Daedalic Entertainment
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1 March 2007 |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | , Germany |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
Number of employees | ~70[1] (2023) |
| Parent |
|
| Website | daedalic.com |
Daedalic Entertainment GmbH is a German video game publisher and former video game developer based in Hamburg. They are best known for developing point-and-click adventure games.
History
Daedalic Entertainment was founded on 1 March 2007 in a small Hamburg office by chief executive officer (CEO) Carsten Fichtelmann and creative director Jan Müller-Michaelis. Prior to founding Daedalic, Fichtelmann was marketing director for German publisher DTP Entertainment.[3]
Shortly afterwards, the adventure game 1½ Knights – In Search of the Ravishing Princess Herzelinde was developed, named after the same film. On 28 August 2009, the adventure game The Whispered World followed and the adventure title A New Beginning, which focuses on climate change, was published on 8 October 2010. In 2011, the sequel to Edna & Harvey: The Breakout was released with the title Harvey’s New Eyes. A year later, a new adventure named Deponia was released to the market, which received several awards as well.[citation needed]
In May 2014, German publisher Bastei Lübbe acquired a majority share of 51% in Daedalic Entertainment.[4][5][6] The following July, Daedalic opened a subsidiary studio, Daedalic Entertainment Studio West, in Düsseldorf.[7][8][9]
In November 2016, Daedalic laid off twelve of its roughly 150 employees, primarily from the production and marketing departments, and opted not to renew several temporary contracts.[10][11][12] In February 2018, Daedalic opened a third studio, this time in Munich under the name Daedalic Entertainment Bavaria.[13] The new studio would consist of eight people, led by Oliver Machek, formerly of Klonk Games, as studio director and creative director, and by Stephan Harms, chief operating officer of Daedalic, as CEO.[14] In August 2018, as Bastei Lübbe faced severe financial issues, and started considering to sell their 51% stake in Daedalic.[15] In early 2021, the Düsseldorf and Munich studios entered liquidation; the former had been inactive since after creative director Andreas Suika left in August 2019 for Epic Games, while the latter was emptied in late 2020 with all employees rehired by other Munich-based developers.[16]
Nacon announced its intent to acquire Daedalic in February 2022 through purchase of all controlling shares of the company for an estimated $60 million.[17] The acquisition was confirmed in April 2022.[18]
In June 2023, Daedalic shuttered its development division, affecting 25 of its more than 90 employees. The closure came as a result of poor reception to and performance of the studio's final internally developed game, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.[19][20][21][22]
Games developed
 |
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Publisher(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Edna & Harvey: The Breakout (Edna bricht aus)[23][24] | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One,Amazon Luna | Lace Mamba Global, Application Systems Heidelberg, Daedalic Entertainment | An improved anniversary edition was released in 2019[24] | |
| 1½ Knights: In Search of the Ravishing Princess Herzelinde | Microsoft Windows | Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment | |||
| 2009 | The Whispered World | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS | Deep Silver, Viva Media, Lace Mamba Global, Daedalic Entertainment | A special edition was released in 2014 | |
| The Tudors | macOS, Microsoft Windows | Merscom | |||
| 2010 | Wolfgang Hohlbein's The Inquisitor | Microsoft Windows | Prime Games | ||
| Immortal Lovers | Microsoft Windows | ||||
| The Chronicles of Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet | macOS, Microsoft Windows | Daedalic Entertainment | |||
| A New Beginning | Microsoft Windows | Daedalic Entertainment, Lace Mamba Global | |||
| 2011 | Edna & Harvey: Harvey's New Eyes | iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Daedalic Entertainment | ||
| The Chronicles of Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream | macOS, Microsoft Windows | ||||
| Borgia | macOS, Microsoft Windows | ||||
| 2012 | Deponia | iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Daedalic Entertainment, Lace Mamba Global | ||
| The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav | macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Daedalic Entertainment, Deep Silver | |||
| Chaos on Deponia | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Daedalic Entertainment | |||
| A New Beginning: Final Cut | iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows | ||||
| 2013 | The Night of the Rabbit | macOS, Microsoft Windows | |||
| The Dark Eye: Memoria | macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | ||||
| Goodbye Deponia | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | ||||
| 2014 | Blackguards | macOS, Microsoft Windows | Daedalic Entertainment, Kalypso Media | ||
