Amazon Games Explained

Former Name:Amazon Game Studios (2012–2020)
Type:Division
Amazon Games
Founded:[1]
Parent:Amazon
Location City:Seattle, Washington
Location Country:U.S.
Divisions:Amazon Games Bucharest
Amazon Games Orange County[2] [3]
Amazon Games Montreal[4]
Amazon Games San Diego
Relentless Studios

Amazon Games (formerly Amazon Game Studios) is an American video game company and division of the online retailing company Amazon that primarily focuses on publishing video games developed within the company's development divisions.

History

In 2011, Amazon opened the Amazon Appstore[5] and started to hire developers for social mobile games.[6] In 2012, Amazon Game Studios released Living Classics, a social game for Facebook. It published third-party games for the Fire Phone, like Lost Within and Til Morning's Light and To-Fu Fury.[7]

Amazon first announced that it would create computer games in 2014. Amazon recruited Kim Swift (Portal, who has since left for Microsoft Games Studios), Clint Hocking (Far Cry 2), and developers who previously worked on System Shock 2. Amazon sought to make games in-between the industry standards of small and large teams making casual and AAA games, respectively. Amazon Game Studios wanted to make teams of five to thirty people who would work on games for between a year and 18 months with a focus on "creativity" and "craftsmanship", whether the genre is for kids or hardcore gamers. Studio vice-president Mike Frazzini wanted to make projects like Minecraft, The Walking Dead, and The Room. The studio also wanted developers to impact the direction of their hardware, between its cloud services and Amazon-brand devices. For example, developers can offload processing to Amazon's cloud services and the Amazon Fire TV has expanded memory as a result of developer feedback. A lot of the company's developers left within a year of the company's founding. Amazon Game Studios went on to publish a number of mobile titles, including the horror game Lost Within.

Two years after the studio's initial announcement, at the September 2016 TwitchCon, the studio revealed its first three PC games: Breakaway, Crucible, and New World. Breakaway was a team-based brawler in which two teams of four fight to deliver a ball to their opponents' goal. It was designed for tight integration into Twitch, the streaming service Amazon acquired in 2014. Amazon Game Studios announced the cancellation of Breakaway in March 2018.[8] Crucible was a 12-player, class-based game in which players competed to become the last man standing. Crucible was launched in May 2020, but also cancelled later that year, with Relentless Studios citing "inability to see a sustained future" as the cause. New World is a massively multiplayer sandbox game with a supernatural colonial America theme. Players can form settlements, fight each other, or fight monsters out in the world. Crucible launched on May 20, 2020, while New World was released on September 28, 2021, after a 2nd pushback date was announced on July 10, 2020, and a 3rd on August 31, 2021. In August 2018, Christoph Hartmann, co-founder of video game publisher 2K Games – a wholly owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive – became the new Vice President of Amazon Game Studios working under Mike Frazzini.

In June 2019, during E3 week it was announced that layoffs hit the company. At this time it was unknown how many people were impacted. However, "multiple" unannounced projects had been cancelled.[9] The company had been involved with a The Lord of the Rings MMO with Leyou since the middle of 2019.[10] However, in April 2021, following Tencent's purchase of Leyou in December 2020, contractual disputes between Amazon and Tencent led Amazon to cancel further development of the game.[11]

The company has three game development studios in San Diego,[12] Seattle,[13] and Orange County.[14] [15] [16] In March 2021, Amazon opened a new development studio in Montreal, Quebec, led by former members of Ubisoft Montreal behind , Luc Bouchard, Xavier Marquis, Alexandre Remy, and Romain Rimokh.[17] During a major leak of Twitch's source code in October 2021, it was revealed that Amazon Games was working on a competitor to Steam, codenamed "Vapor".[18] New World launched on September 28, 2021, reaching 707,000 concurrent players at its peak on launch day.[19]

Lost Ark is a massively multiplayer online action role-playing game (MMOARPG) developed by Tripod Studio and Smilegate's game development subsidiary Smilegate RPG. It was fully released in the Korean region on December 4, 2018. The game was also released in North America, South America, and Europe on February 11, 2022, by Amazon Games. Within twenty-four hours of release, it became the second most played game on Steam.[20]

