Rage Software

Origins

The company first made its start in early 1992 when members of the Ocean Software-affiliated Special FX Software broke up to become an independent game developer/publisher^[3] and later renamed it to Rage Software, with studios serving Liverpool and Newcastle.^[4][5]

The company begin work on a video game called Striker, which was a massive global hit that spawned a big franchise. Rage's first title Striker sold more than one million copies throughout its two-year life cycle and established Rage as a major creative force in the interactive entertainment industry. The company went through rapid expansion in the 1990s and partnered with multiple third party software publishers for distribution of its titles.^[6]

In 1994, Bristol Coin Equipment acquired both Rage Software and Software Creations, the transaction was closed a month later.^[7][8] In 1995, the company purchased Denton Designs, and absorbed its talent into Rage Software itself.^[9] In 1996, BCE took the Rage name^[10] and a year later sold Software Creations to Sweeplink Ltd.^[11]

Expand through publishing and acquisition

In 1997, the decision was made to publish its productions independently. Rage continued to form commercial partnerships with major publishing houses, including Microsoft, Intel, Dell, Compaq, Nintendo, Sony and Sega, and re-registered as a private company as Rage Software Limited in 1999.^[12] In October 1999, the company purchased Digital Image Design from Infogrames UK and renamed it Rage Warrington.^[13][14][15]

In January 2000, it invested in the newly established Internet Indirect Plc, a company supporting the development of technology and internet companies; through this move, Rage hoped to use the company's research in its titles.^[16] The company also acquired Bristol-based designer Wayward Design.^[12]

Nearly a month later, Rage acquired two newly established studios located in Scotland, appointing David Jones, a video game industry veteran and creator of the GTA series, as its manager. The company cited its desire to develop games using WAP technology and expand into the mobile market. It also acquired RGB Tree Limited, the studio responsible for the PlayStation port of GTA2, and acquired a 20% stake in the newly established Denki Limited, based in Dundee . As part of this agreement, Rage gained the rights to produce and publish three Game Boy titles.^[17] The company later launched Wild Wild Racing in 2000.^[18]

Rage announced the launch of an online division, Rage On-Line, which would provide a platform for players to download new content for their games; and would allow them to purchase new titles through an online store.^[19] This acquisitions and expansion cemented Rage as the fourth largest European video game publisher, behind Infogrames, Eidos Interactive and Titus Software at that time in revenue.^[12]

In 1999, the company signed a partnership with Interplay to distribute its titles in North America.^[20] In 2000, the company signed an expanded distribution and publishing deal with Interplay Entertainment, where Interplay handled North American rights to titles that was published by Rage Software.^[21]

In February 2001, it signed an agreement with Nokia to produce games for the Finnish manufacturer's phones,^[22] while in March a 4-year agreement was concluded with Manchester United to use David Beckham's name for marketing purposes (he was to help promote the returning Striker series); and in April, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer granted a license to produce titles based on the Rocky film series.^[23]

In June 2001, the studio secured a £20 million loan after discovering it had only £500,000 left in its account. A portion of the £15 million loan was to be transferred to the company on the condition that, after the loan was repaid, GEM Global Yield Fund would receive 76% of the studio's shares. Studio CEO Paul Finnegan stated that the studio plans for the next two years to allocate "no more than half of this amount" to promoting Rage titles, acquiring further licenses, and pursuing a full commitment to a self-publishing strategy. At that time, the company employed 260 people in 4 studios: Newcastle, Bristol, Warrington, Birmingham.^[24][25]

In October, Rage announced that it would be developing games for Nintendo's GameCube console, and in December, it partnered with former SAS member and Gulf War I participant Andy McNab. He would serve as creative and technical director for military games based on his work. The writer admitted that he was positively surprised by the quality of the studio's titles; this collaboration was intended to ensure authenticity and detail in the titles being developed.^[26] Meanwhile, a title featuring David Beckham failed to hit the shelves.^[27]

In December 2001, the company entered into a publishing agreement with Majesco Entertainment where Majesco would have published Rage's titles in the North American market.^[28]

Trouble and bankruptcy

In March 2002, it was revealed that the company had suffered further financial losses resulting from the difficulties of the publishing division in establishing itself on the market and the high costs of running it; a month later, the situation worsened due to the falling share price on the stock exchange and unsatisfactory sales of the game with David Beckham in the title.^[29][30]

At E3 2002, Rage announced a three-year agreement with Lamborghini, which would see the company develop a series of games featuring Lamborghini cars. The first title in the series was scheduled for release in spring 2003.^[31]

David Jones bought the studio in Dundee and soon after opened Realtime Worlds; Phil Wright did the same with the studio in Sheffield, creating Yeti Studios (responsible for the PC version of Gun Metal).^[32]

In the summer, the company earned GBP 4.5 million, which it invested in the development of titles in production, but (according to Hunter Kelly) delays in delivering them to the market meant that the company, with insufficient revenue, was unable to cover the company's operating costs on time, and immediately dismissed 74 employees.^[33]

In October, Trevor Williams left his position as chairman of Rage Birmingham to set up Swordfish Studios with Joan Finnegan (Paul Finnegan's wife), and then bought the division he had previously managed from Rage.^[34]

Despite strong sales of the David Beckham game during the 2002 holiday season, Rage shares fell by 67% on January 13, 2003. The company suspended share sales the next day^[35][36][37] and officially declared bankruptcy on January 16. The company's assets were auctioned off, and the remaining 82 employees left, finding employment in other development studios, including those established on the former Rage property.^[38]

The other executives of Rage went on to form new companies, like Juice Games in Warrington,^[39] and Venom Games in Newcastle.^[40]