TopWare Interactive: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|German video game publisher}} |
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{{Distinguish|Tripwire Interactive}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} |
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{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company |
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| name |
| name = TopWare Interactive – AC Enterprises e.K. |
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| logo = |
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| logo = [[Image:TopWare Interactive Logo.jpg]] |
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| type = [[Privately held company|Private]] |
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| type = Division or Subsidiary of AC Enterprises eK |
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⚫ | |||
| defunct = 2016 |
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| founded = {{Start date and age|1996}} |
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| fate = Bankruptcy |
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| key_people = |
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| hq_location_country = Germany |
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| parent = {{Unbulleted list|TopWare CD-Service AG (1996–2001)|Zuxxez Entertainment (2001–2016)}} |
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| products = |
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| divisions = [[#Reality Pump Studios|Reality Pump Studios]] |
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| revenue = |
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| products = ''[[Earth 2140|Earth]]'' series<br />''[[Two Worlds (video game)|Two Worlds]]'' series<br />''[[Raven's Cry (video game)|Raven's Cry]]'' |
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| operating_income = |
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| website = {{URL|https://www.topware.com/|topware.com}} |
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| net_income = |
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| num_employees = 150 |
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| homepage = http://www.topware.com/ |
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| foundation = 1995 |
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⚫ | |||
| location_country = [[Germany]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''TopWare Interactive''' |
'''TopWare Interactive – AC Enterprises e.K.''' is a German [[video game publisher]] based in [[Karlsruhe]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.topware.com/en/company.html |title=Company Profile |access-date=14 March 2013 |author=TopWare Interactive |publisher=TopWare Interactive |archive-date=8 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908043145/http://www.topware.com/en/company.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The company is best known for publishing the ''[[Two Worlds (video game)|Two Worlds]]'' series developed by its [[#Reality Pump Studios|Reality Pump Studios]] division. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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TopWare Interactive was started in 1995 as a video game publishing [[subsidiary]] of ''TopWare CD Service AG'' based in [[Mannheim]], |
TopWare Interactive was started in 1995 as a video game publishing [[subsidiary]] of ''TopWare CD Service AG'' based in [[Mannheim]], Germany, which included two inhouse [[video game developer|development studios]] (ToonTRAXX and TopWare Programy), which was later renamed to Reality Pump Studios based in Poland. In February 2001, TopWare CD Service AG filed for bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.golem.de/0102/12123.html |title=TopWare stellt Insolvenzantrag |access-date=1 October 2008 |author=Golem.de |date=5 February 2001 |publisher=Klaß & Ihlenfeld Verlag GmbH |language=de |archive-date=6 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306202047/http://www.golem.de/0102/12123.html |url-status=live }}</ref> All rights, including both development studios, were acquired by Zuxxez Entertainment AG. |
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The company was resurrected by |
The company was resurrected by Zuxxez in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.golem.de/0504/37723.html |title=Topware Interactive startet neu - in den USA |access-date=1 October 2008 |author=Golem.de |date=26 April 2005 |publisher=Klaß & Ihlenfeld Verlag GmbH |language=de |archive-date=23 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223145138/http://www.golem.de/0504/37723.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, Zuxxez officially changed its name back to TopWare Interactive, thus completely abandoning the Zuxxez brand. TopWare Interactive AG's American company, TopWare Interactive Inc., revealed that it was developing ''Battle vs. Chess'' to be published by SouthPeak Games. Interplay Entertainment sued and won an injunction to stop sales in the United States. In February 2012, Interplay won the case by default and a settlement was agreed on 15 November 2012. Terms of the settlement were $200,000 plus interest.<ref>Matt Pooled, [http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2013/2/11/interplay-wins-in-the-battle-chess-saga-against-topware-and-southpeak.aspx "Interplay Wins in the Battle Chess Saga against Topware and SouthPeak"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403184219/http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2013/2/11/interplay-wins-in-the-battle-chess-saga-against-topware-and-southpeak.aspx |date=3 April 2014 }}, ''Bright Side of News'', 2 November 2013</ref> |