On September 22, 2021, Amazon Games announced it will publish a new title from game developer Glowmade. Based in Guildford, England, Glowmade’s staff includes veterans of Lionhead Studios. This game for Amazon will be a new IP focusing on online cooperative play.[21] In March 2022, studio head Mike Frazzini stepped down.[22] In April 2023, Amazon Games VP Christoph Hartmann wrote a memo to staff about laying off roughly 100 employees across its video games division.[23] In November 2023, Amazon eliminated over 180 employees, resulting in the shuttering of the Crown Twitch channel and the closing of Amazon's Game Growth team in an effort to focus Prime Gaming benefits on free games.[24] In May 2024, Amazon Games opened its first European studio in Bucharest.[25] [26] [27]

Divisions

Game development divisions include:[28] [29] [30] [31]

Technology

Games

YearTitleDeveloper(s)Platform(s)
2010Airport Mania

First Flight

Reflexive Entertainment
South Wind Games		Amazon Appstore
2011Airport Mania 2: Wild Trips
2012Air Patriots[36] Reflexive Entertainment
Simplz: Zoo
Lucky's Escape
Living Classics[37] Amazon Game StudiosFacebook
2014To-Fu Fury[38] HotGenAmazon Appstore, iOS App Store
Tales From Deep Space[39] Frontier DevelopmentsAmazon Appstore
Sev ZeroAmazon Game StudiosAmazon Appstore, Google Play, iOS App Store[40]
The UnmakingAmazon Appstore[41]
2015Lost WithinHuman Head StudiosAmazon Appstore, iOS App Store[42]
Til Morning's Light[43] Amazon Game Studios
WayForward		Amazon Appstore
2018Dragon's Lair[44] Amazon Game Studios SeattleTwitch Extension
2019The Grand Tour GameAmazon Game Studios Seattle[45] PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2020CrucibleRelentless StudiosWindows
2021New World[46] Amazon Games Orange County, Relentless Studios[47] Windows
2022Lost ArkSmilegate RPGWindows
2024Blue ProtocolBandai Namco Studios, Bandai Namco OnlineWindows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
TBAThrone and LibertyNCSoftWindows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Untitled Tomb Raider project[48] Crystal DynamicsTBA
Unannounced project[49] GlowmadeTBA
Unannounced projectDisruptive GamesWindows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Untitled The Lord of the Rings MMORPG[50] Amazon Games Orange CountyWindows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Untitled online story-driven role-playing game.[51] Amazon GamesTBA
Untitled narrative-led open world driving game.[52] Maverick GamesWindows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Cancelled games

!Title!Developer(s)
Nova[53] Amazon Game Studios
Intensity
BreakawayAmazon Game Studios Orange County[54]
Lord of the Rings MMO[55] Amazon Game Studios

