DICE (company) explained

EA Digital Illusions CE AB
Trade Name:DICE
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Video games
Founded: in Växjö, Sweden
Hq Location City:Stockholm
Hq Location Country:Sweden
Key People:Rebecka Coutaz (general manager)
Num Employees:714[1]
Num Employees Year:2020
Parent:Electronic Arts (2006–present)
Divisions:Frostbite Labs

EA Digital Illusions CE AB (trade name: DICE) is a Swedish video game developer based in Stockholm. The company was founded in 1992 and has been a subsidiary of Electronic Arts since 2006. Its releases include the Battlefield, Mirror's Edge and series. Through their Frostbite Labs division, the company also develops the Frostbite game engine.

History

Foundation and early years (1992–2000)

Digital Illusions was founded in May 1992 by Olof "Olle" Gustafsson, Markus Nyström, Fredrik Liljegren and Andreas Axelsson, four friends and former members of The Silents, a demogroup that developed for Amiga systems.[2] The four studied at Växjö University, thus DICE was established in Växjö.

Expansion (2000–2004)

In 2000, DICE acquired developer Refraction Games (developers of Codename Eagle).[3] From the acquisition, DICE inherited the in-development Battlefield 1942. Patrick Söderlund, who had founded Refraction Games in 1997, subsequently joined DICE as chief executive officer.[4] This was followed with the merger of Sandbox Studios in April 2001.[5] Sandbox Studios added 50 employees to DICE's staff, amounting to 150 total employees.[6] In September 2004, DICE also merged with Trauma Studios in New York City.[7] [8] Trauma Studios employed nine people at the time.[9]

Acquisition by Electronic Arts (2006–present)

In November 2004, Electronic Arts (EA) announced their intent to purchase all outstanding shares in DICE at a price of per share, with the deal's closing deadline scheduled for 27 December.[10] At the time, EA owned 18.9% in DICE.[11] Initially, the offer was rejected by shareholders representing 28% of DICE's ownership on 15 December,[12] after which EA adjusted its offer on 20 December, intending to only purchase 44.5% at the same price per share, extending the offer deadline to 20 January 2005.[13] On 25 January 2005, shareholders agreed to the acquisition, and EA raised their ownership in DICE to 59.8%.[14] [15]

In March 2006, EA announced a new plan to acquire all outstanding shares in DICE for per share.[16] The acquisition was completed on 2 October, with 2.6 million shares in DICE transferred to EA in exchange for a total of .[17] [18] Shortly following the acquisition, on 5 October, EA closed Digital Illusions Canada, DICE's Ontario-based studio.[19] The 25 employees working at the studio at the time were given the option to transfer to DICE's headquarters in Stockholm or any other EA studio.[20] DICE co-founder Liljegren announced on 16 October that he established RedJade as a successor to Digital Illusions Canada.[21]

In May 2013, EA opened a new Los Angeles-based division for DICE known as DICE LA, helmed by former senior staff of EA's previously closed studio Danger Close Games.[22] DICE LA had generally been involved with support of DICE and other EA games and had not generated any title on their own. Vince Zampella of Respawn Entertainment (another EA studio) was named as the studio's new lead in January 2020. Zampella had indicated at this time that they would likely become separate from DICE, and change their name to reflect this.[23] DICE LA announced their new name, Ripple Effect Studios, in July 2021, but otherwise under management by Zampella, and while they will finish work on Battlefield 2042, will move in a new direction following its release.[24]

On 2 December 2021 Electronic Arts announced that Vince Zampella, co-founder of Respawn Entertainment and head of Ripple Effect Studios, will oversee the Battlefield series going forward, with Ripple Effect leading the way in developing the franchise's "new experiences", instead of DICE.[25] [26] Along with the announcement, it was reported that DICE General Manager Oskar Gabrielson would be leaving EA, with Rebecka Coutaz, formerly Managing Director of Ubisoft Annecy, taking his place in the role.[27]

Technology

See main article: Frostbite (game engine).