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TopWare Interactive / Zuxxez Entertainment filed for bankruptcy again on |
TopWare Interactive / Zuxxez Entertainment filed for bankruptcy again on 1 February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 February 2016|title=TopWare Interactive - Deutscher Publisher meldet Insolvenz an|url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/topware-interactive-deutscher-publisher-meldet-insolvenz-an,3267337.html|access-date=2 August 2020|website=www.gamestar.de|language=de|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424154530/https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/topware-interactive-deutscher-publisher-meldet-insolvenz-an,3267337.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While the company has not released any official comment on the subject yet, the insolvency has already been registered in the European Insolvency Register.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Insolvency Registers|url=https://e-justice.europa.eu/iri/integrated//index.html;IRI_SESSIONID=CbOuKIFJfzkcRGMbP-2cXjZxpIu46C_fvo8HvPSnHiyzBibjSNIV!343027238?error=searchExpired|access-date=2 August 2020|website=e-justice.europa.eu|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424153028/https://e-justice.europa.eu/iri/integrated//index.html;IRI_SESSIONID=CbOuKIFJfzkcRGMbP-2cXjZxpIu46C_fvo8HvPSnHiyzBibjSNIV!343027238?error=searchExpired|url-status=live}}</ref> The filing for bankruptcy comes just a few days after the pulling of ''Vendetta: Curse of Raven's Cry'' (the last game published by TopWare Interactive, a re-release of ''[[Raven's Cry]]'') from Steam. Nevertheless, TopWare quietly released the game again later. |
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However on |
However, on 26 March 2016, TopWare announced it has begun development of ''Two Worlds 3'' which was set to be released in 2020.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Dransfield|first=Ian|date=28 March 2016|title=Two Worlds 3 in development, Two Worlds 2 comes to Linux/SteamOS|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/two-worlds-3-in-development-two-worlds-2-comes-to-linuxsteamos/|access-date=2 August 2020|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US}}</ref> However, no further information since that announcement has been made. |
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==Reality Pump Studios== |
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Reality Pump Studios was founded as an in-house developer for TopWare Interactive in [[Bielsko-Biała]], Poland, in 1995. Their first successful title was ''[[Earth 2140]]''. In 2001, they formed a partnership with [[Zuxxez Entertainment]] AG and officially took the name 'Reality Pump - Game Development Studios'. They moved their headquarters to Kraków. |
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In 2015 the company went bankrupt and was acquired by TopWare Interactive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamepressure.com/newsroom/reality-pump-studio-behind-two-worlds-ii-goes-bankrupt-and-shuts/z82f|title=Reality Pump, Studio Behind Two Worlds II, Goes Bankrupt and Shuts Down|website=Gamepressure.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-24|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723170224/https://www.gamepressure.com/newsroom/reality-pump-studio-behind-two-worlds-ii-goes-bankrupt-and-shuts/z82f|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Published titles== |
==Published titles== |
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=== Premium === |
=== Premium === |
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* |
* 1996: ''[[Realms of Arkania: Shadows over Riva|Das Schwarze Auge: Schatten über Riva]]'' — [[MS-DOS]] |
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* 1997 |
* 1997: ''[[Jack Orlando]]'' — PC |
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* |
* 1997: ''[[Earth 2140]]'' — PC |
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* [[ |
* 1998: ''[[Emergency (video game)|Emergency]]'' |
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* 1998 |
* 1998: ''[[Knights and Merchants: The Shattered Kingdom]]'' |
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* 1999: ''Excessive Speed'' |
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* 1998 — ''[[Earth 2150|Earth 2150: Escape from the Blue Planet]]'' |
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* 1999 |
* 1999: ''[[Gorky 17]]'' |
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* 1999 |
* 1999: ''[[Jagged Alliance 2]]'' |
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* 1999 |
* 1999: ''[[Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator]]'' |
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* |
* 2000: ''[[Earth 2150|Earth 2150: Escape from the Blue Planet]]'' |
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* |
* 2000: ''[[Earth 2150: The Moon Project]]'' |
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* 2001 |
* 2001: ''[[Earth 2150: Lost Souls]]'' |
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* |
* 2001: ''[[World War III: Black Gold]]'' |
