Deck Nine Explained

Idol Minds, LLC
Trade Name:Deck Nine (2017–present)
Type:Private
Industry:Video games
Founded: in Boulder, Colorado, US
Hq Location City:Westminster, Colorado
Hq Location Country:US

Idol Minds, LLC (doing business as Deck Nine[1] or Deck Nine Games[2] since 2017) is an American video game developer based in Westminster, Colorado. The studio was founded in April 1997 by Mark Lyons and Scott Atkins and developed games exclusively for PlayStation consoles until 2012. Subsequently, it shifted to mobile games among other things before rebranding as "Deck Nine" in May 2017 to develop narrative-driven games. Lyons serves as president and chief technology officer of the company.

History

Idol Minds was founded by programmer Mark Lyons and artist Scott Atkins. They had previously worked for Sony Interactive Studios America in San Diego and, after Lyons moved to Colorado with his family, established Idol Minds on April 1, 1997, in Boulder, Colorado.[3] [4] [5] It developed sports games under 989 Studios. In November 2007, the studio released ragdoll physics-based game Pain,[6] [7] which was among the most-downloaded games on PlayStation Network of 2008.[8] [9] In October 2009, Idol Minds reportedly made 26 of its 46 employees redundant. One source attributed the layoffs to budget cuts by Pain publisher Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), which was Idol Minds' only source of funding.[10] [11]

At E3 2011, SCE announced Ruin, a "Diablo-style action role-playing game" developed by Idol Minds and SCE's San Diego Studio.[12] [13] After the game was renamed Warrior's Lair, Idol Minds was taken off the project in April 2012 (Warrior's Lair was canceled by Sony in July 2013[14] [15]).[16] [17] Later in 2012, Idol Minds shifted its focus onto mobile free-to-play games.[18] [19] In August 2015, Idol Minds launched a crowdfunding campaign via Kickstarter for photo safari game Shutterbug, seeking in funding (The project was canceled after raising $2,973 in ten days).[20]

On May 31, 2017, Idol Minds announced that it would focus on narrative-driven games with brand and trade name "Deck Nine", an homage to 1983 video game Planetfall.[21] It built toolset StoryForge for creating these and was developing a project in a "critically acclaimed franchise".[22] [23] During E3 2017, publisher Square Enix announced Deck Nine was developing , a prequel to 2015's Life Is Strange.[24] [25] The game's first episode was announced for release in August 2017.[26] [27] In September 2018, Deck Nine announced it was working with Square Enix on a new project.[28]

In March 2021, Square Enix announced and the Life Is Strange Remastered Collection (containing remasters of Before the Storm and the original Life Is Strange), both remastered by Deck Nine, for release in September 2021.[29] [30] The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) supported Deck Nine with $2.5 million job-growth incentive tax credits and via the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM), the production of True Colors with $150,000 phased film incentives in 2017 and 2018.[31] [32] In December 2021, Telltale Games announced to be co-developing with Deck Nine during The Game Awards 2021.[33] Life Is Strange Remastered Collection was released in February 2022.

In May 2023, Deck Nine reportedly laid off 30 employees.[34] In February 2024, Deck Nine confirmed that it would lay off 20% of its staff.[35] In April 2024, IGN reported on a toxic workplace culture based on employee testimonials and suspected Nazi symbolism found in a game by staff during development.[36]

Games developed

As Idol Minds

YearTitlePlatform(s)Publisher(s)Ref.
1998Cool Boarders 3PlayStation989 Studios
Rally Cross 2
1999Cool Boarders 4
Supercross Circuit989 Sports
2000Cool Boarders 2001PlayStation, PlayStation 2Sony Computer Entertainment
2003My StreetPlayStation 2
2005
2007PainPlayStation 3
2008Madagascar: Escape 2 AfricaPlayStation 2Activision
2012Ratchet & Clank CollectionPlayStation 3Sony Computer Entertainment
Linked TogetheriOSIdol Minds[37]
2013 (HD Edition)PlayStation 3Sony Computer Entertainment
PhrazzleiOS, AndroidGameFly[38]
2014Tales of Honor: The Secret FleetMobage[39]
Qube Kingdom

As Deck Nine

YearTitlePlatform(s)Publisher(s)
2017Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox OneSquare Enix
2021Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2022Life Is Strange Remastered CollectionMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One
2023 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/STelltale Games
2024 Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/SSquare Enix

