Raven Software

Raven Software is a company of development specialized in the video game. Founded in 1990 by the Brian brothers and Steve Raffel the company is based with Madison in the Wisconsin.

History

March 20th 1992 leaves Black Crypt for Amiga, very first play of a young company rested by two brothers: Brian Raffel and Steve Raffel. This Roleplay is distributed by Electronic Arts which considers two ports quickly: for PC and the other for Sega Genesis. Unfortunately, in spite of the success of Black Crypt for Amiga, none of these two plays will leave. However, in 1998 Raven Software leaves a version commemorative (and free) of Black Crypt, turning under Windows 95 and Windows 98.

In 1993 it is ShadowCaster which leaves, a roleplay with a graphic engine near to that of Wolfenstein 3D. Success is again with go.

In 1994 Raven Software leaves Heretic, one from now on traditional play of shooting to the first nobody (first person shooter), which is based on the gameplay and the engine of Doom, slightly faded for the occasion. The play meets critical and public warm welcome. As the tools of Doom can easily be improved to be used for Heretic the community of the players is interested in it quickly and of the hundreds of new free levels circulate quickly. In 1995 the continuation of Heretic, Hexen, always founded on the engine of Doom, but with some improvements moreover, leaves in its turn a trace in the history of the doom-like. Starting from there collaboration between Raven Software and with Id Software, the creators of Doom, will be only being reinforced and will become one of the main features of the company. The vast majority of the plays left after Heretic will exploit the successive technologies developed by id Software.

In 1997, Raven Software signs an exclusive agreement of distribution with Activision and leaves Hexen II, first play based on the engine of Quake, the last born from id Software with moreover, added for the occasion, a native support of the charts OpenGL. Three other plays, Hexen II will follow quickly Pack Mission: Portal off Praevus a add one, prolonging Hexen II, and two other titles less known but also based on the famous Quake-engine, MageSlayer and Take No Prisoners, which gives up the subjective sight common to the more share of plays of Raven to the profit of a sight to the third nobody. These two works, very similar by their jouability and their visual violence, will bring the proof that one can make another thing that plays of shooting to the first nobody with a good graphic engine.

Raven continuous Software on its impetus in 1998, exploiting then the all young engine of Quake 2 for Heretic II. A Play of objective shooting which lorgne of with dimensions of Tomb Raider with a hero elfic capable of spectacular acrobatics. The play remains close on the level to the control of its elder in subjective sight but the innovation is there and confirms that the company can use well the tools developed by Id Software. Technologies of Quake 2 with new will be used shortly after with Soldier off Fortune, a play remained in annals for its extreme violence and its advanced management of the zones of impact.

The engine of Quake 3, new standard with its left, will also quickly be exploited by Raven Software through Star Trek Voyager: Elite Forces and Soldier off Fortune II: Double Helix. In front of the undeniable success of these titles, LucasArts entrusts to Raven Software the realization of the continuation of Jedi Knight. And thus the day Jedi Knight II sees: Jedi Outcast, then Jedi Knight III: Jedi Academy always based on the same engine.

From 2004, Raven Software signs a contract with Activision which holds the rights of adaptations of the licenses Marvel in video games. Thus the RPG X-Men Legends (in two episodes) will leave and Marvel Ultimate Alliance which is one of the titles of the planning of arrival of the console Wii of Nintendo on the ground Européen. Meanwhile, the studio collaborated once again with Id Software for carried out the continuation of Quake 3. If the play is criticized in a negative way by the specialized press at its exit, Quake 4 manages all the same to replace Quake 3 in the competitions of E-sport such as for example at the time of the World cup of Video games 2007 (ESWC).

Members

List nonexhaustive members of Raven Software:

  • Brian Raffel - Artist, cofounder, director of project

  • Steve Raffel - Artist, cofounder
  • Shane Gurno - Artist
  • Brian Furrier - Artist
  • Jim Sumwalt - Artist
  • Scott Rice - Artist
  • Kevin Schilder - Sounds
  • Morgan Mark - Artist
  • Rebecca Rettenmund - Artist
  • Kim Lathrop - Artist
  • Ted Halsted - Artist
  • Mike Werckle - Organizer
  • Brian Shubat - Organizer
  • Ben Gokey - Programmer
  • Chris Rhinehart - Programmer

Developed plays

External bonds

  • Official site of Raven Software

  • Raven-Games.com

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