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* 2002: ''[[Enclave (video game)|Enclave]]'' |
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* 2001 — ''Chicken Shoot'' |
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* |
* 2001: ''Chicken Shoot 1'' |
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* 2002: ''[[Knights and Merchants: The Peasants Rebellion]]'' |
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* 2002 |
* 2002: ''Heli Heroes'' |
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* 2002 |
* 2002: ''World War II: Panzer Claws'' |
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* |
* 2003: ''Chicken Shoot 2'' |
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* 2003 |
* 2003: ''[[KnightShift]]'' |
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* |
* 2004: ''[[Jagged Alliance 2: Wildfire]]'' |
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* 2004 |
* 2004: ''[[I of the Dragon]]'' |
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* |
* 2005: ''[[Earth 2160]]'' — PC |
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* |
* 2006: ''[[Dream Pinball 3D]]'' — PC |
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* |
* 2007: ''[[Two Worlds (video game)|Two Worlds]]'' — PC, [[Xbox 360]] |
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* |
* 2009: ''[[X-Blades]]'' — PC, Xbox 360, [[PlayStation 3]] |
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* |
* 2010: ''[[Two Worlds II]]'' — PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
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* |
* 2011: ''Two Worlds 2: Pirates of the Flying Fortress'' — PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
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* 2011 |
* 2011: ''[[Battle vs Chess]]'' aka ''Check vs. Mate'' — PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii |
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* |
* 2012: ''Planets under Attack'' — PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
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* 2012 |
* 2012: ''Iron Sky: Invasion'' — PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
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* 2014 — ''[[Scivelation]]'' — PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4<ref>http://www.topware.com/en/scivelation.html</ref> |
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* 2016: ''Two Worlds 2: Call of the Tenebrae'' |
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* 2014 — ''[[Sacrilegium (video game)|Sacrilegium]]'' — PC, [[Mac OS X]], Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, [[Wii U]]<ref>http://www.trueachievements.com/n14529/sacrilegium-resurfaces-with-a-trailer.htm</ref> |
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* 2017: ''Two Worlds 2: Shadows of the Dark Past'' |
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* 2018: ''Two Worlds 2: Shadows of the Dark Past 2'' |
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* 2019: ''Two Worlds 2: Shattered Embrace'' |
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*TBA: ''[[Scivelation]]'' — PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scivelation|url=https://www.topware.com/en/scivelation.html|access-date=2 August 2020|website=TopWare Interactive AG|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019221823/https://www.topware.com/en/scivelation.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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*TBA: ''[[Two Worlds 3]]'' |
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===Value=== |
===Value=== |
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* [[Dream Pinball 3D]] |
* ''[[Dream Pinball 3D]]'' |
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* Burn |
* ''Burn'' |
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* BoG Arcade |
* ''BoG Arcade'' |
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* BoG Role Playing |
* ''BoG Role Playing'' |
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* BoG Strategy |
* ''BoG Strategy'' |
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* WWIII: Black Gold |
* ''WWIII: Black Gold'' |
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* World War II: Panzer Claws II |
* ''World War II: Panzer Claws II'' |
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* Kings of Dark Age |
* ''Kings of Dark Age'' |
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* [[Septerra Core]] |
* ''[[Septerra Core]]'' |
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* [[ |
* ''[[Gorky 17]]'' |
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⚫ | |||
* [[Gorky 17]] |
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* ''[[Knights & Merchants]]'' |
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* [[ |
* ''[[Earth 2140]]'' |
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* [[Earth |
* ''[[Earth 2150]]'' |
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* [[Earth |
* ''[[Earth 2160]]'' |
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⚫ | |||
* [[Earth 2160]] |
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* [[Realms of Arkania: |
* ''[[Realms of Arkania: Star Trail|Das Schwarze Auge: Sternenschweif]]'' (1997 re-release) |
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* [[Realms of Arkania: |
* ''[[Realms of Arkania: Shadows over Riva|Das Schwarze Auge: Schatten über Riva]]'' (1997 re-release) |