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Summary: Deck Nine . . March 7, 2021.
  2. Web site: Summary: Deck Nine Games . . March 7, 2021.
  3. Web site: info . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/19980529180624/http://www.idolminds.com/info.html . May 29, 1998 . Idol Minds.
  4. News: Thomas . David . March 10, 2003 . Preteens may follow 'My Street' online Louisville's Idol Minds aims to expand appeal of Internet gaming . . . July 4, 2017 . October 10, 2011 . https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20111010010211/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives . live .
  5. Web site: Mook . Bob . November 20, 2005 . Louisville company tries to leave mark in video game world . July 4, 2017 . . . January 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210126144057/http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/11/21/story3.html . live .
  6. Web site: Roper . Chris . November 7, 2007 . Pain is Coming . July 4, 2017 . . . April 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210406061505/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/07/pain-is-coming . live .
  7. Web site: Caron . Frank . November 30, 2007 . Pain brings pleasure on the PlayStation Network . July 4, 2017 . . . June 2, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190602150806/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2007/11/pain-brings-the-pleasure/ . live .
  8. Web site: Cavalli . Earnest . December 30, 2012 . Pain Tops 2008 PSN Download List . July 4, 2017 . . . September 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170910040032/https://www.wired.com/2008/12/pain-tops-2008 . live .
  9. Web site: Plunkett . Luke . January 26, 2009 . Open Up For A Strong Dose Of PSN Stats . July 4, 2017 . . . November 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181112192120/https://kotaku.com/5139807/open-up-for-a-strong-dose-of-psn-stats . live .
  10. Web site: Yoon . Andrew . October 21, 2009 . Rumor: PAIN developer Idol Minds lays off more than half of staff . July 4, 2017 . . . November 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181104211159/https://www.engadget.com/2009/10/21/rumor-pain-developer-idol-minds-lays-off-more-than-half-of-staf/ . live .
  11. Web site: Crecente . Brian . October 21, 2009 . PS3 PAIN Developers Hit With Lay-Offs? . July 4, 2017 . . . November 22, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181122043705/https://kotaku.com/5386866/ps3-pain-developers-hit-with-lay-offs . live .
  12. Web site: Schramm . Mike . June 7, 2011 . Ruin preview: Hack and social . July 4, 2017 . . . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162051/https://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/ruin-preview-hack-and-social/ . live .
  13. Web site: Welsh . Oli . June 7, 2011 . Ruin announced for Vita and PS3 . July 4, 2017 . . . October 20, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020062030/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-07-ruin-announced-for-vita-and-ps3 . live .
  14. Web site: Lien . Tracey . July 3, 2013 . Sony cancels Warrior's Lair on PS Vita and PS3 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190602150811/https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/3/4490902/sony-cancels-warriors-lair-on-ps-vita-and-ps3 . June 2, 2019 . July 4, 2017 . . Vox Media.
  15. Web site: Moriarty . Colin . July 3, 2013 . Warrior's Lair on PS3 and Vita Has Been Cancelled . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170806190822/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/03/warriors-lair-on-ps3-and-vita-has-been-cancelled . August 6, 2017 . July 4, 2017 . . IGN Entertainment.
  16. Web site: Dutton . Fred . January 13, 2012 . Vita/PS3 RPG Ruin gets a new name . July 4, 2017 . . . June 2, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190602150805/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-13-vita-ps3-rpg-ruin-gets-a-new-name . live .
  17. Web site: Brightman . James . April 2, 2012 . Sony pulls Pain studio Idol Minds off Warrior's Lair project . July 4, 2017 . . . August 31, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190831114238/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-04-02-sony-pulls-pain-studio-idol-minds-off-warriors-lair-project . live .
  18. Web site: Idol Minds thinking mobile for gaming's future . . August 2, 2013 . April 10, 2021 . April 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210410194939/https://bizwest.com/2013/08/02/idol-minds-thinking-mobile-for-gamings-future/ . live .
  19. Web site: Games — Idol Minds Game Development . https://web.archive.org/web/20160616181547/http://www.idolminds.com/games/ . dead . June 16, 2016 . June 16, 2016. November 4, 2018 . "Unfortunately, the title was not completed and in 2012 we shifted into mobile F2P gaming.".
  20. Web site: August 17, 2015 . Colorado team's video game project a fantastical photo safari . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150818120757/http://www.chieftain.com/news/3849051-120/game-litchford-idol-minds . August 18, 2015 . November 5, 2018 . . en-us.
  21. Web site: Our Story . Deck Nine . July 18, 2021 . July 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210720021543/https://deckninegames.com/about-us/ . live .
