}}</ref> || [[Square Enix]] || Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
| {{dts|2018|11|01|format=y}} || ''[[The Quiet Man (video game)|The Quiet Man]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/06/11/the-quiet-man-may-be-square-enixs-first-deaf-hero|title=The Quiet Man may be Square Enix's first deaf hero|first=Mike|last=Minotti |work=VentureBeat|date=June 11, 2018|access-date=June 11, 2018}}</ref> || [[Square Enix]] || Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
|-
|-
| {{dts|2018|12|05|format=y}} || ''Survived By'' || [[Digital Extremes]] || Microsoft Windows
| {{dts|2018|12|05|format=y}} || ''Survived By'' || [[Digital Extremes]] || Microsoft Windows
|-
|-
| {{dts|2019|format=y}} || ''Rune 2'' || Human Head Studios || Microsoft Windows
| {{dts|2019|format=y}} || ''[[Rune II]]'' || Ragnarok Game, LLC || Microsoft Windows
|}
|}


===Cancelled===
=== Cancelled ===
* ''[[Prey 2]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/31/prey-2-is-officially-cancelled|title=Bethesda officially confirms Prey 2 cancellation|work=[[IGN]]|first=Jenna|last=Pitcher|date=October 30, 2014|accessdate=April 7, 2015}}</ref>
* ''[[Prey 2]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/31/prey-2-is-officially-cancelled|title=Bethesda officially confirms Prey 2 cancellation|work=[[IGN]]|first=Jenna|last=Pitcher|date=October 30, 2014|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
*{{Official website|http://www.humanhead.com}}
*[http://www.mobygames.com/company/human-head-studios-inc Human Head Studios] at [[MobyGames]]
*[http://www.mobygames.com/company/human-head-studios-inc Human Head Studios] at [[MobyGames]]


{{Authority control}}
{{US-videogame-company-stub}}


[[Category:American companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 2019]]
[[Category:Companies based in Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Companies based in Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:International Game Developers Association members]]
[[Category:Privately held companies based in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Privately held companies based in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2019]]
[[Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2019]]
[[Category:Video game companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct video game companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:2019 disestablishments in Wisconsin]]

Latest revision as of 19:24, 27 May 2024

Human Head Studios, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryVideo games
FoundedOctober 1997; 26 years ago (1997-10)
DefunctNovember 13, 2019; 4 years ago (2019-11-13)
SuccessorRoundhouse Studios
Headquarters
Madison, Wisconsin
,
US
Key people
Chris Rhinehart
Paul MacArthur
Ben Gokey
Ted Halsted
Jim Sumwalt
Shane Gurno
ProductsRune
Prey

Human Head Studios, Inc. was an American video game developer located in Madison, Wisconsin.

History[edit]

Human Head Studios was founded in October 1997 by a group of six developers formerly from Raven Software: Ben Gokey, Chris Rhinehart, Paul MacArthur, Ted Halsted, James Sumwalt, and Shane Gurno—later joined by game producer Tim Gerritsen as co-owner in June 1998. Regarding the origin of the studio's name, Gerritsen explained: "When the guys were thinking of leaving Raven Software, someone posted a message via e-mail that they had lost some money. This started people saying they had lost all sorts of things. One person posted that they had misplaced a bag of human heads and this gave the inspiration for the name."[1] Their first game was Rune, a third-person Viking action game. The company also worked on the long-anticipated first-person shooter Prey, a game that was executive produced by 3D Realms.

On April 20, 2007, a news report indicated that the company's headquarters were partially destroyed in a fire.[2] No injuries were reported. On October 1, 2007, the company moved back into their newly renovated offices. In 2014, Human Head announced that they have revived a multiplayer video game called Minimum from TimeGate Studios, which filed for bankruptcy in 2013.[3] Their final major release was the infamous The Quiet Man, an action-adventure beat-em-up published by Square Enix which features full-motion video cutscenes.

On November 13, 2019, the studio announced its closure, immediately after the release of Rune II. The whole team subsequently formed a new studio, Roundhouse Studios, under ZeniMax Media. Chris Rhinehart of Human Head/Roundhouse stated that "Sadly, we had to wind down the business of Human Head Studios and close its doors", but had been able to reach out to ZeniMax to establish this new studio.[4] Roundhouse Studios was closed in May 2024 and its team was moved to ZeniMax Online Studios.

Games developed[edit]

Year Title Publisher(s) Platform(s)
2000 Rune Gathering of Developers Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
2000 Blair Witch Volume II: The Legend of Coffin Rock Microsoft Windows
2001 Rune: Halls of Valhalla Microsoft Windows
2001 Rune: Viking Warlord Take-Two Interactive PlayStation 2
2004 Dead Man's Hand Atari, SA Xbox, Microsoft Windows
2006 Prey 2K Games Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, macOS, Linux
2011 Brink[5] Bethesda Softworks Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2012 Fort Courage Human Head Studios iOS
2013 Defiance[5] Trion Worlds Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2014 Minimum Atari, SA Microsoft Windows
2015 Lost Within[6] Amazon Game Studios iOS, Android
2015 Dungeon Defenders II Trendy Entertainment Xbox One, PlayStation 4[7]
2018 The Quiet Man[8] Square Enix Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
2018 Survived By Digital Extremes Microsoft Windows
2019 Rune II Ragnarok Game, LLC Microsoft Windows

Cancelled[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Keefer, John (March 31, 2006). "GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins, Page 7 of 19". GameSpy. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007.
  2. ^ "Massive Fire Destroys East Side Building". Channel3000. April 20, 2007. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  3. ^ Chalk, Andy (April 10, 2014). "Ex-Prey 2 Studio Takes Over TimeGate's Minimum". The Escapist. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  4. ^ Ivan, Tom (November 13, 2019). "New Bethesda studio formed as Human Head Studios closes". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  5. ^ a b R. Conklin, Aaron (July 24, 2014). "Inside the minds of Human Head Studios". Isthmus. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  6. ^ Phillips, Tom (March 3, 2015). "Prey developer Human Head announces survival horror Lost Within". Eurogamer. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  7. ^ Crecente, Brian (June 11, 2015). "Dungeon Defenders 2 coming to PS4 this year with help from Prey developer". Polygon. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  8. ^ Minotti, Mike (June 11, 2018). "The Quiet Man may be Square Enix's first deaf hero". VentureBeat. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  9. ^ Pitcher, Jenna (October 30, 2014). "Bethesda officially confirms Prey 2 cancellation". IGN. Retrieved April 7, 2015.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Human_Head_Studios&oldid=1225961552"