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{{Short description|American video game developer}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Junction Point Studios
| name = Junction Point Studios
| image = Junction Point Studios logo.png
| image = Junction Point Studios logo.png
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| foundation = 2005<ref name=lat/>
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2004|11}}
| fate = [[Dissolution (law)|Dissolved]]
| fate = [[Dissolution (law)|Dissolved]]
| defunct = January 29, 2013
| defunct = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2013|01|29}}
| successor = Library:<br>[[Disney Interactive]]
| location = [[Austin, Texas]]<ref name=lat/>
| location = [[Austin, Texas]], U.S.
⚫
| key_people = [[Warren Spector]]<ref name=lat/><br>Art Min
| industry = [[Video game industry]]
| founder = [[Warren Spector]]
⚫
| key_people = Warren Spector<ref name=lat/><br>Art Min
| products = [[Video game]]s
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
⚫
| parent = [[Disney Interactive Studios]]<br>([[The Walt Disney Company]])
⚫
| products = ''[[Epic Mickey]]''<br>''[[Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two|Epic Mickey 2]]''
⚫
| homepage = [{{url|http://www.junctionpoint.com/}}
⚫
| parent = [[Disney Interactive Studios]]
| num_employees = 160<ref>{{Cite web|title=Disney closes Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/29/3925960/disney-epic-mickey-developer-junction-point-closes|date=2013-01-29|access-date=2021-08-17}}</ref>
| num_employees_year = 2012
⚫
| homepage = {{url|http://junctionpoint.com/}}
}}
}}
'''Junction Point Studios''' ('''JPS''') was an American [[video game developer]] based in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], [[Texas]] founded by ''[[Deus Ex (video game)|Deus Ex]]'' creator, [[Warren Spector]], in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Warren Spector on game development|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_warrenspectorpt1_270606|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=27 June 2006|language=en-us|access-date=2021-08-17}}</ref> [[Disney Interactive Studios]] acquired Junction Point Studios in July 2007<ref name=lat/> to develop a property based on ''[[Oswald the Lucky Rabbit]]'', a character created by [[Walt Disney]] but owned by [[Universal Studios, Inc.|Universal Studios]] until the character was acquired by [[The Walt Disney Company]] from Universal in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Disney: Timeline and Facts|url=https://www.thestreet.com/world/history-of-disney-15136801|last=Miller|first=Terin|website=TheStreet|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-07}}</ref> The studio was closed in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Disney closes Epic Mickey developer Junction Point Studios (updated with comments from Warren Spector)|url=https://venturebeat.com/2013/01/29/disney-closes-epic-mickey-developer-junction-point-studios/|date=2013-01-29|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-07}}</ref>
'''Junction Point Studios''' was a [[video game developer]] based in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], [[Texas]]. It was owned by [[Disney Interactive Studios]]. It only made two games.


==History==
==History==
The studio was established in 2005 by [[Warren Spector]]<ref name=lat>{{cite news|title=Disney buys game developer Junction Point|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/13/business/fi-disney13|accessdate=19 October 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 13, 2007|agency=Bloomberg News}}</ref> and Art Min.<ref name="1up.com">{{cite news|title=Warren Spector Developing on Source for Steam|url=http://www.1up.com/news/spector-taps-source-steam}}</ref> The new studio is based around several former employees of [[Ion Storm]], where Spector<ref name=gst>{{cite news|last=Sheffield|first=Brandon|title=All For Games: An Interview With Warren Spector|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1700/all_for_games_an_interview_with_.php|accessdate=19 October 2012|newspaper=gamasutra.com|date=March 5, 2007}}</ref> and Min previously worked.<ref>{{cite news|title=MobyGames - Art Min|url=http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,4971/}}</ref>
The studio was established in November 2004 by [[Warren Spector]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Warren Spector on game development|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_warrenspectorpt1_270606|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=27 June 2006|language=en-us|access-date=2021-08-17}}</ref><ref name=lat>{{cite news|title=Disney buys game developer Junction Point|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-13-fi-disney13-story.html|access-date=19 October 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 13, 2007|agency=Bloomberg News}}</ref> and Art Min.<ref name="1up.com">{{cite news|title=Warren Spector Developing on Source for Steam|url=http://www.1up.com/news/spector-taps-source-steam|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20160915053735/http://www.1up.com/news/spector-taps-source-steam|archivedate=2016-09-15}}</ref> The new studio is based around several former employees of [[Ion Storm]], where Spector<ref name=gst>{{cite news|last=Sheffield|first=Brandon|title=All For Games: An Interview With Warren Spector|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1700/all_for_games_an_interview_with_.php|accessdate=19 October 2012|newspaper=gamasutra.com|date=March 5, 2007}}</ref> and Min previously worked.<ref>{{cite news|title=MobyGames - Art Min|url=http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,4971/}}</ref>


