V.R.T.O.

Malibu Interactive originally began as Acme Interactive, Inc., started by Cinemaware founder Bob Jacob [1] and incorporated on February 21, 1991. [2] In 1992, Acme Interactive merged with Malibu Graphics Publishing Group to form Malibu Comics Entertainment, Inc., of which Malibu Interactive was a division. [3]

A number of Acme/Malibu employees were recruited from Ocean Software and the Derby area (home of Core Design) in the UK. [4] [5] Some came to California; others worked in their UK offices. [6]

Former Malibu Interactive employees Joel Jewett, Mick West, and Chris Ward started Neversoft (Tony Hawk, Guitar Hero). [7] John Brandwood, Mike Lamb, and Jeff Godfrey started Left Field Productions. [8] Clockwork Tortoise was also started by a group from Malibu Interactive, and Paradox Development/Midway Studios - Los Angeles was established by former Malibu Comics CEO/CFO Christine Hsu. [9]

Malibu Comics Entertainment was acquired by Marvel Entertainment Group in 1994 [10], and Malibu Interactive was sold to Gametek [11] [12] [13], becoming its Padded Cell Studios division. It appears, though it has not been confirmed, the group was then acquired by Interplay, becoming V.R.T.O., Inc., incorporated on October 16, 1997. Michael Knauer was the president. [14]

Research Methods: Actual mentions, online resources, shared staff

As Acme Interactive or Malibu Interactive

Amiga

• ABC Wide World of Sports Boxing / TV Sports Boxing (US Publisher: Data East; EU Publisher: Mindscape)
• Bo Jackson Baseball / TV Sports: Baseball (US Publisher: Data East; EU Publisher: Mindscape)

DOS

• ABC Wide World of Sports Boxing / TV Sports Boxing (US Publisher: Data East; EU Publisher: Mindscape)
• Bo Jackson Baseball / TV Sports: Baseball (US Publisher: Data East; EU Publisher: Mindscape)

Game Gear

• David Robinson's Supreme Court (unreleased) (Sega)

Mega CD/Sega CD

• Batman Returns (US/EU Publisher: Sega)

Some Platform Game Design, Some Platform Game Graphics: Sega Interactive

• Cliffhanger (US Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)
• Joe Montana's NFL Football (US Publisher: Sega)

Mega Drive/Genesis

• Batman Returns (US/EU/AS/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Some Game Design, Some Graphics, Some Music, Some Sound Effects: Interactive Designs

• BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat (US Publisher: Extreme Entertainment Group)
• Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball (US Publisher: Mindscape)
• Cliffhanger (US/EU Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)

Some Music and Sound Effects?: Audiocyberworks

• David Robinson's Supreme Court / David Robinson Basketball (US/EU/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Evander Holyfield's "Real Deal" Boxing (US/CA/EU/AS/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Music: Nu Romantic Productions

• Ex-Mutants (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Greatest Heavyweights (US/EU/AS/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Voice Talent: DMP?

• NBA Action '94 (US Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Sound: DMP Entertainment

• Sports Illustrated Championship Football & Baseball (unreleased) [15]
• Sports Talk Wrestling (unreleased) (Sega?)

Presumed platform as it is not mentioned in this interview

• Tecmo Super Hockey (US Publisher: Tecmo)
• Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (US Publisher: THQ)

Super Famicom/Super NES

• Battle Cars (US Publisher: Namco)
• Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball (US Publisher: Mindscape)

Music/Sound Effects Code: Equilibrium

• Chavez (US Publisher: ASC)
• Cliffhanger (US/AU Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)
• Riddick Bowe Boxing (JP Publisher: Micronet; US Publisher: Extreme Entertainment Group)
• Sky Mission / Wings 2: Aces High / Blazing Skies (JP/US/EU/AU Publisher: Namco)

Sound and Music Driver: Realtime Associates

• Sports Illustrated Championship Football & Baseball / All-American Championship Football (US/UK Publisher: Malibu Games)

Music, Sound: Audio Cyber Factory

Malibu Interactive UK

Founded by Ian McGee [16], with offices in Derby and Warrington [17] (the latter of which was started because of musician Tim Follin [18])

Mega CD/Sega CD

• 3 Ninjas Kick Back (US Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)
• The Smurfs (EU Publisher: Infogrames)
• The Strangers (unreleased)
• Ultraverse Prime (US Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)

Mega Drive/Genesis

• 3 Ninjas Kick Back (US Publisher: Psygnosis)
• Firearm (unreleased)
• Time Trax (unreleased) (Black Pearl Software)

Super Famicom/Super NES

• 3 Ninjas Kick Back (US Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)
• Firearm (unreleased)
• Prime (unreleased) [19]
• Time Trax (US Publisher: Malibu Games; UK Publisher: THQ)

As Padded Cell Studios

PlayStation

• Jimmy Johnson's VR Football '98 (US/EU Publisher: VR Sports)

Saturn

• NFL '97 (US Publisher: Sega)

V.R.T.O.

PlayStation

• VR Football '99 / Warrick Dunn VR Football (unreleased) (VR Sports)

Windows

• VR Football '99 / Warrick Dunn VR Football (unreleased) (VR Sports) [20]