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⚫ | |||
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* ''[[Jack Orlando]]'' |
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⚫ | |||
* [[ |
* ''[[X-Blades]]'' |
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* ''Transcripted''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Torrent versions & cancelled keys. Why we did and said some things you might find shocking :: Transcripted General Discussions|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/215450/discussions/0/350540973991623520/|access-date=2 August 2020|website=steamcommunity.com|language=en|archive-date=3 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003124327/https://steamcommunity.com/app/215450/discussions/0/350540973991623520/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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* [[X-Blades]] |
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* ''Gold Games'' compilation series |
* ''Gold Games'' compilation series |
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===Cancelled=== |
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* 2014: ''Sacrilegium'' — PC, [[Mac OS X]], Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, [[Wii U]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sacrilegium Resurfaces with a Trailer|url=https://www.trueachievements.com/n14529/sacrilegium-resurfaces-with-a-trailer|access-date=2 August 2020|website=TrueAchievements|language=en|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424153027/https://www.trueachievements.com/n14529/sacrilegium-resurfaces-with-a-trailer|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* |
*{{Official website|http://www.topware.com/us/index.html}} |
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*[http://www.mobygames.com/company/topware-interactive TopWare Interactive] at [[MobyGames]] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Topware Interactive}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Topware Interactive}} |
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[[Category:Companies based in |
[[Category:Companies based in Karlsruhe]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:German companies established in 1995]] |
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[[Category:Companies disestablished in 2016]] |
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[[Category:Video game companies of Germany]] |
[[Category:Video game companies of Germany]] |
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[[Category:Video game publishers]] |
[[Category:Video game publishers]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2016]] |
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[[Category:2016 disestablishments in Germany]] |
Latest revision as of 10:39, 3 June 2024
Company type | Private |
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Industry | Video games |
Founded | 1996 |
Headquarters | , Germany |
Products | Earth series Two Worlds series Raven's Cry |
Parent |
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Divisions | Reality Pump Studios |
Website | topware.com |
TopWare Interactive – AC Enterprises e.K. is a German video game publisher based in Karlsruhe.[1] The company is best known for publishing the Two Worlds series developed by its Reality Pump Studios division.
History
[edit]TopWare Interactive was started in 1995 as a video game publishing subsidiary of TopWare CD Service AG based in Mannheim, Germany, which included two inhouse development studios (ToonTRAXX and TopWare Programy), which was later renamed to Reality Pump Studios based in Poland. In February 2001, TopWare CD Service AG filed for bankruptcy.[2] All rights, including both development studios, were acquired by Zuxxez Entertainment AG.
The company was resurrected by Zuxxez in 2005.[3] In 2011, Zuxxez officially changed its name back to TopWare Interactive, thus completely abandoning the Zuxxez brand. TopWare Interactive AG's American company, TopWare Interactive Inc., revealed that it was developing Battle vs. Chess to be published by SouthPeak Games. Interplay Entertainment sued and won an injunction to stop sales in the United States. In February 2012, Interplay won the case by default and a settlement was agreed on 15 November 2012. Terms of the settlement were $200,000 plus interest.[4]
TopWare Interactive / Zuxxez Entertainment filed for bankruptcy again on 1 February 2016.[5] While the company has not released any official comment on the subject yet, the insolvency has already been registered in the European Insolvency Register.[6] The filing for bankruptcy comes just a few days after the pulling of Vendetta: Curse of Raven's Cry (the last game published by TopWare Interactive, a re-release of Raven's Cry) from Steam. Nevertheless, TopWare quietly released the game again later.
However, on 26 March 2016, TopWare announced it has begun development of Two Worlds 3 which was set to be released in 2020.[7] However, no further information since that announcement has been made.
Reality Pump Studios
[edit]Reality Pump Studios was founded as an in-house developer for TopWare Interactive in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, in 1995. Their first successful title was Earth 2140. In 2001, they formed a partnership with Zuxxez Entertainment AG and officially took the name 'Reality Pump - Game Development Studios'. They moved their headquarters to Kraków.
