Beenox

Beenox Inc.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedMay 2000; 24 years ago (2000-05)
FounderDominique Brown
HeadquartersQuebec City, Canada
Number of locations
2 (2024)
Key people
Nour Polloni (studio head)[1]
Number of employees
~300
ParentActivision (2005–present)
DivisionsBeenox Montreal
Websitebeenox.com

Beenox Inc. is a Canadian video game developer established in 2000 in Quebec City. The studio became a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision on May 25, 2005.[2]

History

[edit]

Between 2003 and 2006, the developer was essentially a porting house. They completed approximately 30 projects for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

In 2006, they returned to original game development with the console versions of Bee Movie Game,[3] inspired by the feature film from DreamWorks Animation. As part of Activision's E3 2007 media blitz, it was announced that Beenox was the developer behind the Windows version of Activision's Spider-Man game Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, which was released in October 2007.[4] They released the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii and Windows versions of Monsters vs. Aliens and the console versions of Guitar Hero Smash Hits. Beenox later developed the Spider-Man games Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions,[5] Spider-Man: Edge of Time,[6] The Amazing Spider-Man,[7] and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.[8]

After founder Dominique Brown's departure in December 2012,[9] the studio's focus shifted from leading original game development to doing a number of support tasks on Activision's superbrands Skylanders and Call of Duty. In 2015, Beenox worked in conjunction with Mercenary Technology on bringing Call of Duty: Black Ops III to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[10]

In March 2022, Beenox announced that it would open a second office in Montreal, Quebec, led by Nour Polloni, increasing its staff count by 20%.[11]

Games developed

[edit]
Year Game Platform(s) Notes
2001 Pillars of Garendall Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X —
2007 Bee Movie Game Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360
2009 Monsters vs. Aliens Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Guitar Hero Smash Hits PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
2010 Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
2011 Spider-Man: Edge of Time Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
2012 The Amazing Spider-Man Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360
2013 Skylanders: Swap Force PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One Co-developed with Vicarious Visions
2014 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One —
Skylanders: Trap Team Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One Co-developed with Toys for Bob
2015 Skylanders: SuperChargers iOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One Co-developed with Vicarious Visions
Skylanders: SuperChargers Racing Nintendo 3DS, Wii —
Call of Duty: Black Ops III PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Co-developed with Mercenary Technology
2016 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Additional work
2017 Call of Duty: WWII
2018 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
2019 Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One —
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Additional work
2020 Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered —
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Additional work[12][13][14][15]
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2021 Call of Duty: Vanguard
2022 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
2023 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
2024 Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile iOS, Android Co-developed with Digital Legends Entertainment, Activision Shanghai Studio, Demonware, and Solid State Studios[16]
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Additional work

Ports

[edit]
Year Game Platform(s)
2003 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3[17] Mac OS X
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4[18] Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer[19]
Wakeboarding Unleashed Featuring Shaun Murray[20]
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness[21] Mac OS X
2004 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King[22]
Homeworld 2[23]
Railroad Tycoon 3[24]
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Microsoft Windows
Pitfall: The Lost Expedition
The Incredibles[25] Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Shrek 2: Team Action Microsoft Windows
MTX Mototrax[26] Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
2005 Tony Hawk's Underground Microsoft Windows
Madagascar
Fantastic Four
Star Wars: Battlefront[27] Mac OS X
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse[28] Microsoft Windows
Ultimate Spider-Man
Myst V: End of Ages[29] Mac OS X
Evil Dead: Regeneration Microsoft Windows
The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Gun Microsoft Windows
MX vs. ATV Unleashed
2006 Over the Hedge
X-Men: The Official Game
Cars Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Microsoft Windows
2007 Spider-Man 3
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe
2008 Kung Fu Panda Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
007: Quantum of Solace Microsoft Windows, Wii
2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Microsoft Windows

