Amaze Entertainment, formerly KnowWonder, was an American video game developer based in Kirkland, Washington that operated from 1996 to 2009. Initially a developer of children's edutainment titles, they went on to develop video games for several high-profile properties, including Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Sims, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Pirates of the Caribbean. During its lifespan, it was one of North America's largest independent video game developers. It was acquired by Foundation 9 Entertainment in 2006, and in 2009 was merged with its former subsidiary Griptonite Games.
History KnowWonder (1996–2001) Amaze Entertainment, as KnowWonder, was founded by Dan Elenbaas in 1996 in Kirkland, Washington. The company established itself as a developer of children's edutainment games with its self-published 1997 title The Totally Techie World of Young Dilbert, which was created to help children learn how to use computers. However, at the time of the game's release, a price war between Hasbro Interactive, Mattel Interactive and The Learning Company lowered the prices of their offerings, leaving Young Dilbert unable to compete.
Elenbaas then decided to begin developing for larger publishers, and entered a deal with Microsoft to develop titles based on The Magic School Bus. The first of these titles, The Magic School Bus Explores the World of Animals, was released on April 29, 1999, and KnowWonder would develop a total of seven Magic School Bus titles up to 2001. On May 2, KnowWonder announced that it had signed deals with Microsoft and Mattel to develop products for various digital platforms. On November 1, KnowWonder announced its acquisition of the Seattle division of Realtime Associates.
On January 3, 2000, KnowWonder began production on its first project for the upcoming Xbox console, announcing its development to coincide with the console's unveiling on March 10. To accommodate its growth, KnowWonder moved to a 35,000 square foot facility in February 2000; the office was a few miles away from Microsoft and Nintendo of America. The company's Xbox title, Azurik: Rise of Perathia, was released on November 20, 2001. On November 16, KnowWonder released three video games based on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to coincide with the film's American premiere.
Amaze Entertainment (2002–2009) At the turn of 2001/02, the company was renamed Amaze Entertainment, while the branch responsible for personal computer titles retained the KnowWonder name. On March 12, 2002, Amaze Entertainment acquired Austin, Texas-based developer The Fizz Factor, which was formed from former Human Code employees. In 2003, the KnowWonder studio won the Stevie Award for Best Creative Team in the inaugural American Business Awards. By this time, the company was one of North America's largest independent video game developers, employing around 200 people. In September 2003, it was named the second fastest-growing technology company in Washington by accounting firm Deloitte & Touche.
Starting 2005, each production of the company (and its subordinate studios) would be signed under the Amaze Entertainment banner. In November 2006, the company was acquired by Foundation 9 Entertainment (F9E). On July 21, 2008, F9E announced that the Amaze Entertainment brand would be split to promote the autonomy of its three studios, with the original Kirkland studio retaining the Amaze Entertainment name. At the time, Amaze Entertainment employed over 250 people. In July 2009, F9E announced that, due to a slowdown in the video game industry, it would be closing The Fizz Factor and merging Amaze Entertainment and Griptonite Games. As stated by the company, these measures were aimed to align the company's production capacity with concurrent market conditions and maintain profitability and service quality for its partners and employees.
Divisions KnowWonder – After the parent company was renamed Amaze Entertainment, the division responsible for PC productions of popular brands retained the name. The division was headed by Lindsay Gupton. The brand was discontinued in 2005. Griptonite Games (formerly Realtime Associates Seattle) – Founded by Steve Ettinger in 1994 and acquired in November 1999 by KnowWonder, this division was responsible for productions and ports for Nintendo handheld consoles. The division was headed by Steven Ettinger, and was sold in August 2011 to Glu Mobile. Adrenium Games – Founded in December 1999 in Kirkland, this division was responsible for next-gen productions, i.e. for new-generation consoles. The division was headed by Michael Waite. The brand was discontinued in 2005. The Fizz Factor – An Austin, Texas-based studio that was formed from former Human Code employees and acquired on March 12, 2002. The division was headed by Rodney Gibbs and employed approximately 50 people. It closed in July 2009. Black Ship Games – A division established in April 2003 specifically for the Asian market that was headed by Scott K. Tsumura and was dissolved in 2005 after releasing its sole title, Digimon Rumble Arena 2. Amaze Entertainment – The division took over from KnowWonder and Adrenium Games in 2005, expanding its portfolio to include titles for the PlayStation Portable. Until 2006, Lindsay Gupton was the studio's CEO, and after him, Michael Waite took over. In July 2009, it was consolidated with Griptonite Games.
