Padded Cell Studios

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Padded Cell Studios
Founded: 1991-02-21
Merged with: Malibu Graphics Publishing Group (1992)
Merged into: GameTek (1994)
Headquarters: Westlake Village, California, United States

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Padded Cell Studios, formerly known as Acme Interactive and Malibu Interactive, was an American-British video game developer and former development subsidy of Malibu Comics.

History

Acme Interactive was started by Cinemaware founder Bob Jacob and officially incorporated on February 21, 1991. In 1992, the company merged with Malibu Graphics Publishing Group to form Malibu Comics Entertainment, Inc., of which Malibu Interactive became a division.

A number of the company's employees were recruited from Ocean Software and the Derby, England area (home of Core Design Some moved to work directly in California; others worked in the company's UK offices.

Former Malibu Interactive employees Joel Jewett, Mick West, and Chris Ward would go on to found Neversoft, and John Brandwood, Mike Lamb, and Jeff Godfrey would also leave to establish Left Field Productions. Clockwork Tortoise was also started by a group from Malibu Interactive, and Paradox Development was additionally established by former Malibu Comics CEO/CFO Christine Hsu.

Malibu Comics Entertainment was acquired by Marvel Entertainment Group in 1994, and Malibu Interactive was sold to Gametek, becoming its Padded Cell Studios division. Although unconfirmed, it appears the developer was acquired yet again by Interplay, becoming V.R.T.O., Inc., incorporated on October 16, 1997 with Michael Knauer serving as its president.

Softography

Mega Drive

• Batman Returns (1992) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball (1992) (as Acme Interactive)
• David Robinson's Supreme Court (1992) (as Acme Interactive)
• Evander Holyfield's "Real Deal" Boxing (1992) (as Acme Interactive)
• Ex-Mutants (1992) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Cliffhanger (1993) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (1993) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Battletech: A Game of Armored Combat (1994) (as Malibu Interactive)
• NBA Action '94 (1994) (as Malibu Interactive)
• 3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Tecmo Super Hockey (1995) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Firearm (unreleased) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Prime (unreleased) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Time Trax (unreleased) (as Malibu Interactive)

Game Gear

• Riddick Bowe Boxing (1994) (as Malibu Interactive)
• David Robinson's Supreme Court (unreleased) (as Acme Interactive)

Mega-CD

• Batman Returns (1993) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Joe Montana's NFL Football (1993) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Cliffhanger (1993) (as Malibu Interactive)
• 3 Ninjas Kick Back / Hook (1994) (as Malibu Interactive)
• Prime / Microcosm (1994) (as Malibu Interactive)
• The Smurfs (1995) (as Malibu Interactive)
• The Strangers (unreleased) (as Malibu Interactive)

Saturn

• NFL '97 (1996)

Logos

• 

  Malibu Interactive

External links

• Padded Cell Studios at Game Developer Research Institute