Acclaim, the US game publisher that enjoyed success in the 1990s, is being resurrected.
Originally founded in 1987 by a trio of former Activision employees, Acclaim became known for a steady stream of games based on popular IP, before eventually declaring bankruptcy on September 1, 2004.
Now, more than 20 years later, Acclaim is back, led by CEO Alex Josef, the former founder and CEO of Graffiti Games (Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion).
In a statement, the publisher says its initial goals are “to support indie developers and reignite classic franchises”, providing funding, marketing and PC support to indie studios.
Acclaim was perhaps best known for its licensed games, and one of the key aims of the new company is to “resurrect and revitalize its beloved portfolio of classic IP enjoyed for years by millions of players”.
To accomplish this, an advisory board of “esteemed industry leaders” has been set up to shape the publisher’s future, with board members including Russell Binder (founding partner of licensing and merchandising company Striker Entertainment), Mark Caplan (founder of business consultancy firm Ridge Partners) and former wrestler and entrepreneur Jeff Jarrett.
Jarrett, who previously starred in Acclaim’s WWF Attitude game, said: “For more than three decades, I’ve had the privilege to have been a part of both the wrestling and gaming universes, and I’m thrilled to now be a partner in the revival of Acclaim, an iconic publisher known for releasing some of the most legendary games of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
“From my early involvement with the publisher’s hit 16-bit WWF titles to my experience helping shape the TNA Wrestling series, which spawned the first video game wrestler to become a full-time roster member in the Squared Circle, I’ve seen first-hand the type of impact great games can have on players and fans. Resurrecting Acclaim is an opportunity to impart the same degree of passion and love to a new generation, and I’m excited to be involved.”
Acclaim published around 300 games over the course of its original run, many of which were based on popular movies and TV shows. Notable hits included its WWF games, The Simpsons: Bart vs the Space Mutants, Terminator 2, Alien 3, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, South Park and the home versions of such Midway series as Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam.