Zipper Interactive Explained

Zipper Interactive
Type:Subsidiary
Foundation:1995
Defunct:2012
Fate:Closed
Location:Redmond, Washington, United States
Industry:Video games
Products:MechWarrior 3
Crimson Skies
SOCOM series
MAG
Parent:SCE Worldwide Studios
(2006–2012)

Zipper Interactive was an American video game developer based in Redmond, Washington and part of SCE Worldwide Studios. It was founded in June 1995 by Jim Bosler and Brian Soderberg.[1] It created many different games, including the SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs series of games. SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs was created in collaboration with the Naval Special Warfare Command and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. On January 25, 2006, Sony announced that it had acquired Zipper Interactive to add it to its group of development studios.[2]

Games

Game titleYear releasedPlatform
DeathDrome1996Microsoft Windows
1998Microsoft Windows
Recoil1999Microsoft Windows
MechWarrior 31999Microsoft Windows
MechWarrior 3: Pirate's Moon1999Microsoft Windows
Crimson Skies2000Microsoft Windows
SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs2002PlayStation 2
SOCOM II U.S. Navy SEALs2003PlayStation 2
SOCOM 3 U.S. Navy SEALs2005PlayStation 2
2005PlayStation Portable
2006PlayStation 2
2006PlayStation Portable
MAG2010PlayStation 3
SOCOM 4 U.S. Navy SEALs2011PlayStation 3
Unit 132012PlayStation Vita

Closure

On March 29, 2012, Sony announced that it would be closing Zipper Interactive due to "resource re-alignment." The closure of Zipper Interactive was later confirmed by Sony Computer Entertainment the next day on March 30, 2012.[3] [4] Prior to its closure, Zipper Interactive were working on two unannounced titles for the PlayStation 4 before both projects were cancelled once the closing was complete. One was another entry in the SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs series, and the other was a first-person shooter meant to be a new IP.

Notes and References

  1. Sherman . Chris . NATO's Got Zip on these Guys . Next Generation. 18. Imagine Media. June 1996. 22.
  2. Web site: Sony Announces further developer acquisitions. GamesIndustry. January 25, 2006. January 25, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210458/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14265. 2007-09-27. dead.
  3. Web site: March 30, 2012. Sony quiet on SOCOM dev closure rumour. Eurogamer. February 18, 2013.
  4. March 30, 2012. Sony Closes Zipper Interactive. Game Informer. https://web.archive.org/web/20120401164324/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/03/30/sony-closes-zipper-interactive.aspx. dead. April 1, 2012. February 18, 2013.