Crystal Dynamics, Inc.

Overview

Crystal Dynamics (Crystal), founded in 1992 by Judy Lang, Madaline Canepa and Dave Morris, is a leading publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software for the console and personal computer (“PC”) market. The founders wanted the name of the company to reflect the “New Technology” Compact Discs (CD) that games would be played on. So they came up with a list of C and D names, tried different combinations and felt that Crystal Dynamics worked well together; Crystal for hard, solid foundation and Dynamics for fluid, ever changing industry. At its headquarters in Menlo Park, CA, the company operates similar to an independent film studio, internally develops and markets wholly owned properties, which are then distributed to the retail marketplace through strategic relationships with distribution partners. The company was the first to develop and publish a 32-bit console-format video game, establishing its position as an innovator in the global entertainment software industry. The first game to be developed was “Crash ‘N Burn” for the 3DO. In late 1998 ...

Crystal Dynamics became incorporated into Eidos, also a leading publisher, developer and distributor of interactive entertainment software for the console and personal computer (“PC”). Crystal now had a more effective way of distributing their product. Crystal Dynamics, most widely known for its titles in character action and adventure categories, designs its interactive entertainment software for current generation video game consoles, such as Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2), Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3), Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox (Xbox), Microsoft Xbox 2 (Xbox 360) and PC’s. Always aiming high: Crystal develops its products internally and seeks to publish and develop interactive entertainment software titles that are, or have the potential to become, franchise titles that can be leveraged across several releases and/or platforms. Crystal Dynamics’ successful franchise properties include Tomb Raider, Legacy of Kain series, GEX, Pandemonium and Project Snowblind.

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