| 1954 Alcatraz | Microsoft Windows | Daedalic Entertainment | |||
| Deponia: The Puzzle | Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows | ||||
| Edna & Harvey: The Puzzle | Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows | ||||
| Deponia: The Complete Journey | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows | ||||
| 2015 | Blackguards 2 | macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |||
| Fire: Ungh’s Quest | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, iOS | [25] | |||
| Anna's Quest | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | ||||
| 2016 | Deponia Doomsday | ||||
| Silence | |||||
| 2017 | The Long Journey Home | macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Daedalic Entertainment Studio West | ||
| Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth | iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | ||||
| 2018 | State of Mind | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |||
| 2020 | A Year of Rain | Microsoft Windows | |||
| 2023 | The Lord of the Rings: Gollum | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Daedalic Entertainment, Nacon | [26][27] |
Cancelled
- The Devil's Men
Games published
|
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Developer(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Zanzarah: The Hidden Portal | Microsoft Windows | Funatics Development (Funatics Software) | 2015 re-release | |
| 2013 | Journey of a Roach | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Koboldgames | ||
| Gomo | Microsoft Windows, macOS | Fishcow Studio | |||
| 2014 | Munin | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Gojira | ||
| Randal's Monday | Microsoft Windows, macOS | Nexus Game Studios | |||
| 2015 | Decay: The Mare | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Shining Gate Software | ||
| Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today | Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Fictiorama Studios | |||
| Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?! | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Daylight Studios | |||
| Skyhill | Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Mandragora | |||
| Valhalla Hills | iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Funatics Software | |||
| 2016 | Shooting Stars! | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Bloodirony | ||
| The Virus: Cry for Help | Android, iOS, watchOS | Popclaire | |||
| Caravan | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | It Matters Games | |||
| Crazy Machines 3 | Microsoft Windows | Fakt Software | |||
| Oh My Gore! | bumblebee. | ||||
| Candle | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Teku Studios | |||
| Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Mimimi Productions | |||
| 2017 | Holy Potatoes! We're in Space?! | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Daylight Studios | ||
| Shift Happens' | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch | Klonk Games | |||
| Relaxing VR Games: Mahjong | Microsoft Windows | CrazyBunch | |||
| Leaves: The Journey | Microsoft Windows, macOS | ZAR 21 | |||
| Leaves: The Return | |||||
| The Franz Kafka Videogame | Microsoft Windows, iOS | Denis Galanin (mif2000) | |||
| Bounty Train | Microsoft Windows, macOS | Corbie Games | |||
| Holy Potatoes! What the Hell?! | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Daylight Studios | |||
| AER Memories of Old | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Forgotten Key | |||
| 2018 | Holy Potatoes! A Spy Story?! | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Daylight Studios | ||
| 2019 | The Great Perhaps | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Caligari Games | ||
| Intruders: Hide and Seek | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 | Tessera Studios | |||
| Felix the Reaper | Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Kong Orange | |||
| 2020 | The Suicide of Rachel Foster | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | One-O-One Games | ||
| Iron Danger | Microsoft Windows | Action Squad Studios | |||
| Iratus: Lord of the Dead | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Unfrozen | |||
| Unrailed! | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Indoor Astronaut | Together with bilibili | ||
| Partisans 1941 | Microsoft Windows | Alter Games | |||
| Witch It | Barrel Roll Games | ||||
| 2021 | Insurmountable | ByteRockers' Games | |||
| CryoFall | AtomicTorch Studio | ||||
| Glitchpunk | Dark Lord | ||||
| Fling to the Finish | Microsoft Windows, macOS | SplitSide Games | |||
| JARS | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Mousetrap Games | |||
| Shadow Tactics: Aiko's Choice | Microsoft Windows, Linux | Mimimi Games | |||
| 2022 | Hidden Deep | Microsoft Windows | Cogwheel Software | ||
| Zombie Rollerz: Pinball Heroes | Zing Games Inc. | ||||
| VELONE | Microsoft Windows, macOS | ZAR 21 | |||
| Godlike Burger | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | Liquid Pug | |||
| Warpips | Microsoft Windows | Skirmish Mode Games | |||