In 2015 the company went bankrupt and was acquired by TopWare Interactive.[8]
Published titles
[edit]Premium
[edit]- 1996: Das Schwarze Auge: Schatten über Riva — MS-DOS
- 1997: Jack Orlando — PC
- 1997: Earth 2140 — PC
- 1998: Emergency
- 1998: Knights and Merchants: The Shattered Kingdom
- 1999: Excessive Speed
- 1999: Gorky 17
- 1999: Jagged Alliance 2
- 1999: Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator
- 2000: Earth 2150: Escape from the Blue Planet
- 2000: Earth 2150: The Moon Project
- 2001: Earth 2150: Lost Souls
- 2001: World War III: Black Gold
- 2002: Enclave
- 2001: Chicken Shoot 1
- 2002: Knights and Merchants: The Peasants Rebellion
- 2002: Heli Heroes
- 2002: World War II: Panzer Claws
- 2003: Chicken Shoot 2
- 2003: KnightShift
- 2004: Jagged Alliance 2: Wildfire
- 2004: I of the Dragon
- 2005: Earth 2160 — PC
- 2006: Dream Pinball 3D — PC
- 2007: Two Worlds — PC, Xbox 360
- 2009: X-Blades — PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- 2010: Two Worlds II — PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- 2011: Two Worlds 2: Pirates of the Flying Fortress — PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- 2011: Battle vs Chess aka Check vs. Mate — PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii
- 2012: Planets under Attack — PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- 2012: Iron Sky: Invasion — PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- 2015: Raven's Cry — PC, Mac
- 2016: Two Worlds 2: Call of the Tenebrae
- 2017: Two Worlds 2: Shadows of the Dark Past
- 2018: Two Worlds 2: Shadows of the Dark Past 2
- 2019: Two Worlds 2: Shattered Embrace
- TBA: Scivelation — PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4[9]
- TBA: Two Worlds 3
Value
[edit]- Dream Pinball 3D
- Burn
- BoG Arcade
- BoG Role Playing
- BoG Strategy
- WWIII: Black Gold
- World War II: Panzer Claws II
- Kings of Dark Age
- Septerra Core
- Gorky 17
- Heli Heroes
- Knights & Merchants
- Earth 2140
- Earth 2150
- Earth 2160
- Das Schwarze Auge: Die Schicksalsklinge (1997 re-release)
- Das Schwarze Auge: Sternenschweif (1997 re-release)
- Das Schwarze Auge: Schatten über Riva (1997 re-release)
- EEP Pro 3.0
- Jack Orlando
- X-Blades
- Transcripted[10]
- Gold Games compilation series
Cancelled
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ TopWare Interactive. "Company Profile". TopWare Interactive. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ Golem.de (5 February 2001). "TopWare stellt Insolvenzantrag" (in German). Klaß & Ihlenfeld Verlag GmbH. Archived from the original on 6 March 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
- ^ Golem.de (26 April 2005). "Topware Interactive startet neu - in den USA" (in German). Klaß & Ihlenfeld Verlag GmbH. Archived from the original on 23 February 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
- ^ Matt Pooled, "Interplay Wins in the Battle Chess Saga against Topware and SouthPeak" Archived 3 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Bright Side of News, 2 November 2013
- ^ "TopWare Interactive - Deutscher Publisher meldet Insolvenz an". www.gamestar.de (in German). 2 February 2016. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Insolvency Registers". e-justice.europa.eu. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ Dransfield, Ian (28 March 2016). "Two Worlds 3 in development, Two Worlds 2 comes to Linux/SteamOS". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Reality Pump, Studio Behind Two Worlds II, Goes Bankrupt and Shuts Down". Gamepressure.com. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "Scivelation". TopWare Interactive AG. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Torrent versions & cancelled keys. Why we did and said some things you might find shocking :: Transcripted General Discussions". steamcommunity.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Sacrilegium Resurfaces with a Trailer". TrueAchievements. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2020.