Difference between revisions of "Volition"

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'''Volition''' is the developer and publisher of the ''FreeSpace'' series. The most notable programs Volition developed was FreeSpace and [[Wikipedia:Red Faction|Red Faction]].
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[[Image:Volition.PNG|right|The Volition logo]]
  
In 1993 Parallax software was founded, and made both Descent 1 and 2, in 1996, Parallax software and Outrage entertainment merged to form '''Volition''', which started work on the Freespace series. FreeSpace 1 was released in 1998 and FreeSpace 2 in 1999. In 2000, the company was aquired by THQ and continued working on several more games.
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==History==
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'''Volition, Inc.''' was the developer and publisher of the ''FreeSpace'' series. Volition is usually referred to simply as '''V''' or '''[V]''' by fans. It was one of two companies formed from the splitting of [[Wikipedia:Parallax Software|Parallax Software]].
  
Currently, Volition is working on Saints Row 2 for the Xbox360, after the moderately sucessful Saints Row. Other games that Volition has developed (besides FreeSpace and Red Faction) are Summoner 1 and 2, the Descent series and a sequel to Red Faction.
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Parallax Software was founded by Matt Toschlog and Mike Kulas in 1993. It was best known for being the developer and publisher of the ''Descent'' series of video games, starting with ''[[Wikipedia:Descent (video game)|Descent]]'' in 1995, and ''[[Wikipedia:Descent II|Descent II]]'' a year later. In 1997, Parallax split into two companies, each headed by one of Parallax's co-founders. The first company, Outrage Entertainment, was headed by Matt Toschlog and based at Ann Arbor, Michigan, while the second, Volition, Inc., was headed by Mike Kulas and based in Champaign, Illinois.
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Volition's first project after the split was ''[[Portal:FreeSpace 1|Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War]]''. It was released in 1998 and followed up by ''[[Portal:FreeSpace 2|FreeSpace 2]]'' in 1999. In 2000, the company was acquired by THQ. After the bankruptcy of THQ, [http://www.kochmedia.com/ Koch Media] acquired Volition in 2013[http://kotaku.com/5978425/thq-is-getting-sold-off-today++heres-everything-we-know].
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Since its acquisition by THQ, Volition worked on and released several noteworthy game titles, including the ''[[Wikipedia:Summoner (video game)|Summoner]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Red Faction (series)|Red Faction]]'' and ''[[Wikipedia:Saints Row (series)|Saints Row]]'' series.
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[[Image:FareWellVolition.jpg|right|200px|Volition's announcement of closure]]
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==Closure==
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On September 1st, 2023, Volition formally announced its closure as a "Farewell" on its [https://www.volitiongames.com/news/farewell website], [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=788479879948110&set=a.391773359618766 Facebook page] and [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/volition_an-update-from-volition-activity-7103051392797351936-hkgT?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop LinkedIn profile] (please note that, over time, these links may become unavailable). The announcement has also been reported on websites such as [https://www.ign.com/articles/saints-row-developer-volition-shut-down-by-embracer-group IGN], [https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/08/saints-row-red-faction-studio-volition-closes-suddenly-after-30-years/ Ars Technica] and [https://www.techspot.com/news/99993-holding-company-shuts-down-30-year-veteran-studio.html Techspot]. FreeSpace fans quickly reacted to the news by posting a dedicated thread on [https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=98918.0 Hard-Light Productions]. According to Volition's statements, the closure was due to Embracer Group's restructuring program meant to maintain the position of said group as a leader in the videogame industry.
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
*[[wikipedia:Volition Inc.|Volition]] on Wikipedia
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*[[Wikipedia:Volition, Inc.|Volition, Inc. article]] on Wikipedia
*[http://www.volition-inc.com Volition inc. website]
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*[http://www.volition-inc.com Official website]
  
 
[[Category: Real life]]
 
[[Category: Real life]]

Latest revision as of 08:43, 4 September 2023

The Volition logo

History

Volition, Inc. was the developer and publisher of the FreeSpace series. Volition is usually referred to simply as V or [V] by fans. It was one of two companies formed from the splitting of Parallax Software.

Parallax Software was founded by Matt Toschlog and Mike Kulas in 1993. It was best known for being the developer and publisher of the Descent series of video games, starting with Descent in 1995, and Descent II a year later. In 1997, Parallax split into two companies, each headed by one of Parallax's co-founders. The first company, Outrage Entertainment, was headed by Matt Toschlog and based at Ann Arbor, Michigan, while the second, Volition, Inc., was headed by Mike Kulas and based in Champaign, Illinois.

Volition's first project after the split was Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War. It was released in 1998 and followed up by FreeSpace 2 in 1999. In 2000, the company was acquired by THQ. After the bankruptcy of THQ, Koch Media acquired Volition in 2013[1].

Since its acquisition by THQ, Volition worked on and released several noteworthy game titles, including the Summoner, Red Faction and Saints Row series.

Volition's announcement of closure

Closure

On September 1st, 2023, Volition formally announced its closure as a "Farewell" on its website, Facebook page and LinkedIn profile (please note that, over time, these links may become unavailable). The announcement has also been reported on websites such as IGN, Ars Technica and Techspot. FreeSpace fans quickly reacted to the news by posting a dedicated thread on Hard-Light Productions. According to Volition's statements, the closure was due to Embracer Group's restructuring program meant to maintain the position of said group as a leader in the videogame industry.

External links