| Wildcat Gun Machine | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | Chunkybox Games | |||
| Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter | Microsoft Windows | Iron Wolf Studio S.A. | |||
| The Heart of the Teddy Bear | Abenteuerpakete | ||||
| 2023 | Children of Silentown | Elf Games, Luna2 Studio | |||
| Inkulinati | Yaza Games | ||||
| Potion Tycoon | Snowhound Games | ||||
| Life of Delta | Microsoft Windows, macOS | Airo Games | |||
| Barotrauma | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux | FakeFish, Undertow Games | |||
| Rough Justice: '84 | Microsoft Windows | Gamma Minus UG | |||
| Wanderful | Microsoft Windows | Tiny Roar | |||
| Wild Woods | Octofox Games | ||||
| REVEIL | Pixelsplit | ||||
| Magin: The Rat Project Stories | The Rat Project | ||||
| Capes | Spitfire Interactive |
References
- ^ https://www.gameswirtschaft.de/wirtschaft/daedalic-entertainment-spiele-entwicklung-stellenabbau/ |first=Petra |last=Fröhlich |date=16 January 2023 |website=GamesWirtschaft |access-date=21 January 2023 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121163037/https://www.gameswirtschaft.de/wirtschaft/groesste-games-studios-deutschland-2023/ |url-status=live}}
- ^ "Nach Daedalic-Verkauf: Bastei Lübbe AG gibt Games-Geschäft auf". 14 July 2020. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- ^ "Daedalic – Neuer deutscher Spiele-Publisher – Golem.de". www.golem.de. Archived from the original on 26 March 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Spielebranche: Bastei Lübbe kauft Mehrheit an Daedalic Entertainment – Golem.de". www.golem.de. Archived from the original on 16 May 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- ^ "Daedalic Entertainment : Bastei Lübbe erwirbt Mehrheitsanteil – 4Players.de". 4Players. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Daedalic – Verlagsgruppe Bastei Lübbe übernimmt mehrheitlich Deponia-Entwickler – GameStar". www.gamestar.de. 19 May 2014. Archived from the original on 15 May 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Daedalic Entertainment : Studio in Düsseldorf gegründet – 4Players.de". 4Players. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- ^ "Spielentwickler: Daedalic gründet neues Studio – Golem.de". www.golem.de. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Daedalic Entertainment – Deponia-Entwickler eröffnet Studio in Düsseldorf – GameStar". www.gamestar.de. 15 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Spielebranche: Daedalic entlässt Mitarbeiter – Golem.de". www.golem.de. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ GamesWirtschaft (22 November 2016). "Enttäuschende Verkaufszahlen: Daedalic baut Stellen ab". GamesWirtschaft. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Schwierigkeiten bei Daedalic – Hamburger Publisher baut Stellen ab – GameStar". www.gamestar.de. 22 November 2016. Archived from the original on 5 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ GamesWirtschaft (14 February 2018). "Daedalic Entertainment Bavaria: München wird dritter Daedalic-Standort". GamesWirtschaft. Archived from the original on 17 February 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- ^ "Daedalic – Neues Studio in München eröffnet – GameStar". www.gamestar.de. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- ^ GamesWirtschaft (14 August 2018). "Bastei Lübbe AG: Daedalic Entertainment auf dem Prüfstand (Update)". GamesWirtschaft. Archived from the original on 5 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ Fröhlich, Petra (3 February 2021). "Daedalic Entertainment Bavaria aufgelöst". GamesWirtschaft. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ Prescott, Shaun (16 February 2022). "Nacon acquires Daedalic Entertainment for $60 million". PC Gamer. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ "Definitive acquisition of Daedalic Entertainment". Nacon Corporate. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ https://www.gameswirtschaft.de/wirtschaft/daedalic-entertainment-spiele-entwicklung-stellenabbau/
- ^ https://www.gematsu.com/2023/06/daedalic-entertainment-shuts-down-internal-game-development-to-focus-on-publishing
- ^ https://www.polygon.com/23780172/lord-rings-gollum-daedalic-lotr-game-canceled
- ^ https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a44405635/lord-of-rings-gollum-developer-closing/
- ^ "Edna & Harvey: The Breakout on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Edna & Harvey: The Breakout - Anniversary Edition on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ "Análisis de FIRE (PC, Switch, Wii U)". Vandal (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ Oloman, Jordan; Mercante, Alyssa; Wald, Heather (6 August 2021). "The Lord of the Rings: Gollum game - Everything we know so far". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ^ "The Lord of the Rings: Gollum launches May 25 for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and PC, later for Switch". Gematsu. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
External links
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