Underground Development Explained

Underground Development, Ltd.
Former Name:Z-Axis, Ltd.
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Video games
Fate:Dissolved
Founded: in San Mateo, California, US
Founder:David Luntz
Hq Location City:Foster City, California
Hq Location Country:US
Num Employees:<45
Num Employees Year:2008

Underground Development, Ltd. (formerly Z-Axis, Ltd.) was an American video game developer based in Foster City, California. The company was founded in 1994 by David Luntz and sold to Activision in May 2002. Following a rebranding to Underground Development in February 2008, the company was closed in February 2010.

History

Z-Axis was founded by David Luntz in 1994,[1] originally located in San Mateo, California.[2] On May 22, 2002, Activision announced that they had acquired Z-Axis in exchange for a payment of in cash and stock, and up to 93,446 additional shares in Activision linked to the studio's performance.[3] [4] At the time, the studio was located in Hayward, California. In February 2008, Z-Axis was rebranded as Underground Development.[5] [6]

Activision reported in April 2008 that they were closing Underground Development, which had the time had under 45 employees in a Foster City, California office, at the end of the coming May.[7] [8] [9] The studio was fully closed on February 12, 2010.[10] [11]

Games developed as Z-Axis

YearTitlePlatform(s)
1996Madden NFL '96Sega Genesis
1998Fox Sports College Hoops '99Nintendo 64
1999Alexi Lalas International SoccerPlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Color
Space InvadersPlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64
Thrasher Presents Skate and DestroyPlayStation
2000PlayStation
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMXPlayStation, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows
2001PlayStation
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Xbox
2002Aggressive InlinePlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Xbox
BMX XXXPlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox
2006PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360

Games developed as Underground Development

YearTitlePlatform(s)
2009PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
CancelledCall of Duty: Devil's Brigade[12] Xbox 360

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Q&A: Nunchuck Games' Luntz On Testing His Ninja Reflex . Christian . Nutt . gamasutra.com . January 4, 2008 . August 11, 2018.
  2. Web site: Z-Axis Dunks High . IGN Staff . February 18, 1998 . ign.com . August 11, 2018.
  3. Web site: Activision Acquires Dave Mirra Developer, Z-Axis . gamasutra.com . May 22, 2002 . August 11, 2018.
  4. Web site: Activision goes straight up . June 3, 2002. eurogamer.net . August 11, 2018.
  5. Web site: Z-Axis renamed to Underground Development - VG247 . February 14, 2008 . vg247.com . August 11, 2018.
  6. Activision rebrands one of its internal studios . mcvuk.com . February 18, 2008 . August 11, 2018.
  7. Web site: Activision confirms Underground closure . gamesindustry.biz . April 19, 2008 . August 11, 2018.
  8. Activision closing Underground Developments? . mcvuk.com . April 18, 2008 . August 11, 2018.
  9. Web site: Activision closes Underground Development studio . engadget.com . April 21, 2008 . August 11, 2018.
  10. Web site: Activision Shutters Guitar Hero Creators, GH: Van Halen Developers [Update] ]. Luke . Plunkett . kotaku.com . February 12, 2010 . August 11, 2018.
  11. Web site: Activision shuts down RedOctane, Underground Development . engadget.com . February 13, 2010 . August 11, 2018.
  12. Web site: What Was Call of Duty: Devil's Brigade?. May 14, 2010 .

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