Games developed As KnowWonder Year Title Platform(s) Studio Publisher(s) Notes 1997 The Totally Techie World of Young Dilbert Microsoft Windows, Mac OS KnowWonder KnowWonder 1999 The Magic School Bus Explores the World of Animals Microsoft Easy-Bake Kitchen Microsoft Windows Hasbro Interactive My Interactive Notebook Microsoft Windows, Mac OS The Learning Company 2000 The Magic School Bus Explores the World of Bugs Microsoft Windows, Mac OS KnowWonder Microsoft Heroes of Might and Magic Game Boy Color Realtime Associates Seattle The 3DO Company Published under the KnowWonder banner Totally Angelica Boredom Buster Microsoft Windows, Mac OS KnowWonder Mattel Interactive The Magic School Bus in Concert Microsoft The Magic School Bus Lands on Mars Rugrats in Paris: The Movie Microsoft Windows Mattel Interactive HotWheels Slot Car Racing Wild Thornberrys Animal Adventures PlayStation Heroes of Might and Magic II Game Boy Color Realtime Associates Seattle The 3DO Company Published under the KnowWonder banner 2001 The Magic School Bus: Whales & Dolphins Microsoft Windows, Mac OS KnowWonder Microsoft The Magic School Bus Discovers Flight The Magic School Bus: Volcano Adventure Power Rangers Time Force Microsoft Windows THQ Cluefinders: The Incredible Toy Story Microsoft Windows, Mac OS The Learning Company Williams F1 Team Driver Microsoft Windows THQ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Microsoft Windows, Mac OS KnowWonder Electronic Arts Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Game Boy Color Azurik: Rise of Perathia Xbox Adrenium Games Microsoft Game Studios
As Amaze Entertainment Year Title Platform(s) Studio Publisher(s) Notes 2002 Rugrats Munchin Land Microsoft Windows KnowWonder THQ Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron - Forever Free The Fizz Factor The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games Electronic ArtsHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Microsoft Windows KnowWonder Game Boy Color Griptonite Games2003 Daredevil Game Boy Advance Encore Software, THQ Finding Nemo Microsoft Windows, Mac OS KnowWonder THQ Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun The Hobbit Microsoft Windows The Fizz Factor Sierra Entertainment Disney's Brother Bear KnowWonder Disney InteractiveThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games EA GamesJames Bond 007: Everything or NothingThe Sims Bustin' Out 2004 Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox Adrenium Games SegaDigimon Racing Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games Bandai Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Microsoft Windows KnowWonder Electronic Arts Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games Spider-Man 2 Microsoft Windows The Fizz Factor Activision Digimon Rumble Arena 2 PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox Black Ship Games Bandai Crushed Baseball Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games Summitsoft Entertainment Shark Tale Microsoft Windows KnowWonder Activision The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games Electronic Arts Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox Adrenium Games Activision Microsoft Windows KnowWonder Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games The Urbz: Sims in the City Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS Electronic Arts 2005 The Lord of the Rings: Tactics PlayStation Portable Adrenium Games Lego Star Wars: The Video Game Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games Eidos Interactive Robots Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance Vivendi Games Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Plug and play Jakks Pacific The Sims 2 Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Portable Electronic Arts Published under the Amaze Entertainment banner The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Game Boy Advance Buena Vista Games Shrek SuperSlam Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance Activision Spyro: Shadow Legacy Nintendo DS The Fizz Factor Vivendi Games 2006 Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy Game Boy Advance, plug and play, Nintendo DS Griptonite Games LucasArts, Jakks Pacific Ice Age 2: The Meltdown Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance Vivendi Games Marvel X-Men (X-Men: Mutant Reign) Plug and play Jakks Pacific Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance Buena Vista Games PlayStation Portable Amaze Entertainment Eragon Vivendi Games Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games Published under the Amaze Entertainment banner Over the Hedge: Hammy Goes Nuts! PlayStation Portable Amaze Entertainment Activision Nintendo DS The Fizz Factor Published under the Amaze Entertainment banner X-Men: The Official Game The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Vivendi Games Bionicle Heroes Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance Griptonite Games Eidos Interactive 2007 Call of Duty: Roads to Victory PlayStation Portable Amaze Entertainment Activision Shrek the Third WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 Nintendo DS The Fizz Factor THQ Published under the Amaze Entertainment banner Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Griptonite Games Disney Interactive Studios Disney Friends Crash of the Titans Nintendo DS Vivendi Games The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance The Simpsons Game Nintendo DS Electronic Arts 2008 Spider-Man: Web of Shadows Activision Spider-Man: Web of Shadows - Amazing Allies Edition PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable Amaze EntertainmentThe Incredible Hulk Nintendo DS The Fizz Factor Sega The Tale of Despereaux Brash Entertainment Looney Tunes: Cartoon Conductor Griptonite Games Eidos Interactive Chimps Ahoy! IPhone, IPod touch Griptonite GamesSuper Breakout Atari SAMissile CommandCentipede High School Musical 3: Senior Year Nintendo DS Disney Interactive Studios Spore Creatures Electronic Arts Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir Nintendo Co-production with Big Fish Games Ben Stein: It's Trivial iPhone, iPod Touch Foundation 9 Entertainment Age of Empires: Mythologies Nintendo DS THQ Chimps Ahoy! Spooked! iPhone, iPod Touch Foundation 9 Entertainment Neopets Puzzle Adventure Nintendo DS Capcom Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Activision 2009 Monsters vs. Aliens X-Men Origins: Wolverine PlayStation 2, Wii Amaze Entertainment Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings PlayStation Portable LucasArts Reiner Knizia's Poison iOS, iPod touchGriptonite Games Griptonite Games Atari Football iOS Atari SA SpongeBob vs. The Big One: Beach Party Cook-Off Nintendo DS The Fizz Factor THQ Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Majesco Charm Girls Club: My Perfect Prom Electronic Arts
References