  22. Web site: Wawro . Alex . May 31, 2017 . Pain dev Idol Minds rebrands and shifts focus to 'narrative-driven' games . July 4, 2017 . . . August 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210825031745/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/299095/Pain_dev_Idol_Minds_rebrands_and_shifts_focus_to_narrativedriven_games.php . live .
  23. Web site: Dring . Christopher . June 1, 2017 . Pain developer Idol Minds rebrands to focus on narrative . July 4, 2017 . . . January 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119161856/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-06-01-pain-developer-idol-minds-rebrands-to-focus-on-narrative . live .
  24. Web site: O'Connor . James . June 11, 2017 . Life is Strange's three-part prequel, Before The Storm, announced . July 4, 2017 . . . March 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210305225700/https://www.vg247.com/2017/06/11/life-is-stranges-three-part-prequel-before-the-storm-announced/ . live .
  25. Web site: Davenport . James . June 11, 2017 . Life is Strange: Before the Storm is releasing its first episode this August . July 4, 2017 . . . November 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041857/https://www.pcgamer.com/life-is-strange-before-the-storm-is-releasing-its-first-episode-this-august/ . live .
  26. Web site: O'Connor . Alice . June 12, 2017 . Life Is Strange: Before the Storm starts in August . July 4, 2017 . . . December 20, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201220202853/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/12/life-is-strange-2-release-date/ . live .
  27. Web site: Sarkar . Samit . June 11, 2017 . Life is Strange prequel Before the Storm debuts this summer (update) . July 4, 2017 . . . June 12, 2017 . https://archive.today/20170612033310/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/11/15779506/life-is-strange-prequel-before-the-storm-release-date . live .
  28. News: Fogel . Stefanie . September 20, 2018 . 'Life Is Strange: Before the Storm' Dev Making New Square Enix Game . en-US . Variety . November 4, 2018 . March 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210306232026/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/deck-nine-square-enix-project-1202951623/ . live .
  29. News: McWhertor . Michael . March 18, 2021 . 'Life is Strange: True Colors stars an Asian-American lead in an all-new adventure . en-US . . . March 18, 2021 . June 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210603183532/https://www.polygon.com/2021/3/18/22334256/life-is-strange-true-colors-release-date-mxmtoon . live .
  30. News: McWhertor . Michael . March 18, 2021 . 'Life is Strange and Before the Storm getting remastered re-releases . en-US . . . March 18, 2021 . October 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211006005104/https://www.polygon.com/2021/3/18/22337802/life-is-strange-remastered-collection-before-the-storm-release-date-platforms . live .
  31. Web site: Sealover . Ed . Colorado EDC offers incentives to 3 companies for a combined 655 jobs . Denver Business Journal . November 19, 2020 . April 17, 2021 . December 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201201160101/https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2020/11/19/colorado-economic-development-commission-deck-9.html . live .
  32. Web site: Deck Nine Games is set to release All-New Game “Life is Strange: True Colors” adventure with Asian American lead . oedit.colorado.gov . Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade . April 13, 2021 . April 17, 2021 . April 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210420115205/https://oedit.colorado.gov/blog-post/deck-nine-games-is-set-to-release-all-new-game-life-is-strange-true-colors-adventure-with . live .
  33. Web site: Holt . Kris . 'The Expanse' is getting the Telltale Games treatment . . December 10, 2021 . February 18, 2023 . February 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218145439/https://www.engadget.com/the-expanse-telltale-games-deck-nine-010806268.html . live.
  34. Web site: Carter . Justin . 2023-05-22 . Life is Strange dev Deck Nine Games hit with staff layoffs . https://archive.today/20231205211155/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/life-is-strange-dev-deck-nine-games-hit-with-staff-layoffs . 5 Dec 2023 . 2023-12-05 . Game Developer . en.
  35. DeckNineGames . 1762600546878599430 . Deck Nine Games on X: "Today we made the difficult decision to lay off 20% of our staff.".
  36. Web site: Valentine . Rebekah . 2024-04-05 . How Hidden Nazi Symbols Were the Tip of a Toxic Iceberg at Life Is Strange Developer Deck Nine . 2024-04-05 . IGN . en.
  37. Web site: Linked Together . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210822200412/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/linked-together/details . August 22, 2021 . 2021-08-22 . Metacritic . en.
  38. Web site: Garnett . Lee . November 15, 2013 . Phrazzle is GameFly's second mobile game, lets you build phrases . 2023-03-11 . Shacknews . en.
  39. Web site: September 22, 2014 . Qube Kingdom: difendete il regno di Qubria con tanti soldati...cubici! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210410203759/https://www.androidworld.it/2014/09/22/qube-kingdom-disponibile-android-248786/ . April 10, 2021 . April 10, 2021 . AndroidWorld . it-IT.

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