From inception up until their acquisition by [[Disney Interactive Studios]], Junction Point was working on a [[Source (game engine)|Source Engine]] based game that was to be distributed on [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]'s [[Steam (software)|Steam]] distribution network.<ref name="1up.com"/> This was later revealed to be a new game in Valve's [[Half-Life (series)|Half-Life]] series which was cancelled when Junction Point was acquired.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warren Spector's Half-Life Work...Plus Other Gaming Mysteries, Secrets|url=http://kotaku.com/warren-spectors-half-life-work-plus-other-gaming-mys-518196180}}</ref>
From inception up until their acquisition by [[Disney Interactive Studios]], Junction Point was working on a [[Source (game engine)|Source Engine]] based game that was to be distributed on [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]'s [[Steam (service)|Steam]] distribution network.<ref name="1up.com"/> This was later revealed to be a new game in Valve's [[Half-Life (series)|Half-Life]] series which was cancelled when Junction Point was acquired.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warren Spector's Half-Life Work ... Plus Other Gaming Mysteries, Secrets|url=http://kotaku.com/warren-spectors-half-life-work-plus-other-gaming-mys-518196180}}</ref>

In July 2007, [[Disney Interactive Studios]] acquired Junction Point Studios.<ref name=lat/>


Junction Point developed ''[[Epic Mickey]]'', a [[Wii]] game which was released on November 25, 2010 in Europe and on November 30 in North America. The game is about [[Mickey Mouse]]'s adventure in Wasteland, a world where forgotten characters like [[Oswald the Lucky Rabbit]] live. Junction Point has indicated that its game will be a "combination of action and roleplaying, traditional narrative and player choice", and will use Emergent Game Technologies' [[Gamebryo]] engine. The game has been developed for the [[Wii]] console platform.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
Junction Point developed ''[[Epic Mickey]]'', a [[Wii]] game which was released on November 25, 2010 in Europe and on November 30 in North America. The game is about [[Mickey Mouse]]'s adventure in Wasteland, a world where forgotten characters like [[Oswald the Lucky Rabbit]] live. Junction Point has indicated that its game will be a "combination of action and roleplaying, traditional narrative and player choice", and will use Emergent Game Technologies' [[Gamebryo]] engine. The game has been developed for the [[Wii]] console platform.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
Line 28: Line 31:


On January 29, 2013, [[Disney Interactive Studios]] confirmed the closure of the studio.<ref>{{cite news|title=Junction Point Closed|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/junction-point-closed-6403054|newspaper=gamespot.com}}</ref>
On January 29, 2013, [[Disney Interactive Studios]] confirmed the closure of the studio.<ref>{{cite news|title=Junction Point Closed|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/junction-point-closed-6403054|newspaper=gamespot.com}}</ref>

Before its closure, Junction was working on a video game called ''Project Goliath''.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Failed Pitch For A Disney Game Called Project Goliath|url=https://kotaku.com/a-failed-pitch-for-a-disney-game-called-project-goliath-1797182160|newspaper=Kotaku}}</ref>


