LEGO Media International: Difference between revisions

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| website = {{ubl|[http://web.archive.org/web/20000301053119/http://www.legomedia.com legomedia.com] | [http://web.archive.org/web/20011024070156/http://www.lego.com/software/default.asp lego.com/software] | [https://web.archive.org/web/20050104010633/http://www.lego.com:80/eng/interactive/default.asp lego.com/interactive]}}
| website = {{ubl|[http://web.archive.org/web/20000301053119/http://www.legomedia.com legomedia.com] | [http://web.archive.org/web/20011024070156/http://www.lego.com/software/default.asp lego.com/software] | [https://web.archive.org/web/20050104010633/http://www.lego.com:80/eng/interactive/default.asp lego.com/interactive]}}
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'''LEGO Media International Limited''' was a British publishing company that was part of the [[LEGO Group]]. It published media, primarily video games, under several different names: first '''LEGO Media''', then '''LEGO Software''', and finally '''LEGO Interactive'''; under the third label the company worked with Electronic Arts and THQ.
'''LEGO Media International Limited''' was a British publishing company that was part of the [[LEGO Group]]. It published media, primarily video games, under several different names: first '''LEGO Media''', then '''LEGO Software''', and finally '''LEGO Interactive'''; under the third label the company worked with Electronic Arts and THQ.


== History ==
== History ==
LEGO Media International was established in the spring of 1996 in [[Wikipedia:London|London]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lego.com/press/issue27/progress.html |title=Progress in North America, Great Britain, Benelux and Russia |date=28 April 1997 |work=The LEGO Group Annual Report 1996 |publisher=[[LEGO.com]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/19970615101143/http://www.lego.com/press/issue27/progress.html |archive-date=1997-06-15}}</ref>{{R|BnB43|p=7}}
LEGO Media International was established in the spring of 1996 in [[Wikipedia:Hammersmith|Hammersmith]], [[Wikipedia:London|London]].<ref name="Annual 1997"/><ref name="LMPR Racers"/> Its formation was announced on 22 March 1996 (the launch date of the then-new [[LEGO World Wide Web]]) as one of two new software departments being established by the LEGO Group, the other being [[Strategic Project Unit Darwin]]. The new British company was planned to develop and market LEGO software through alliances with various software company partners.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lego.com/press/press_6.html |title=Digital LEGO products |date=March 22, 1996 |website=[[LEGO World Wide Web]] Press Info |publisher=[[The LEGO Group]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/19970110041308/http://www.lego.com:80/press/press_6.html |archive-date=10 January 1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


On 10 February 1999 LEGO Media announced four new titles: [[LEGO Racers (video game)|''LEGO Racers'']], [[LEGO Friends (1999 video game)|''LEGO Friends'']], [[LEGO Rock Raiders (video game)|''LEGO Rock Raiders'']], and [[LEGOLAND (video game)|''LEGOLAND'']]. ''Racers'' and ''Rock Raiders'' were to be the first LEGO titles for [[Wikipedia:PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], and ''Racers'' the first (and only) title for [[Wikipedia:Nintendo 64|Nintendo 64]].<ref name="cdmag announces"/> In May 1999
<!--[[File:LEGO Software logo transparent.png|thumb|left|LEGO Software logo|220px]]
LEGO Media presented the four new titles at [[E3 1999]] in [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles|Los Angeles]].<ref name="cdmag E3"/><ref name="IGN E3"/>
 
