Kronos Digital Entertainment
Encyclopedia
Kronos Digital Entertainment was a U.S.
–based video game developer founded by Stan Liu in 1992. They first garnered attention for their contract work for Sierra On-Line, most notably the groundbreaking intro sequence they created for King's Quest 6. They eventually began to develop original properties, beginning with their visually appealing early 3D fighting game
s, Criticom
, Dark Rift
and Cardinal Syn
(referred to as the "Trilogy of Terror" by one gaming journalist). The organization later gained greater critical and commercial success for the Fear Effect
series with Eidos
, although Kronos retains all rights to the franchise. Kronos was busy developing the third installment in that series, Fear Effect Inferno
, when publisher Eidos discontinued funding for the project following a major restructuring of their budget. The developer then shopped it around to other publishers but were unable to secure another deal to get the game finished. The company disbanded soon after, with Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix
being their final released game.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
–based video game developer founded by Stan Liu in 1992. They first garnered attention for their contract work for Sierra On-Line, most notably the groundbreaking intro sequence they created for King's Quest 6. They eventually began to develop original properties, beginning with their visually appealing early 3D fighting game
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
s, Criticom
Criticom
Criticom is a 3D versus fighting game developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment and released in November 1995 in the USA, March 1996 in Europe and October 1996 in Japan by Vic Tokai for the PlayStation. The Sega Saturn version was released in early 1997....
, Dark Rift
Dark Rift
Dark Rift is a 3D fighting game for the N64, notable for being the first N64 game to use 60frame/s, as well as being N64's first native fighting game...
and Cardinal Syn
Cardinal Syn
Cardinal Syn is a fighting game developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment, the creators of Criticom and Dark Rift, and published by Sony through their 989 Studios in 1998.- Gameplay :...
(referred to as the "Trilogy of Terror" by one gaming journalist). The organization later gained greater critical and commercial success for the Fear Effect
Fear Effect
Fear Effect is an action-adventure game released for the PlayStation in 1999. It was developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment and published by Eidos Interactive. The story concerns three outlaws named Hana, Deke, and Glas who are trying to retrieve the missing daughter of a wealthy Chinese...
series with Eidos
Eidos Interactive
Eidos Interactive Ltd. is a British video game publisher and is a label of Square Enix Europe. As an independent company Eidos plc was headquartered in the Wimbledon Bridge House in Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton....
, although Kronos retains all rights to the franchise. Kronos was busy developing the third installment in that series, Fear Effect Inferno
Fear Effect Inferno
Fear Effect Inferno is the unreleased third game in the Fear Effect series. Inferno was originally announced for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, and the first trailer was released during the 2002 E3. The trailer depicted some of the only known footage of the game. The game's status changed rapidly...
, when publisher Eidos discontinued funding for the project following a major restructuring of their budget. The developer then shopped it around to other publishers but were unable to secure another deal to get the game finished. The company disbanded soon after, with Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix
Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix
Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix is an action-adventure game for the PlayStation in 2001. It was developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment and published by Eidos Interactive. Fear Effect 2 is a prequel chronicling the events that lead up to the original Fear Effect...
being their final released game.
Resume
- King's Quest 6: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow (1992) for PC
- Phantasmagoria (1995) for PC
- CriticomCriticomCriticom is a 3D versus fighting game developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment and released in November 1995 in the USA, March 1996 in Europe and October 1996 in Japan by Vic Tokai for the PlayStation. The Sega Saturn version was released in early 1997....
(1995) for PlayStation and Sega SaturnSega SaturnThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe... - X-PertsX-PertsX-Perts is a side-scrolling fighting action video game produced by Sega of America and released only in North America for the Mega Drive/Genesis in...
(1995) for Sega Genesis - Dark RiftDark RiftDark Rift is a 3D fighting game for the N64, notable for being the first N64 game to use 60frame/s, as well as being N64's first native fighting game...
(1997) for Nintendo 64Nintendo 64The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil... - Meat Puppet (1997) for PC
- Cardinal SynCardinal SynCardinal Syn is a fighting game developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment, the creators of Criticom and Dark Rift, and published by Sony through their 989 Studios in 1998.- Gameplay :...
(1998) for PlayStation - Fear EffectFear EffectFear Effect is an action-adventure game released for the PlayStation in 1999. It was developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment and published by Eidos Interactive. The story concerns three outlaws named Hana, Deke, and Glas who are trying to retrieve the missing daughter of a wealthy Chinese...
(2000) for PlayStation - Fear Effect 2: Retro HelixFear Effect 2: Retro HelixFear Effect 2: Retro Helix is an action-adventure game for the PlayStation in 2001. It was developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment and published by Eidos Interactive. Fear Effect 2 is a prequel chronicling the events that lead up to the original Fear Effect...
(2001) for PlayStation - Fear Effect 3: InfernoFear Effect InfernoFear Effect Inferno is the unreleased third game in the Fear Effect series. Inferno was originally announced for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, and the first trailer was released during the 2002 E3. The trailer depicted some of the only known footage of the game. The game's status changed rapidly...
(2002) for PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
(Unreleased)
External links
- Interview with Stan Liu, founder of Kronos, at Gamecritics.com