Throwback Acquires Final Acclaim Assets

Author: by David Jenkins, Simon Carless

Canadian game publisher Throwback Entertainment has announced it has acquired the rights and interest to the multiple remaining Acclaim Entertainment titles, following the major publisher’s bankruptcy in 2004 and subsequent bankruptcy auctions. The titles bought by Throwback include Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance, Vexx, Extreme-G Racing, Legends of Wrestling, Re-Volt and Summer Heat Volleyball. Although none of the titles proved a major hit in their original forms, Extreme-G Racing and Re-Volt at least received positive press coverage, and could certainly be construed as suitable for further sequels. Following the 2004 bankruptcy, all of Acclaim’s various intellectual and physical assets have been sold, most notably the company’s name and logo, which is now being used by former Activision executive Howard Marks to publish Korean online titles in the West. However, the auction of the final leftover assets, which included the above titles, dragged on for some significant time, with a final auction taking place the week of E3 2006. Under the terms of the auction, it would appear that Throwback has also acquired some of Acclaim's less salubrious titles, including the infamously poor Rise Of The Robots franchise, but there is no mention of this in the company's official comments. “Acquiring the Acclaim titles provides a significant addition to our company, and will allow us to target different markets and opportunities.” said Thomas Maduri, CEO of Throwback Entertainment. “Acclaim Entertainment was responsible for the creation of some wonderful original games, and unfortunately couldn’t see them through their lifecycle. We are very pleased to have been afforded the opportunity to take these titles through the next generation, and onwards.”