[[File:LEGO Software logo transparent.png|thumb|left|LEGO Software logo|220px]]
In December 2001 [[Wikipedia:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] signed an agreement with the LEGO Group to co-publish video games with LEGO Software. Electronic Arts would also provide marketing and support for over thirty LEGO Software titles for the next three years to promote LEGO games to older audiences. The agreement included titles from the ''[[Bionicle]]'', ''[[LEGO Island]]'', and [[LEGO Racers (video game)|''LEGO Racers'']] series, as well as the then-upcoming ''[[Football Mania|LEGO Sports]]'', [[Galidor (video game)|''Galidor'']], and ''[[Academy of Flight]]''.<ref>Ahmed, Shahend (10 December 2001). [https://web.archive.org/web/20030802112441/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/legoland/news_2831479.html "EA to copublish LEGO games"]. [[Wikipedia:GameSpot|''GameSpot'']]. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2 August 2003.</ref>
In December 2001 [[Wikipedia:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]] signed an agreement with the LEGO Group to co-publish video games with LEGO Software. Electronic Arts would also provide marketing and support for over thirty LEGO Software titles for the next three years to promote LEGO games to older audiences. The agreement included titles from the ''[[Bionicle]]'', ''[[LEGO Island]]'', and [[LEGO Racers (video game)|''LEGO Racers'']] series, as well as the then-upcoming ''[[Football Mania|LEGO Sports]]'', [[Galidor (video game)|''Galidor'']], and ''[[Academy of Flight]]''.<ref>Ahmed, Shahend (10 December 2001). [https://web.archive.org/web/20030802112441/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/legoland/news_2831479.html "EA to copublish LEGO games"]. [[Wikipedia:GameSpot|''GameSpot'']]. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2 August 2003.</ref>


On 16 March 2004 the LEGO Company Leadership Team and [[Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen]] announced a plan to financially stabilise the LEGO Company, following a pre-tax loss on earnings of [[Wikipedia:Danish krone|DKK]] 1.4 billion in 2003. The plan included shifting company focus to the production and sales of construction toys and away from other ventures that were not considered part of the company's "core business". Non-core projects, including the development of films and video games, were to be ended or transferred to licensed partner companies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lego.com/eng/info/default.asp?page=pressdetail&contentid=4805&countrycode=2057&yearcode=&archive=false |title=New action plan by LEGO Company will stabilise financial position |first=Charlotte |last=Simonsen |date=16 March 2004 |website=[[LEGO.com]] Press Releases |publisher=[[The LEGO Group]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040410211041/http://www.lego.com/eng/info/default.asp?page=pressdetail&contentid=4805&countrycode=2057&yearcode=&archive=false |archive-date=10 April 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{R|Annual 2004|p=9}}
On 16 March 2004 the LEGO Company Leadership Team and [[Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen]] announced a plan to financially stabilise the LEGO Company, following a pre-tax loss on earnings of [[Wikipedia:Danish krone|DKK]] 1.4 billion in 2003. The plan included shifting company focus to the production and sales of construction toys and away from other ventures that were not considered part of the company's "core business". Non-core projects, including the development of films and video games, were to be ended or transferred to licensed partner companies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lego.com/eng/info/default.asp?page=pressdetail&contentid=4805&countrycode=2057&yearcode=&archive=false |title=New action plan by LEGO Company will stabilise financial position |first=Charlotte |last=Simonsen |date=16 March 2004 |website=[[LEGO.com]] Press Releases |publisher=[[The LEGO Group]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040410211041/http://www.lego.com/eng/info/default.asp?page=pressdetail&contentid=4805&countrycode=2057&yearcode=&archive=false |archive-date=10 April 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{R|Annual 2004|p=9}}


