Mindscape (company) explained

Mindscape
Type:Private
Industry:Video games
Fate:Dissolved
Founded: in Northbrook, Illinois, US
Founder:Roger Buoy
Hq Location City:Boulogne-Billancourt
Hq Location Country:France

Mindscape was a video game developer and publisher. The company was founded by Roger Buoy in October 1983 in Northbrook, Illinois, originally as part of SFN Companies until a management buyout was completed in 1987. Mindscape went public in 1988 and was subsequently acquired in 1990 by The Software Toolworks, eyeing Mindscape's Nintendo license. When Toolworks was acquired by Pearson plc in 1994, Mindscape became the primary identity for the development group. Mindscape was then sold to The Learning Company in 1998 and bought out by Jean-Pierre Nordman in 2001, becoming headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. Following the poor performance of its products, Mindscape exited the video game industry in August 2011. Notable titles released by Mindscape include the MacVenture series, Balance of Power, , Legend, , and Lego Island.

History

Early years (1983–1988)

Mindscape was founded in October 1983 as a wholly owned subsidiary of holding company SFN Companies.[1] [2] Mindscape's founder, Australian entrepreneur Roger Buoy, had previously been a computer analyst for Rolls-Royce Limited and later worked for the software division of Scholastic Inc., before being hired by SFN in October 1983 to set up Mindscape.[3] For Mindscape, Buoy acted as president and chief executive officer (CEO). Mindscape released its first product in April 1984. Early games published by the company include Déjà Vu, Balance of Power, and Sub Mission: A Matter of Life and Death.[4] [5] In its early years, Mindscape lost about annually.[6]

In July 1986, Mindscape acquired the assets of Scarborough Systems, a software company from Tarrytown, New York.[7] Scarborough Systems continued its operations through Lifeboat Assoc., a subsidiary that was not acquired by Mindscape.[8] In October, SFN announced that it would be selling or closing large parts of its business, including plans to liquidate Mindscape.[9] On December 31, Mindscape also acquired the assets of Roslyn, New York-based company Learning Well. Because Mindscape was not liquidated by the end of 1986, it was assigned to SFN Partners L.P., a limited partnership company. A new corporation set up by Buoy and SFN's former president and chairman, John Purcell, subsequently acquired Mindscape from SFN Partners on January 16, 1987, for .[10] Buoy retained his positions in the company, while Purcell became its chairman. At this point, Mindscape had 74 employees.

With sales of, Mindscape had become profitable for the first time in the fourth quarter of 1986; it started publishing black numbers by 1987. In early 1987, Mindscape introduced the Thunder Mountain label to produce software at a lower price, with Rambo: First Blood Part II being the first title to be produced under the label.[11] In March 1987, Mindscape acquired the software division of Holt, Rinehart and Winston formerly known as CBS Interactive Learning, with all operations moved to Mindscape's Northbrook, Illinois, headquarters. By June 1988, Mindscape filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to prepare an initial public offering (IPO) and become a public company. The move aimed at raising through sale of stock to reduce its bank loan debts of . The IPO was completed that same month, with the company commencing trading over-the-counter, and the first shares were issued by July.[12] [13] Bob Ingersoll and Dennis O'Malley were appointed vice president (VP) of marketing and VP of sales, respectively, in May 1987.[14] In November, Mindscape signed a lease of 21000square feet of office space in Wheeling, Illinois, for .[15] Robert A. Drell, formerly of Dresher Inc., became VP of finance and chief financial officer in October 1988.[16]

Under The Software Toolworks and Pearson (1989–1997)

In December 1989, video game company The Software Toolworks reached an agreement to acquire Mindscape, exchanging every Mindscape share for 0.4375 of a share in newly issued Toolworks common stock.[17] The deal was completed on March 13, 1990, and valued at .[18] [19] Mindscape had been one of the approximately forty companies licensed to develop for Nintendo video game platforms, which was a major reason for the acquisition.[20] The two companies merged, and Buoy joined Les Crane on Toolworks' company board.[21] Following the acquisition, Mindscape became Toolwork's division working exclusively on games for Nintendo platforms, which sharply increased Toolwork's earnings.[22] Subsequently, in March 1994, Pearson plc agreed to acquire Toolworks for, with the deal closing on May 12, 1994.[23] [24]

