This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(May 2015) |
JumpStart Games, Inc.,formerlyKnowledge Adventure, Inc.,was an Americanedutainmentvideo game company based inTorrance, California.Founded in 1991, it was acquired by Chinese holding companyNetDragon Websoftin 2017.
 | |
| Formerly | Knowledge Adventure, Inc. (1991–2012) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Video games Education |
| Predecessor | Davidson & Associates CUC Software Cendant Software Havas |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Defunct | July 1, 2023 |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
| Products |
|
Number of employees | 201–500 |
| Parent | Vivendi Universal Games(1997–2004) NetDragon Websoft(2017–2023) |
| Website | www |
History
edit
From 1991 to 1994, Knowledge Adventure createdDOSgames.[1]
Purchase by CUC International
editOn November 5, 1996,CUC Internationalannounced that it would acquire Knowledge Adventure;[2]the acquisition was completed on February 3, 1997.[3]In February 1996, CUC had acquiredDavidson & Associates;[4]this subsidiary was later merged with Knowledge Adventure in October 1998.[5]
On May 28, 1997, CUC International announced plans to merge withHospitality Franchise Systemsto create a single, "one-stop" entity.[6][7]The merger was finalized in December that year and createdCendant.[8]As a result of the merger, CUC Software was renamed Cendant Software.[9]On November 20, 1998, French media companyHavas(later acquired by water utilityVivendi) announced that it would acquire Cendant Software for$800 millionin cash and up to$200 millioncontingent on the performance of Cendant Software.[10][11]Subsequently, the division was renamed Havas Interactive.[12]
During that time, Knowledge Adventure released many branded games such asJumpStart,Dr. Brain,Fisher-Price,Barbie,Bear in the Big Blue House,Blaster,Teletubbies,Noddy,Jurassic Park III,Captain Kangaroo,Curious GeorgeandAmerican Idol.[citation needed]
Knowledge Adventure releasedJumpStart Babyin 2000.[13]
Separation from Vivendi
editIn October 2004, Vivendi sold Knowledge Adventure to a group of investors interested in taking a more active management strategy, and in developing new educational software. The company released new products under both the JumpStart and Math Blaster brands.[14]
In October 2012, Knowledge Adventure changed its name to JumpStart Games.[15]
On March 17, 2014, JumpStart Games purchasedNeopetsfromViacom.[16]
On July 7, 2017, JumpStart Games was acquired by Chinese online game publisherNetDragon Websoft.[17]
Back-catalog digital re-releases
editOn November 25, 2014, five Knowledge Adventure titles were re-released digitally as DRM-Free exclusives on ZOOM-Platform through a partnership between JumpStart Games and the Jordan Freeman Group. The five titles included3D Body Adventure,3D Dinosaur Adventure,Dinosaur Adventure(Original),Space Adventure,andUndersea Adventure.[18]
On March 6, 2015, another Knowledge Adventure title,Bug Adventure,was re-released digitally as a DRM-Free exclusive on ZOOM-Platform. This title was also released through the partnership between JumpStart and the Jordan Freeman Group. ZOOM-Platform indicated the game was released due to the "incredible reaction" they got to the first batch of Knowledge Adventure titles.[19]
Closure and transfer ofNeopets
editOn June 13, 2023, Jumpstart Games announced it was ceasing all of its operations and ending support of all games, excludingNeopets,[20]on June 30, 2023. The company officially closed July 1, 2023 at 3am EST with servers and their website also shutting down. No reason upon the closure was given.
Neopets was briefly transferred over to Fluffy Dog Studios, which was formerly JumpStart Vancouver,[20]before being spun off as World of Neopia, Inc. in a management buyout deal.
References
edit- ^"Game Browser » Jumpstart Games, Inc".mobygames.MobyGames.Retrieved2021-04-15.
- ^Kaplan, Karen (November 6, 1996)."CUC Will Buy Knowledge Adventure".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^"CUC International Completes Acquisition of Knowledge Adventure"(Press release). CUC International. February 3, 1997. Archived fromthe originalon 1997-07-14.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^Kaplan, Karen (February 10, 1997)."Davidson Founders Make Quiet Exit".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^"Knowledge Adventure® Introduces ClassWorks™ Gold, A Revolutionary Classroom Alternative to Integrated Learning Systems and Stand-Alone Software"(Press release). Archived fromthe originalon 2002-03-20.Retrieved2002-03-20.
- ^Bagli, Charles V. (May 28, 1997)."$11 Billion Merger Plan Would Join HFS and CUC".The New York Times.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^"CUC-HFS Merger Deal to Create Strong One-Stop-Shopping Entity".Los Angeles Times.Associated Press.May 28, 1997.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^Jebens, Harley (April 28, 2000)."CUC Gets Renamed".GameSpot.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^"CUC Now Cendant".Game Developer.UBM TechWeb.March 1998. p. 13.
- ^Hansell, Saul (November 20, 1998)."Cendant Said to Near Sale of Software Division".The New York Times.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^"Cendant Sells Software Unit".Wired.November 20, 1998.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^"Vivendi's High Wireless Act".Wired.December 1, 2000.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^Galley, Michelle (May 10, 2000). "Computer Companies Give Birth to 'Lapware' for Babies".Education Week.19(35): Section: ACROSS THE NATION.ISSN0277-4232.
- ^Ron Fahey (October 6, 2004)."Vivendi Universal sells educational games division".Gamesindustry.biz.RetrievedSeptember 3,2020.
- ^"Company Overview of JumpStart Games, Inc".Bloomberg News.RetrievedJune 26,2019.
- ^"New Features - 18th March - Illusen Day".Neopets.Neopets, Inc. 2014-03-18.Retrieved2021-04-15.
- ^Whyte, Alexandra (July 7, 2017)."Neopets owner acquired by China's NetDragon".kidscreen.RetrievedJune 26,2019.
- ^"Edenwaith: Blog".edenwaith.Retrieved2022-10-20.
- ^"ZOOM Announces Exclusive Release of Knowledge Adventure Back-Catalog".November 25, 2014.RetrievedJune 26,2019.
- ^ab"Jellyneo.net | Neopets Help, Neopets Guides, and Neopets News!".jellyneo.net.Retrieved2023-06-15.