Cancelled

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mattone, Mattone (October 27, 2020). "Beenox Celebrates 20th Anniversary". Activision Games Blog. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  2. ^ "Activision Establishes Development Foothold in Quebec With Acquisition of Beenox". Activision Blizzard. May 25, 2005. Archived from the original on October 7, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  3. ^ Hayward, Andrew (November 6, 2007). "Bee Movie Game review". GamesRadar+. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  4. ^ "'Spider-Man: Friend or Foe' Coming To PCs". TotalGaming.net. July 12, 2007. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2007.
  5. ^ "Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions". IGN. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Krupa, Daniel (October 6, 2011). "Spider-Man: Edge of Time Review". IGN. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  7. ^ "The Amazing Spider-Man". IGN. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  8. ^ Rudden, Dave (May 1, 2014). "The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Game Review". IGN. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  9. ^ Tach, Dave (December 14, 2012). "Beenox founder leaves studio, two employees rise in the ranks". Polygon. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  10. ^ Sarkar, Samit (September 25, 2015). "Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 won't have a campaign on PS3 and Xbox 360". Polygon. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  11. ^ Partis, Danielle (March 29, 2022). "Beenox to open new studio in Montreal". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  12. ^ Beenox [@BeenoxTeam] (May 12, 2020). "#THPS is finally back! Congratulations to Vicarious Visions for announcing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 and 2, happy to be a part of the supporting team on the game. Star-struckSparkles" (Tweet). Retrieved May 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Beenox [@BeenoxTeam] (June 22, 2020). "Congratulations to @ToysForBob for announcing Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, happy to be part of the supporting team!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 22, 2020 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ Bhat, Keshav (August 26, 2020). "Black Ops Cold War development team includes multiple Activision studios". Charlie INTEL. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  15. ^ CharlieIntel [@charlieINTEL] (August 12, 2023). "MW3's Battle net page confirms that along with Sledgehammer Games, Treyarch, Infinity Ward, Beenox, Raven, High Moon, and demonware are also working on the game" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "Call of Duty: Next: Announcing Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, Redefining Battle Royale for Gamers on the Go". Call of Duty. September 15, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  17. ^ Cohen, Peter (October 23, 2002). "Aspyr announces Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3". Macworld. Retrieved October 23, 2002.
  18. ^ Cohen, Peter (July 29, 2003). "Aspyr: Tony Hawk 4 now in duplication". Macworld. Retrieved July 29, 2003.
  19. ^ Cohen, Peter (May 15, 2003). "E3: Beenox talks Mac game ports, original development". Macworld. Retrieved May 15, 2003.
  20. ^ Cohen, Peter (December 22, 2003). "Aspyr ships Wakeboarding Unleashed for Mac, PC". Macworld. Retrieved December 22, 2003.
  21. ^ Cohen, Peter (December 18, 2003). "Aspyr releases new Tomb Raider game". Macworld. Retrieved December 18, 2003.
  22. ^ Cohen, Peter (December 17, 2003). "Aspyr: Return of the King is Mac-bound". Macworld. Retrieved December 17, 2003.
  23. ^ Cohen, Peter (April 25, 2004). "Aspyr to make Homeworld 2 for Mac". Macworld. Retrieved April 25, 2004.
  24. ^ Cohen, Peter (September 1, 2004). "MacSoft: Railroad Tycoon 3 ships Sept. 13". Macworld. Retrieved September 1, 2004.
  25. ^ Cohen, Peter (November 1, 2004). "'The Incredibles' games ship". Macworld. Retrieved November 1, 2004.
  26. ^ Cohen, Peter (July 27, 2004). "Aspyr to publish MTX: Mototrax for Mac and PC". Macworld. Retrieved July 27, 2004.
  27. ^ "Aspyr Media, Inc. Ships Star Wars Battlefront(TM) For Macintosh". Business Wire. July 19, 2005. Retrieved July 19, 2005.
  28. ^ "Marvel and Activision's X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Ships for the Psp(TM) (Playstation(R) Portable) System". Activision Blizzard. October 19, 2005. Retrieved October 19, 2005.
  29. ^ Cohen, Peter (February 24, 2005). "Myst V Mac conversion heading from Beenox". Macworld. Retrieved February 24, 2005.
  30. ^ "Beenox Announces VATZ". GameZone. May 4, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  31. ^ Williams, Leah J. (September 20, 2021). "Hidden Palace Just Dropped Over 500 Unreleased Game Prototypes". Kotaku. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  32. ^ Teixeira, Miri (September 20, 2021). "Hundreds of prototype Xbox and Dreamcast games uploaded by Project Deluge". NME. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
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