Pearson was criticized for overpaying in the acquisition, and the acquired company lost in its early years under Pearson.[25] [26] By November 1994, Toolworks had assumed the Mindscape identity.[27] The same year, Mindscape acquired video game developer Strategic Simulations.[28] In September 1995, it acquired Micrologic Software from Emeryville, California, to undisclosed terms.[29] In January 1996, John F. Moore became CEO after leaving the same position at Western Publishing.[30] In November, it laid off twelve developed staff as a cost reduction measure.[31] In 1997, Mindscape acquired software company Multimedia Design.[32] In its final year under Pearson, 1997, Mindscape become profitable again, generating .[33] One day prior to the release of Lego Island that year, Mindscape fired all of the development team that worked on the game to avoid paying them bonuses.[34]

Under The Learning Company and later years (1998–2011)

Pearson proceeded to sell Mindscape to The Learning Company (TLC) in March 1998 for in cash and stock.[35] A waiting period was temporarily imposed by the Federal Trade Commission and subsequently terminated the same month.[36] TLC expected that its stocks would rise per share as a result of the acquisition, while Pearson lost around .[37] Later that year, when TLC integrated its Broderbund division, Mindscape took over Broderbund's productivity, reference and entertainment brands.[38] The company's Mindscape unit would acquire Petz developer PF.Magic in 1998.[39] TLC would be eventually acquired by Mattel in May 1999 and became a subsidiary of the company's Mattel Media division, later renamed Mattel Interactive.[40] By then, Mattel occasionally used the Mindscape name for publishing.

TLC and Mattel Interactive's gaming assets were acquired by Gores Technology Group in 2000 and its game brands were reformed under a new entity, Game Studios, in January 2001.[41] The same year, former TLC-Edusoft executive Jean-Pierre Nordman bought out Mindscape from TLC, installing it as a separate entity in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris, France, and assuming a managerial role.[42]

In October 2005, French video game developer and publisher Coktel Vision was sold to Mindscape, wherein eleven Coktel employees were absorbed into Mindscape.[43] The Coktel brand name, however, was retained by Mindscape many years afterwards; its history officially ended in 2011 when Mindscape closed.[44]

By December 2009, Thierry Bensoussan had become the managing director for Mindscape.[45] The company opened an internal development studio, Punchers Impact, in Paris to develop multi-platform digital download games. The studio's managers, Guillaume Descamps and Jérôme Amouyal, left the studio less than a year later, in September 2010, to found a new studio, Birdies Road.[46] Punchers Impact developed two games—Crasher, a racing game, and U-Sing, a music game. U-Sing performed well at retail, but the cost of music licenses for the game had a severe impact on its revenue, while Crasher underperformed in general.[47] [48] As a result, Mindscape announced on August 10, 2011, that it had closed Punchers Impact and laid off its forty employees, while itself would effectively exit the video game industry.[49] Some regional subsidiaries, such as Mindscape Asia-Pacific in Sydney, Australia, continued operating in the video game business as entities independent from Mindscape.[50]

