V.R.T.O.

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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. [3], of which Malibu Interactive was a division.

A number of employees were recruited from Ocean Software and the Derby area (home of Core Design) in the UK. [4] Malibu Interactive also had operations there. [5]

Former Malibu Interactive employees Joel Jewett, Mick West, and Chris Ward started Neversoft (Tony Hawk, Guitar Hero). [6] John Brandwood, Mike Lamb, and Jeff Godfrey started Left Field Productions. [7] Clockwork Tortoise was also started by a group from Malibu Interactive, while Paradox Development/Midway Studios - Los Angeles was established by former Malibu Comics CEO/CFO Christine Hsu. [8]

Malibu Comics Entertainment was acquired by Marvel Entertainment Group in 1994 [9], and Malibu Interactive was acquired by Gametek [10] [11] [12], becoming its Padded Cell Studios division. It appears (though it has not been confirmed) the group was acquired yet again by Interplay, becoming V.R.T.O., Inc., incorporated on October 16, 1997. Michael Knauer was the president. [13]

Research Methods: Actual mentions, online resources, shared staff

As Acme Interactive/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)

Mega CD/Sega CD

  • 3 Ninjas Kick Back (US Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)
  • Batman Returns (US/EU Publisher: Sega)
  • Cliffhanger (US Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)
  • Joe Montana's NFL Football (US Publisher: Sega)
  • The Strangers (unreleased)
  • Ultraverse Prime (US Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)

Mega Drive/Genesis

  • 3 Ninjas Kick Back (US Publisher: Psygnosis)
  • Batman Returns (US/CA/UK/EU/AS/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
  • BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat (US Publisher: Extreme Entertainment Group)
  • 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)
  • Firearm (unreleased)
  • Greatest Heavyweights (US/EU/AS/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
Voice Talent: DMP?
  • Sports Illustrated Championship Football & Baseball (unreleased) [14]
  • Tecmo Super Hockey (US Publisher: Tecmo)
  • Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (US Publisher: THQ)
  • Time Trax (unreleased)

Super Famicom/Super NES

  • 3 Ninjas Kick Back (US Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)
  • Battle Cars (US Publisher: Namco)
  • Chavez (US Publisher: ASC)
  • Cliffhanger (US/AU Publisher: Sony Imagesoft)
  • Firearm (unreleased)
  • Prime (unreleased) [15]
  • 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
  • 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) [16]

Windows

  • VR Football '99 / Warrick Dunn VR Football (unreleased) (VR Sports) [17]