LEGO Interactive was working with [[Traveller’s Tales]] on the development of ''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game]]'' when the LEGO Group pulled out of the video game industry. Jonathan Smith and Tom Stone, who had both been part of the senior management at LEGO Interactive, founded [[Giant Interactive Entertainment]] to continue production on ''LEGO Star Wars''.<ref name="Wallis">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/column_index.php?story=8479 |title=Playing Catch Up: Traveller's Tales' Jon Burton |first=Alistair |last=Wallis |date=November 9, 2006 |website=[[Wikipedia:Gamasutra|Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:CMP Media LLC|CMP Media LLC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227143942/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/column_index.php?story=8479 |archive-date=27 February 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Boyes">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165669.html |title=Q&A: Lego Star Wars producer Jonathan Smith |first=Emma |last=Boyes |date=9 February 2007 |website=[[Wikipedia:GameSpot UK|GameSpot UK]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:CNET Networks|CNET Networks, Inc]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210095617/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165669.html |archive-date=10 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The new publishing company retained exclusive rights for the production of LEGO video games until 2012.<ref name="Maragos">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=5308 |title=Traveller's Tales Acquires Giant Entertainment |first=Nich |last=Maragos |date=April 15, 2005 |website=[[Wikipedia:Gamasutra|Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:CMP Media LLC|CMP Media LLC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612183140/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=5308 |archive-date=12 June 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Traveller's Tales co-founder [[Wikipedia:Jon Burton|Jon Burton]] saw potential in the LEGO license, and discussions were held as to whether the two companies would work well together as a "developer driven publisher".<ref name="Wallis"/> Traveller's Tales acquired Giant in April 2005, and the two teams became divisions of a new company called [[TT Games]].<ref name="Maragos"/> Giant was renamed to TT Games Publishing by 2006.
LEGO Interactive was working with [[Traveller’s Tales]] on the development of ''[[LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game]]'' when the LEGO Group pulled out of the video game industry. Jonathan Smith and Tom Stone, who had both been part of the senior management at LEGO Interactive, founded [[Giant Interactive Entertainment]] to continue production on ''LEGO Star Wars''.<ref name="Wallis">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/column_index.php?story=8479 |title=Playing Catch Up: Traveller's Tales' Jon Burton |first=Alistair |last=Wallis |date=November 9, 2006 |website=[[Wikipedia:Gamasutra|Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:CMP Media LLC|CMP Media LLC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227143942/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/column_index.php?story=8479 |archive-date=27 February 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Boyes">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165669.html |title=Q&A: Lego Star Wars producer Jonathan Smith |first=Emma |last=Boyes |date=9 February 2007 |website=[[Wikipedia:GameSpot UK|GameSpot UK]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:CNET Networks|CNET Networks, Inc]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210095617/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165669.html |archive-date=10 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The new publishing company retained exclusive rights for the production of LEGO video games until 2012.<ref name="Maragos">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=5308 |title=Traveller's Tales Acquires Giant Entertainment |first=Nich |last=Maragos |date=April 15, 2005 |website=[[Wikipedia:Gamasutra|Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[Wikipedia:CMP Media LLC|CMP Media LLC]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612183140/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=5308 |archive-date=12 June 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Traveller's Tales co-founder [[Wikipedia:Jon Burton|Jon Burton]] saw potential in the LEGO license, and discussions were held as to whether the two companies would work well together as a "developer driven publisher".<ref name="Wallis"/> Traveller's Tales acquired Giant in April 2005, and the two teams became divisions of a new company called [[TT Games]].<ref name="Maragos"/> Giant was renamed to TT Games Publishing by 2006.-->


=== Websites ===
=== Websites ===
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== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Annual 1997">{{cite web |url=http://www.lego.com/press/issue27/progress.html |title=Progress in North America, Great Britain, Benelux and Russia |date=28 April 1997 |work=The LEGO Group Annual Report 1996 |publisher=[[The LEGO Group]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/19970615101143/http://www.lego.com/press/issue27/progress.html |archive-date=1997-06-15}}</ref>
<ref name="Annual 2004">{{cite book |date=14 March 2005 |url=https://www.lego.com/cdn/cs/aboutus/assets/blt07abb4b8a3da3f39/Annual_Report_2004_ENG.pdf |title=Annual Report 2004 – LEGO Group |publisher=Stakeholder Relations |p=53 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311135352/https://www.lego.com/cdn/cs/aboutus/assets/blt07abb4b8a3da3f39/Annual_Report_2004_ENG.pdf |archive-date=11 March 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="Annual 2004">{{cite book |date=14 March 2005 |url=https://www.lego.com/cdn/cs/aboutus/assets/blt07abb4b8a3da3f39/Annual_Report_2004_ENG.pdf |title=Annual Report 2004 – LEGO Group |publisher=Stakeholder Relations |p=53 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311135352/https://www.lego.com/cdn/cs/aboutus/assets/blt07abb4b8a3da3f39/Annual_Report_2004_ENG.pdf |archive-date=11 March 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="BnB43">{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/cdn/cs/set/assets/blte53dbf634332aa73/bits_n_bricks_s04e43_feature_and_transcript.pdf |title=The LEGO Game That Unlocked True Digital Creation |last1=Crecente |first1=Brian |last2=Vincent |first2=Ethan |others=Participants: Rob Smith, Servan Keondjian, Ronny Scherer |date=8 December 2021 |work=[[Bits N' Bricks]] |type=Podcast |series=Episode 43 |publisher=The LEGO Group |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231024000231/https://www.lego.com/cdn/cs/set/assets/blte53dbf634332aa73/bits_n_bricks_s04e43_feature_and_transcript.pdf |archive-date=24 October 2023 |url-status=live }} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W92a0b_quU Audio version] via YouTube.</ref>
 