Software developed and/or published

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MINDSCAPE TO BUY SOFTWARE GROUP . Christine . Winter . March 13, 1987 . . April 12, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190412034931/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-03-13-8701200309-story.html . April 12, 2019 . live .
  2. Web site: MINDSCAPE . Christine . Winter . December 2, 1985 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222256/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-12-02-8503230420-story.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  3. Web site: Report: Mindscape Leaves Video Game Industry After Nearly 30 Years . Frank . Cifaldi . August 10, 2011 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222248/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/126467/Report_Mindscape_Leaves_Video_Game_Industry_After_Nearly_30_Years.php . June 26, 2019 . live .
  4. Web site: PLAYING WITH APOCALYPSE . David . Aaron . December 28, 1985 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222248/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/29/magazine/playing-with-apocalypse.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  5. Web site: The self-destructing game of 1986 . Ben . Bertoli . October 10, 2016 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222251/https://www.polygon.com/features/2016/10/10/13192240/sub-mission-self-destructing-game-1986 . June 26, 2019 . live .
  6. Web site: N COS. SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE LEVERAGED BUYOUT . Charles . Storch . January 31, 1985 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222251/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-01-31-8501060702-story.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  7. Web site: NORTHBROOK SOFTWARE COMPANY BOUGHT BY NEW CORPORATION . Christine . Winter . January 19, 1987 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190627092124/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-01-19-8701050684-story.html . June 27, 2019 . live .
  8. Web site: MINDSCAPE BUYS SCARBOROUGH . July 28, 1986 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222251/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-07-28-8602240145-story.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  9. Web site: SFN SELLING TEXTBOOK FIRMS . Charles . Storch . October 15, 1986 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626224725/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-10-15-8603200489-story.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  10. Web site: $9.6 MILLION STOCK SALE PLANNED BY MINDSCAPE . Christine . Winter . June 7, 1988 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190627092127/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-06-07-8801050717-story.html . June 27, 2019 . live .
  11. News: January 1987 . New Mindscape Division . 6 . Computer Entertainer.
  12. Web site: MINDSCAPE OFFERS STOCK . June 24, 1988 . . October 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191030163553/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-06-24-8801100192-story.html . October 30, 2019 . live .
  13. Web site: TOOLWORKS TO BUY MINDSCAPE . David C. . Rudd . December 6, 1986 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190627092125/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-12-06-8903150762-story.html . June 27, 2019 . live .
  14. Web site: MORE BRITONS ON MADISON AVE. . George . Lazarus . May 14, 1987 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190627092121/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-05-14-8702050809-story.html . June 27, 2019 . live .
  15. Web site: ZURICH-AMERICAN ADDS TO HQ . November 22, 1987 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222258/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-11-22-8703280069-story.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  16. Web site: DRESHER OFFICER NAMED VP AT MINDSCAPE . October 27, 1988 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222254/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-10-27-8802110029-story.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  17. Web site: COMPANY BRIEFS . December 6, 1989 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222250/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/06/business/company-briefs-557589.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  18. Book: Federal Securities Law Reporter: Federal Regulation of Securities : Laws, Regulations, Forms, Rulings and Decisions Currently Supplemented and Indexed . 1940 . . 351 . June 29, 2019 . January 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210124155032/https://books.google.com/books?id=4aw-AQAAIAAJ . live .
  19. Book: Merger Yearbook: Domestic . . 1991 . 327.
  20. Web site: BUSINESS PEOPLE; New President Named At Software Toolworks . Daniel F. . Cuff . April 13, 1990 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222248/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/13/business/business-people-new-president-named-at-software-toolworks.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  21. Software Toolworks Acquires Mindscape . . 67 . January 1990 . 64 . November 16, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203015848/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1990&pub=2&id=67 . December 3, 2013 . live .
  22. Web site: Mutual Funds; When Small Is Beautiful . Carole . Gould . July 1, 1990 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222249/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/01/business/mutual-funds-when-small-is-beautiful.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  23. Web site: Pearson Enters Multimedia Software Arena . Steve . Lohr . April 1, 1994 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222253/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/01/business/pearson-enters-multimedia-software-arena.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  24. Web site: Pearson Completes Deal . Bloomberg News . May 13, 1994 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222252/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/13/business/pearson-completes-deal.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  25. Web site: SIMON & SCHUSTER IN SALE TO BRITISH . Geraldine . Fabrikant . Allen R. . Myerson . May 18, 1998 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222253/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/18/business/simon-schuster-in-sale-to-british.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  26. Web site: INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS;Pearson Says Mindscape Will Have Loss in 1996 . May 4, 1996 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222252/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/04/business/international-briefs-pearson-says-mindscape-will-have-loss-in-1996.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  27. TOP OF MIND . . 106 . 46 . . November 12, 1994 . 90 . August 20, 2017 . January 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210124155034/https://books.google.com/books?id=aAgEAAAAMBAJ . live .