Notes and References

  1. https://www.adweek.com/digital/amazon-game-studios-launches-living-classics-is-it-any-good/ Amazon Game Studios Launches "Living Classics" for Facebook: Is It Any Good?
  2. Web site: Amazon Game Studios - Locations . October 14, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171208043836/https://games.amazon.com/locations . December 8, 2017 . dead .
  3. Web site: Gilliam . Ryan . Amazon opens new game studio led by EverQuest creator John Smedley . Polygon . 2017-02-15 . 2019-08-15.
  4. Web site: Amazon Games hires 'Rainbow Six' devs to head up new development studio in Montreal. March 23, 2021. GeekWire.
  5. https://www.gsmarena.com/amazon_app_store_is_now_live_apple_is_suing_for_the_name-news-2440.php Amazon Appstore is now live, Apple is suing for the name
  6. https://web.archive.org/web/20140328095239/http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2011/05/27/amazon-wants-to-hire-game-designer-to-create-facebook-and-mobile-social-games/ Amazon Wants to Hire Game Designer to Create Facebook and Mobile Social Games
  7. Web site: Sarkar . Samit . 2015-03-26 . Amazon bringing Fire Phone-exclusive games to iOS . 2023-11-15 . Polygon . en-US.
  8. Web site: Gilliam . Ryan . Amazon kills its fantasy sports game Breakaway . Polygon . 2018-04-02 . 2019-08-15.
  9. Web site: Amazon Lays Off Dozens Of Game Developers During E3. Kotaku. June 14, 2019 .
  10. Web site: New Details On The Lord of the Rings MMO, Including Its Art Style, Have Emerged.
  11. Web site: Amazon Cancels Lord of the Rings Game Announced Two Years Ago . Jason . Schreier . April 17, 2021 . April 17, 2021 . .
  12. Web site: Amazon hires John Smedley to lead new San Diego studio. GamesIndustry.biz. February 15, 2017 .
  13. Web site: March 9, 2017. Louis Castle joins Amazon to head Crucible team. Polygon.
  14. Web site: September 30, 2016. Amazon Game Studios unveils three PC games - Breakaway, Crucible, New World.
  15. Web site: February 15, 2017. Amazon opens new game studio led by EverQuest creator John Smedley. Polygon.
  16. Web site: March 12, 2017. The curious case of Amazon's deep plunge into the esports industry.
  17. Web site: Amazon Games Opens New Studio In Montreal With Rainbow Six Siege Vets. GameSpot. March 23, 2021. March 23, 2021. Steve. Watts.
  18. News: Stanton. Rich. 2021-10-06. Twitch megaleak reveals secret Steam competitor codenamed Vapour. en. PC Gamer. 2021-10-07.
  19. Web site: Gonzalez. Oscar. New World surpasses 900,000 players to become one of Steam's most played games. 2022-01-14. CNET. en.
  20. Web site: Warren . Tom . 2022-02-12 . Lost Ark becomes the second most played game in Steam history after just 24 hours . 2022-04-11 . The Verge . en.
  21. Web site: 2021-09-22. Amazon will publish a game from Glowmade. 2022-01-14. VentureBeat. en-US.
  22. Web site: Amazon Games Studio Head Frazzini Steps Down . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511071748/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-26/amazon-games-studio-head-frazzini-steps-down . May 11, 2023 . live .
  23. News: Palmer . Annie . TECH Amazon lays off more than 100 employees in its video games division: Read the memo here . 5 April 2023 . CNBC . 4 April 2023.
  24. Web site: Peters . Jay . 2023-11-13 . Amazon is getting rid of its gaming content channel amid larger games layoffs . 2024-03-02 . The Verge . en.
  25. Web site: Middler . Jordan . 2024-05-21 . Amazon Games is opening its first European studio, helmed by a Ubisoft veteran . 2024-05-21 . Video Games Chronicle . en.
  26. Web site: Kerr . Chris . 2024-05-21 . Amazon Games opens Bucharest studio to support development and publishing ambitions . 2024-05-21 . Game Developer . en.
  27. Web site: McEvoy . Sophie . 2024-05-22 . Amazon opens new studio in Bucharest . 2024-05-22 . GamesIndustry.biz . en.
  28. Web site: Amazon hires John Smedley to lead new San Diego studio. GamesIndustry.biz. 15 February 2017. en. 2020-05-20. 2020-04-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408012230/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-02-15-amazon-hires-john-smedley-to-lead-new-san-diego-studio. live.
  29. Web site: Amazon opens new game studio led by EverQuest creator John Smedley. McWhertor. Michael. 2017-02-15. Polygon. en. 2020-05-20. 2020-07-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20200725065042/https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/15/14628784/amazon-game-studios-john-smedley-san-diego. live.
  30. Web site: Amazon Game Studios unveils three PC games - Breakaway, Crucible, New World. 2016-09-30. VG247. 2020-05-20. 2020-05-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20200520020232/https://www.vg247.com/2016/09/30/amazon-game-studios-unveils-three-pc-games-breakaway-crucible-new-world/. live.
  31. Web site: Amazon Games opens Montreal studio. GamesIndustry.biz. 23 March 2021. 2021-06-24. 2021-06-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203509/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-03-23-amazon-games-opens-montreal-studio. live.