==Name==
==Name==
There has been speculation regarding the name "Junction Point" &mdash; apparently, this name was used by a canceled game at [[Looking Glass Studios]], where Spector once worked.<ref name=gst/> According to available descriptions, this game was a "massively multiplayer fantasy role-playing game, changed in midstream to a [[System Shock 2|single-player science-fiction role-playing game]]."
There has been speculation regarding the name "Junction Point" &mdash; apparently, this name was used by a canceled game at [[Looking Glass Studios]], where Spector once worked.<ref name=gst/> According to available descriptions, this game was a "[[Massively multiplayer online role-playing game|massively multiplayer fantasy role-playing game]], changed in midstream to a [[System Shock 2|single-player science-fiction role-playing game]]."


In March 2007, Spector explained the name in an interview:<ref name=gst/>
In March 2007, Spector explained the name in an interview:<ref name=gst/>

<blockquote>When I was with Looking Glass, the last thing I worked on with them on was a concept that I came up with along with [[Doug Church]] and some other guys. It was a very different approach to multiplayer online games called Junction Point. I loved the name and concept. I'm not revealing anything too dramatic since we're not doing the game, though I'd love to some day, but the name spoke to me more as a name for a studio than a name for a game. [...] It's also nice that it abbreviates to JPS, which rolls off the tongue.</blockquote>
<blockquote>When I was with Looking Glass, the last thing I worked on with them on was a concept that I came up with along with [[Doug Church]] and some other guys. It was a very different approach to [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] online games called Junction Point. I loved the name and concept. I'm not revealing anything too dramatic since we're not doing the game, though I'd love to some day, but the name spoke to me more as a name for a studio than a name for a game. ... It's also nice that it abbreviates to JPS, which rolls off the tongue.</blockquote>


==Games developed==
==Games developed==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
⚫
*''[[Epic Mickey]]'' (2010)
|-
⚫
*''[[Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two]]'' (2012)
!Year
!Game
!Platform(s)
|-
|rowspan="2"|Cancelled
|''[[Unreleased_Half-Life_games#Junction_Point_Studios_episode|Untitled Half-Life 2 episode]]''
|[[Microsoft Windows]] ([[Steam (service)|Steam]])
|-
|''Sleeping Giants''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unseen64.net/2020/03/27/sleeping-giants-junction-point-studios-cancelled/|title = Sleeping Giants (Junction Point Studios) &#91;Xbox 360, PS3, PC - Cancelled&#93; - Unseen64|date = 27 March 2020}}</ref>
|Microsoft Windows, [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]]
|-
|2010
⚫
|''[[Epic Mickey]]''
|[[Wii]]
|-
|2012
|''[[Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two]]''
|Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, [[Wii U]], [[PlayStation Vita]], Wii
|}


==See also==
==See also==
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{{Ion Storm}}
{{Ion Storm}}


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[[Category:Disney acquisitions]]

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[[Category:Disney Interactive]]

[[Category:Video game companies established in 2005]]

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[[Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2013]]

[[Category:Defunct video game companies]]
[[Category:Defunct video game companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Video game companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Former subsidiaries of The Walt Disney Company]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Video game companies based in Texas]]
[[Category:Companies based in Austin, Texas]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Texas]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Texas]]
[[Category:Companies based in Austin, Texas]]
[[Category:2005 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies established in 2005]]
[[Category:2013 disestablishments in Texas]]
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[[Category:Companies disestablished in 2013]]
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[[Category:Disney acquisitions]]
⚫
[[Category:Disney Interactive]]

Latest revision as of 16:14, 29 October 2024

Junction Point Studios
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedNovember 2004; 20 years ago (2004-11)
FounderWarren Spector
Defunct29 January 2013; 11 years ago (2013-01-29)
FateDissolved
SuccessorLibrary:
Disney Interactive
HeadquartersAustin, Texas, U.S.
Key people
Warren Spector[1]
Art Min
ProductsEpic Mickey
Epic Mickey 2
Number of employees
160[2] (2012)
ParentDisney Interactive Studios
Websitejunctionpoint.com