  28. Web site: Strategic Simulations, Inc. founder donates company collection to ICHEG . Christian . Nutt . December 16, 2013 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190627071406/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/207137/Strategic_Simulations_Inc_founder_donates_company_collection_to_ICHEG.php . June 27, 2019 . live .
  29. Web site: COMPANY BRIEFS . September 8, 1995 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222256/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/08/business/company-briefs-964695.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  30. Web site: Western Publishing CEO leaves: John F. Moore,... . January 26, 1996 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222250/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-01-26-9601270168-story.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  31. Layoffs Hit Mindscape . . 101 . . February 1997 . 26–27.
  32. Web site: Tech firm is taking new product to market for free . Fred . Tannenbaum . August 20, 2007 . . June 29, 2019 . January 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210124155008/https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2007/08/20/story15.html . live .
  33. Web site: Pearson Sells Mindscape, Taking Big Loss . Tom . Buerkle . March 7, 1998 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222255/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/07/business/worldbusiness/IHT-pearson-sells-mindscape-taking-big-loss.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  34. News: Lego Island studio Mindscape fired staff to avoid paying bonuses . Eurogamer.net . January 4, 2021 .
  35. Web site: COMPANY NEWS; LEARNING COMPANY SETS DEAL FOR MINDSCAPE . Dow Jones . March 7, 1998 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222248/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/07/business/company-news-learning-company-sets-deal-for-mindscape.html . June 26, 2019 . live .
  36. Web site: The Learning Co. moves forward with Mindscape buy . March 25, 1998 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020928140938/http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/1998/03/23/daily5.html . September 28, 2002 . live .
  37. Web site: Pearson loses Mindscape . March 6, 1998 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222248/https://money.cnn.com/1998/03/06/deals/mindscape/ . June 26, 2019 . live .
  38. Web site: Learning Co. cuts 500 jobs . September 11, 1998 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222246/https://money.cnn.com/1998/09/11/technology/broderbund/ . June 26, 2019 . live .
  39. Web site: Learning Co. to acquire PF.Magic . 2023-09-02 . CNET . en.
  40. Web site: Mattel/The Learning Co. In $3.8B merger . . July 31, 2020 . August 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200811202706/https://www.zdnet.com/article/mattelthe-learning-co-in-3-8b-merger/ . live .
  41. Web site: Games watch . Jack . Schofield . January 18, 2001 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190628161957/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2001/jan/18/onlinesupplement4 . June 28, 2019 . live .
  42. Web site: Mindscape ou l'objet intelligent à votre service . fr . Mindscape or the smart object at your service . October 2010 . . November 1, 2019 . November 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191101095129/http://www.boulognebillancourt.fr/cms/images/pdf/BBI/2010/octobre/entreprendre.pdf . live .
  43. Web site: VU Games cède Coktel à Mindscape . fr . VU Games sells Coktel to Mindscape . Poischich . 21 October 2005 . . 22 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180722125622/https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/vu-games-cede-coktel-a-mindscape-44419.html . 22 July 2018 . live .
  44. From the Archives: Coktel Vision . David . Crookes . 28 December 2018 . . 189 . . 44–47.
  45. Web site: Mindscape opens new digital studio Punchers Impact . Matt . Martin . December 1, 2009 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222251/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mindscape-opens-new-digital-studio-punchers-impact . June 26, 2019 . live .
  46. Web site: Punchers Impact bosses found new studio . Dan . Pearson . September 17, 2010 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190629090953/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2010-09-17-punchers-impact-bosses-found-new-studio . June 29, 2019 . live .
  47. Web site: Publisher Mindscape exits industry, 40 jobs lost . Rachel . Weber . August 11, 2011 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222248/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-08-11-mindscape-exits-games-40-jobs-lost . June 26, 2019 . live .
  48. Web site: Publisher Mindscape moving out of game sector, 40 jobs reported lost . Stephany . Nunneley . August 10, 2011 . . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626222250/https://www.vg247.com/2011/08/10/publisher-mindscape-moving-out-of-game-sector-40-jobs-reported-lost/ . June 26, 2019 . live .
  49. Web site: 40 jobs gone as Mindscape quits games . MCV Staff . August 10, 2011 . . June 29, 2019 . January 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210124155012/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/40-jobs-gone-as-mindscape-quits-games/ . live .
  50. Web site: Mindscape Asia-Pacific unaffected by French withdrawal from games . MCV Staff . August 12, 2011 . . June 29, 2019 . January 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210124155012/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/mindscape-asia-pacific-unaffected-by-french-withdrawal-from-games/ . live .
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  54. Web site: Presage Products - Contraption Zack. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614014743/http://www.presage.com/pCZack.html. presage.com. June 14, 1997. February 2, 2024.
  55. Darth Vader vs. The Terminator . Jay . Kee . . 116 . March 1994 . 90–94 . November 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171110115305/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=116 . November 10, 2017 . live .
  56. CyberSpeed . . 18 . June 1996 . . 122.

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