Games developed

YearTitlePlatform(s)
1992Pinball DreamsAmiga
Pinball FantasiesAmiga, Amiga CD32
1993AmiganoidAmiga
1994BenefactorAmiga, Amiga CD32
1995Pinball IllusionsAmiga, Amiga CD32, MS-DOS
1997True PinballPlayStation, Sega Saturn
S40 RacingMicrosoft Windows
1998MotorheadMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation
1999Swedish Touring Car ChampionshipMicrosoft Windows
2000Swedish Touring Car Championship 2
Riding Champion: Legacy of Rosemond Hill
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
NASCAR HeatPlayStation
2001ShrekXbox
2002RalliSport ChallengeMicrosoft Windows, Xbox
Pryzm: Chapter One — The Dark UnicornPlayStation 2
Battlefield 1942macOS, Microsoft Windows
Shrek: Extra LargeGameCube
V8 ChallengeMicrosoft Windows
2003macOS, Microsoft Windows
Midtown Madness 3Xbox
macOS, Microsoft Windows
2004RalliSport Challenge 2Xbox
2005Battlefield 2Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360
2006Battlefield 2142macOS, Microsoft Windows
2008PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Mirror's EdgeMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2009Battlefield HeroesMicrosoft Windows
Battlefield 1943PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2010iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Need for Speed: Hot PursuitAndroid, iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii, Windows Phone, Xbox 360
Battlefield OnlineMicrosoft Windows
Medal of HonorMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2011Battlefield Play4FreeMicrosoft Windows
Battlefield 3iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2013Battlefield 4Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
2015Star Wars BattlefrontMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2016Mirror's Edge Catalyst
Battlefield 1
2017Star Wars Battlefront II
2018Battlefield V
2019UltracoreMega Sg, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, and Xbox Series
2021Battlefield 2042Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

Notes

  1. Co-developed with Easy Studios
  2. Co-developed with Neowiz Games
  3. Cancelled in 1994 but eventually revived by Strictly Limited Games and released in 2019