  32. Web site: 19 May 2020 . 'Crucible' proves that Amazon is finally serious about video games . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200519221149/https://www.engadget.com/crucible-amazon-relentless-game-preview-interview-130013794.html . 2020-05-19 . 2020-05-20 . Engadget . en.
  33. Web site: Statt . Nick . 2020-05-05 . Amazon's Crucible is a free-to-play multiplayer game launching May 20th . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200527065510/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/5/21246923/amazon-crucible-relentless-studio-free-to-play-launch-date-may-20 . 2020-05-27 . 2020-05-20 . The Verge . en.
  34. Chalk . Andy . 2020-05-20 . Amazon's free-to-play PvP shooter Crucible is now live on Steam . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200528195234/https://www.pcgamer.com/amazons-pvp-shooter-crucible-is-now-live-on-steam/ . 2020-05-28 . 2020-05-20 . PC Gamer . en-US.
  35. Web site: Amazon's 'Crucible' Is Officially Dead. Erik. Kain. Forbes. 2021-06-24. 2021-02-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20210206043221/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2020/10/11/amazons-crucible-is-officially-dead/. live.
  36. https://www.theverge.com/2012/11/1/3585244/amazon-first-mobile-game-air-patriots-iphone-android-kindle-fire Amazon launches its first mobile game, 'Air Patriots,' for iOS and Android
  37. https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/06/amazon-releases-first-social-game-living-classics/ Amazon Takes On Zynga, Releases First Social Game Living Classics
  38. https://www.androidpolice.com/2014/07/21/amazon-game-studios-first-fire-phone-games-to-fu-fury-and-sabers-edge-demonstrate-bad-cases-of-kinect-syndrome/ Amazon Game Studios' First Fire Phone Games, To-Fu Fury And Saber's Edge, Demonstrate Bad Cases Of Kinect Syndrome
  39. https://www.androidpolice.com/2014/11/19/amazon-game-studios-tales-deep-space-blasts-towards-fire-device-near/ Amazon Game Studios' 'Tales From Deep Space' Blasts Off Towards A Fire Device Near You
  40. https://techcrunch.com/2014/09/04/amazon-games-studios-launches-its-first-gaming-app-on-itunes/ Amazon Games Studios Launches Its First Gaming App On iTunes
  41. https://www.androidpolice.com/2014/12/12/amazon-game-studios-releases-free-unmaking-preview-filled-waves-server-powered-enemies/ Amazon Game Studios Releases Free 'The Unmaking'
  42. https://venturebeat.com/2015/04/16/amazon-game-studios-launches-new-survival-horror-game-lost-within-on-fire-and-ios-devices/ Amazon Game Studios launches new survival-horror game Lost Within on Fire and iOS devices
  43. https://www.androidpolice.com/2015/05/20/amazon-game-studios-releases-til-mornings-light-a-puzzleadventurehorrormysteryfighting-game/ Amazon Game Studios Releases 'Til Morning's Light' An Adventure Game With Puzzles And Monsters Galore
  44. https://blog.twitch.tv/en/2018/10/26/new-extension-experiences-launching-at-twitchcon-a4d3b32d057e/ New Extension Experiences Launching at TwitchCon
  45. https://web.archive.org/web/20181004204424/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazon-game-studios-announces-grand-150000550.html Amazon Game Studios Announces The Grand Tour Game
  46. https://gamblerkey.org/articles/new-world New World Review: A Promising MMORPG Game by Amazon Game Studios
  47. https://www.pcgamer.com/hands-on-with-amazons-mmo-new-world-where-hundreds-of-players-war-over-a-supernatural-continent/ Hands-on with Amazon's MMO New World, where hundreds of players war over a supernatural continent
  48. Web site: Cabello . Marcos . Amazon Will Publish the Tomb Raider Game . December 15, 2022 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20221215213342/https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/amazon-will-publish-the-tomb-raider-game/. December 15, 2022. live.
  49. Web site: 2021-09-22. Amazon will publish a game from Glowmade. 2022-01-14. VentureBeat. en-US.
  50. Web site: 2023-05-15 . Amazon Games and Embracer Group’s Middle-earth Enterprises Strike Deal for New 'The Lord of the Rings' Game . 2023-05-15 . Amazon Games . en-us.
  51. Web site: Jace . 2023-08-21 . Amazon Creating Unannounced AAA Online Story-Driven RPG IP . 2023-08-24 . Gamesual . en-US.
  52. Web site: 2024-05-29 . Amazon Games signs publishing deal with Maverick Games for new narrative-led open-world driving game . 2024-05-29 . Amazon Games . en-us.
  53. News: 2021-01-29 . Amazon Can Make Just About Anything—Except a Good Video Game . en . Bloomberg.com . 2021-01-30.
  54. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazon-reveals-breakaway-streamer-friendly-151543347.html Amazon reveals 'Breakaway,' a streamer-friendly MOBA built with Twitch integration
  55. Web site: Lyons . Kim . April 17, 2021 . Amazon has canceled its Lord of the Rings MMO game . The Verge.

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