Splatterhouse dev closes down

By Games Industry.biz Published 4 September, 2009

BottleRocket's fight for survival is over.

Founder Jay Beard has announced that BottleRocket Entertainment is no more, following a six-month fight for survival a bit like a starving bear.

It all started when Namco Bandai pulled the developer off Splatterhouse, a gory PS3 and Xbox 360 remake of the old '80s arcade game. BottleRocket, however, contested that all milestones were reached and that bad management on the publisher's side was to blame.

Following that rift, several members left to continue working on the game for Namco Bandai, while BottleRocket was believed to ink a deal with Brash Entertainment - which subsequently went bust itself.

In an email to friends, sent to GamesIndustry.biz, Beard wrote of his disappointment, but noted he was currently building a new studio "from the ground up".

"It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the closure of BottleRocket," he wrote. "After fighting to keep the doors open for the past six months we have decided to close and move on.

"BottleRocket was in business for seven years and I feel that we developed a sound reputation for quality and creativity. I was once told that we 'zigged while others zagged,' and I like to think that we shall be remembered this way.

"We had the opportunity to meet and work with many talented and passionate individuals along the way, and I want to take the opportunity to thank you all for everything that you did for BottleRocket. Seven years wasn't long enough for our plans to bear fruit; but it was a decent run.

"I am now in the process of building a new development studio from the ground up and look forward to us crossing paths once more."

The company also developed the Rise of the Kasai and Xiaolin Showdown titles, with many of its employees originating from Sony San Diego, having worked on The Mark of Kri.

Picture of Games.

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Comments (9) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #1 2 years ago

    I was once told that we 'zigged while others zagged,' and I like to think that we shall be remembered this way

    I think I'd prefer to be remembered for something other than a meaningless cliche.

  • JayScott #2 2 years ago

    Good on you. Bloke loses his company, not necessarily through things under his control, offers an explanation that possibly saves him a bit of grief through lack of detail and you piss on it with that pithy, bullshit response. Good on you.
    Edited by 2 at 04/09/09 @ 13:01

  • ScrewYouHippy #3 2 years ago

    It's the internet, get over it...

  • Pulsar_t #4 2 years ago

    Seventh gen has ravaged so many developer houses.

  • Slipstream #5 2 years ago

    As always, it is a sad state of affairs when any business has to close its doors, I wish the staff the very best for their future and I pray that their talent can be of service in other studios, if such is their destination.

  • HermitArcader #6 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • RobotRocker #7 2 years ago

    Namco Bandai pulling Splatterhouse from them at such short notice (That they actually showed up with a trailer and a court order and took the dev kits) was an unholy dick move since it never afforded them the chance to re-group and prepare financially.

    I wonder how many scumbag developer moves are responsible for killing studios this generation?

  • jonsaan #8 2 years ago

    Splatterhouse was rubbish though. Why remake it? Talk about signing your own death warrant.

  • mukki #9 2 years ago

    well sad news...
    and I was kinda looking forward to splatter house (one of my childhood all time favorite after demon attack that is) even thought to be honest I wasn't too impressed by the trailers.

    best of luck in future endeavors