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Game Developer Index 2021 . Dataspelbranchen . November 2021 . 27 February 2022 . 26 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211126133641/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a61edb7a803bb7a65252b2d/t/619e2c30997e621952143a08/1637755962620/Spelutvecklarindex2021-ENG-WEBB.pdf . live .
  2. Web site: Digital Illusions fyller 25 år . Digital Illusions turns 25 years . Gunner . 9 September 2017 . Hype.se . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103131412/https://hype.se/2017/09/09/digital-illusions-fyller-25-ar/ . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  3. Web site: Digital Illusions – taisteluni . Digital Illusions – My Struggle . nnirvi . 2 November 2006 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160801084943/http://www.pelit.fi/artikkelit/digital-illusions-taisteluni/ . 1 August 2016 . live . dmy-all .
  4. Web site: EA Chief Design Officer Patrick Soderlund Leaves Company . Brian . Crecente . 14 August 2018 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103170537/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/ea-chief-design-officer-patrick-soderlund-leaves-company-1202904465/ . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  5. Web site: Digital Illusions and Sandbox Studios Merge . IGN Staff . 6 April 2001 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210101/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/06/digital-illusions-and-sandbox-studios-merge . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  6. Web site: Digital Illusions Nabs Sandbox Studios . IGN Staff . 11 April 2001 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103170537/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/11/digital-illusions-nabs-sandbox-studios . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  7. Web site: Digital Illusions Acquires Trauma Studios . Simon . Carless . 1 September 2004 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210322/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/95192/Digital_Illusions_Acquires_Trauma_Studios.php . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  8. Web site: DICE Buys Trauma Studios . Maarten . Goldstein . 1 September 2004 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103170526/https://www.shacknews.com/article/33345/dice-buys-trauma-studios . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  9. Web site: Digital Illusions Embraces Trauma . David . Adams . 1 September 2004 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210631/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/01/digital-illusions-embraces-trauma . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  10. Web site: EA to Buy Digital Illusions . David . Adams . 15 November 2004 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210701/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/15/ea-to-buy-digital-illusions . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  11. Web site: EA tables bid to take over Digital Illusions . GamesIndustry International . 15 November 2004 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210553/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news151104eadice . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  12. Web site: Digital Illusions shareholders reject EA buyout . Rob . Fahey . 15 December 2004 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210505/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/digital-illusions-shareholders-reject-ea-buyout . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  13. Web site: EA Adjusts Offer For Digital Illusions . Andrew . Brunes . 20 December 2004 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210711/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/20/ea-adjusts-offer-for-digital-illusions . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  14. Web site: EA Gains Controlling Interest of Digital Illusions . Daniel . Bloodworth . 25 January 2006 . Nintendo World Report . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210559/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/10235/ea-gains-controlling-interest-of-digital-illusions . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  15. Web site: Digital Illusions shareholders accept EA offer . Rob . Fahey . 26 January 2006 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210425/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/digital-illusions-shareholders-accept-ea-offer . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  16. Web site: EA and DICE announce new merger plan . Tom . Bramwell . 17 March 2006 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210701/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ea-and-dice-announce-new-merger-plan . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  17. Web site: EA rolls DICE for $23 million . Tor . Thorsen . 2 October 2006 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181008134613/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-rolls-dice-for-23-million/1100-6159171/ . 8 October 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  18. Web site: EA completes DICE acquisition . Matt . Martin . 2 October 2006 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210653/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ea-completes-dice-acquisition . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  19. Web site: EA confirms DICE Canada closure . Matt . Martin . 5 October 2006 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210711/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ea-confirms-dice-canada-closure . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  20. Web site: Digital Illusions Canada Closes . David . Adams . 5 October 2006 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210718/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/10/05/digital-illusions-canada-closes . 3 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  21. Web site: REDJADE Opens for Business . GamesIndustry International . 16 October 2006 . . 3 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181104010032/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/redjade-opens-for-business . 4 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  22. Web site: DICE LA: From the Ashes of Medal of Honor . Mitch . Dyer . May 16, 2013 . . 21 September 2019 . 21 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190921092847/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/16/dice-la-from-the-ashes-of-medal-of-honor . live .
  23. Web site: From 'Titanfall' to 'Star Wars,' the evolution of game studio Respawn mirrors our search for story . Todd . Marten . January 2, 2020 . January 2, 2020 . . 2 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200102174521/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-01-02/respawn-went-from-titanfall-to-star-wars-and-is-just-getting-started . live .
  24. Web site: Exclusive: EA's DICE LA is Changing Its Name to Ripple Effect Studios And Developing An Unannounced Game . Kat . Bailey . July 7, 2021 . July 7, 2021 . . 7 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210707173316/https://www.ign.com/articles/dice-la-ripple-effect-studios-christian-grass-news . live .
  25. Web site: Respawn head Vince Zampella now leading Battlefield franchise, announces connected universe. Windows Central. December 2, 2021. December 3, 2021. Samuel. Tolbert. 3 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211203124502/https://www.windowscentral.com/respawn-head-vince-zampella-now-leading-battlefield-franchise. live.
  26. Web site: EA puts Apex Legends boss in charge of Battlefield as part of internal shakeup. The Verge. December 2, 2021. December 3, 2021. Jay. Peters. 3 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211203124503/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/2/22814517/ea-battlefield-vince-zampella-apex-legends-respawn-boss-ceo-shakeup. live.
  27. The Battlefield series is now in the hands of Respawn co-founder Vince Zampella. PC Gamer. December 2, 2021. December 3, 2021. Tyler. Wilde. 3 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211203000215/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-battlefield-series-is-now-in-the-hands-of-respawn-co-founder-vince-zampella/. live.

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