<ref name="cdmag announces">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/017/161/lego_games.html |title=LEGO Announces 4 New Titles |first=James |last=Fudge |date=February 10, 1999 |website=[[Wikipedia:Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]] |publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021129091950/http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/017/161/lego_games.html |archive-date=November 29, 2002 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="LMPR Racers">{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=LEGO Racers |url=http://press.legomedia.com/news/e3_legoracers.asp |location=[[Wikipedia:London|London]] |website=LEGO Media Press Room |date=May 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001027035304/http://press.legomedia.com/news/e3_legoracers.asp |archive-date=27 October 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="cdmag E3">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/019/136/lego_e3.html |title=Lego Media at E3 |first=James |last=Fudge |date=May 11, 1999 |website=[[Wikipedia:Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]] |publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021129092135/http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/019/136/lego_e3.html |archive-date=November 29, 2002 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
<ref name="IGN E3">{{cite web |url=http://ign64.ign.com/news/8022.html |title=Lego Media's E3 Lineup |author=IGN Staff |date=May 11, 1999 |website=[[Wikipedia:IGN|IGN64]] |publisher=Snowball.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000309014635/http://ign64.ign.com/news/8022.html |archive-date=March 9, 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="IGN Snap">{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/news/6879.html |title=It's a Snap |website=[[Wikipedia:IGN|IGN PSX]] |publisher=Snowball.com |author=IGN Staff |date=February 11, 1999 |archive-url=ttps://web.archive.org/web/20000901014827/http://psx.ign.com/news/6879.html |archive-date=September 1, 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Ultimate Media">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/ultimatelegobook0000unse/page/26/mode/2up?view=theater |title=The Ultimate LEGO Book |chapter=Media Magic |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |editor-first1=David |editor-last1=Pickering |editor-first2=Nick |editor-last2=Turpin |editor-first3=Caryn |editor-last3=Jenner |pages=26-27 |year=1999 |ISBN=0-7513-5948-3}}</ref>
}}
}}


Revision as of 23:41, 11 May 2024

LEGO Media International Limited
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded1996; 28 years ago (1996)
Defunct2004 (2004)
Headquarters100 Hammersmith Road,
London
,
England
ParentLEGO A/S[1]: 53 
Website

LEGO Media International Limited was a British publishing company that was part of the LEGO Group. It published media, primarily video games, under several different names: first LEGO Media, then LEGO Software, and finally LEGO Interactive; under the third label the company worked with Electronic Arts and THQ.

History

LEGO Media International was established in the spring of 1996 in Hammersmith, London.[2][3] Its formation was announced on 22 March 1996 (the launch date of the then-new LEGO World Wide Web) as one of two new software departments being established by the LEGO Group, the other being Strategic Project Unit Darwin. The new British company was planned to develop and market LEGO software through alliances with various software company partners.[4]


Websites

Write something here?