Junction Point Studios (JPS) was an American video game developer based in Austin, Texas founded by Deus Ex creator, Warren Spector, in 2004.[3] Disney Interactive Studios acquired Junction Point Studios in July 2007[1] to develop a property based on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a character created by Walt Disney but owned by Universal Studios until the character was acquired by The Walt Disney Company from Universal in 2006.[4] The studio was closed in 2013.[5]

History

[edit]

The studio was established in November 2004 by Warren Spector[6][1] and Art Min.[7] The new studio is based around several former employees of Ion Storm, where Spector[8] and Min previously worked.[9]

From inception up until their acquisition by Disney Interactive Studios, Junction Point was working on a Source Engine based game that was to be distributed on Valve's Steam distribution network.[7] This was later revealed to be a new game in Valve's Half-Life series which was cancelled when Junction Point was acquired.[10]

Junction Point developed Epic Mickey, a Wii game which was released on November 25, 2010 in Europe and on November 30 in North America. The game is about Mickey Mouse's adventure in Wasteland, a world where forgotten characters like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit live. Junction Point has indicated that its game will be a "combination of action and roleplaying, traditional narrative and player choice", and will use Emergent Game Technologies' Gamebryo engine. The game has been developed for the Wii console platform.[citation needed]

On March 21, 2012, Warren Spector announced that a sequel, Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, was in development for Wii and Wii U.[11]

On January 29, 2013, Disney Interactive Studios confirmed the closure of the studio.[12]

Before its closure, Junction was working on a video game called Project Goliath.[13]

Name

[edit]

There has been speculation regarding the name "Junction Point" — apparently, this name was used by a canceled game at Looking Glass Studios, where Spector once worked.[8] According to available descriptions, this game was a "massively multiplayer fantasy role-playing game, changed in midstream to a single-player science-fiction role-playing game."

In March 2007, Spector explained the name in an interview:[8]

When I was with Looking Glass, the last thing I worked on with them on was a concept that I came up with along with Doug Church and some other guys. It was a very different approach to multiplayer online games called Junction Point. I loved the name and concept. I'm not revealing anything too dramatic since we're not doing the game, though I'd love to some day, but the name spoke to me more as a name for a studio than a name for a game. ... It's also nice that it abbreviates to JPS, which rolls off the tongue.

Games developed

[edit]
Year Game Platform(s)
Cancelled Untitled Half-Life 2 episode Microsoft Windows (Steam)
Sleeping Giants[14] Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2010 Epic Mickey Wii
2012 Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PlayStation Vita, Wii

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Disney buys game developer Junction Point". Los Angeles Times. Bloomberg News. July 13, 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Disney closes Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios". Polygon. 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  3. ^ "Warren Spector on game development". Eurogamer. 27 June 2006. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  4. ^ Miller, Terin. "History of Disney: Timeline and Facts". TheStreet. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  5. ^ "Disney closes Epic Mickey developer Junction Point Studios (updated with comments from Warren Spector)". VentureBeat. 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  6. ^ "Warren Spector on game development". Eurogamer. 27 June 2006. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  7. ^ a b "Warren Spector Developing on Source for Steam". Archived from the original on 2016-09-15.
  8. ^ a b c Sheffield, Brandon (March 5, 2007). "All For Games: An Interview With Warren Spector". gamasutra.com. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  9. ^ "MobyGames - Art Min".
  10. ^ "Warren Spector's Half-Life Work ... Plus Other Gaming Mysteries, Secrets".
  11. ^ Dutton, Fred (21 March 2012). "Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two revealed". eurogamer.net. Associated Press. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  12. ^ "Junction Point Closed". gamespot.com.
  13. ^ "A Failed Pitch For A Disney Game Called Project Goliath". Kotaku.
  14. ^ "Sleeping Giants (Junction Point Studios) [Xbox 360, PS3, PC - Cancelled] - Unseen64". 27 March 2020.
[edit]
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