  • March 2000

    March 2000

  • January 2005

    January 2005

Media published

The following tables list the software and books published by LEGO Media International. The list only includes the initial releases of each product; many were re-released at various points by this company, as well as by third-party distributors.

Software

Year Title Developer Platform(s)
Computer Console Handheld
as LEGO Media
1998 LEGO Chess Krisalis Software Windows — —
LEGO Creator Superscape Windows — —
LEGO Loco Intelligent Games Windows — —
1999 LEGO Friends Ivanoff Interactive Windows — —
LEGO Racers (GBC) High Voltage Software
Climax Studios (GBC) 		Windows Nintendo 64, PlayStation Game Boy Color
LEGO Rock Raiders (PS) Data Design Interactive Windows PlayStation —
2000 LEGOLAND Krisalis Software Windows — —
LEGO Alpha Team (GBC) Digital Domain
Climax Studios (GBC) 		Windows — Game Boy Color
LEGO My Style: Preschool Stormfront Studios Windows, Macintosh — —
LEGO My Style: Kindergarten Windows, Macintosh — —
LEGO Stunt Rally (GBC) Intelligent Games
Graphic State (GBC) 		Windows — Game Boy Color
as LEGO Software
2000 LEGO Creator: Knights' Kingdom Superscape Windows — —
2001 LEGO Bionicle Saffire — — Game Boy Advance
LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge (GBA, GBC) Silicon Dreams Studio
Crawfish Interactive (GBC) 		Windows PlayStation Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color
LEGO Creator: Harry Potter Superscape Windows — —
LEGO Racers 2 (GBA) Attention to Detail
Pocket Studios (GBA) 		Windows PlayStation 2 Game Boy Advance
LEGO Print Creator The Bending Spoon Windows — —
LEGO Software Demo CDs Enigma Interactive Windows — —
as LEGO Interactive, with Electronic Arts
2002 Bionicle: Matoran Adventures Argonaut Games — — Game Boy Advance
Creator: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Qube Software Windows — —
Drome Racers Attention to Detail Windows GameCube, PlayStation 2 —
Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension Tiertex Design Studios — — Game Boy Advance
Football Mania (GBA) Silicon Dreams Studio
Tiertex Design Studios (GBA) 		Windows PlayStation 2 Game Boy Advance
Island Xtreme Stunts (GBA) Silicon Dreams Studio Windows PlayStation 2 Game Boy Advance
2003 Bionicle Argonaut Games Windows GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox —
as LEGO Interactive, with THQ
2003 Bionicle Möbius Entertainment — — Game Boy Advance
Drome Racers — — Game Boy Advance
2004 LEGO Knights' Kingdom Razorback Developments — — Game Boy Advance

Books

Year Title Author Illustrator Series
2000 Knights' Kingdom: Medieval Mischief and Mayhem Alan Grant Artworld UK comic strip storybook
Rock Raiders: High Adventure Deep Underground Robin Smith, LEGO Media International
Busy City Anne Marie Ryan (ed.) Lester Troughton Masterbuilders
Create N' Race Davey Moore Alexander Tomlinson, Sebastian Quigley, Jason Edwards
Mars Mission Anne Marie Ryan (ed.) Sebastian Quigley
Cool Cars ? ? Brick Tricks
Fantastic Fliers ? ?

References

  1. ↑ Annual Report 2004 – LEGO Group (PDF). Stakeholder Relations. 14 March 2005. p. 53. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 March 2024.
  2. ↑ "Progress in North America, Great Britain, Benelux and Russia". The LEGO Group Annual Report 1996. The LEGO Group. 28 April 1997. Archived from the original on 1997-06-15.
  3. ↑ "LEGO Racers". LEGO Media Press Room (Press release). London. May 1999. Archived from the original on 27 October 2000.
  4. ↑ "Digital LEGO products". LEGO World Wide Web Press Info. The LEGO Group. March 22, 1996. Archived from the original on 10 January 1997.
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