F9E Reinstates Griptonite, Fizz Factor Brands

In a strategy meant to foster individuality and studio autonomy within the company, Foundation 9 Entertainment (F9E) has announced that it is rebranding two of its Amaze Entertainment studios under their original names - Fizz Factor and Griptonite Games. The company’s console studio in Kirkland, WA will continue with the Amaze Entertainment name. Both Griptonite Games and Fizz Factor were absorbed into Amaze Entertainment’s network of studios in 2005. Foundation 9 Entertainment then acquired Amaze in November 2006. Griptonite’s current projects include 11 games for handheld platforms, including Age of Empires: Mythologies for Nintendo DS, published by THQ. Fizz Factor is developing four unannounced titles and recently shipped The Incredible Hulk for DS, published by Sega. Amaze Entertainment is working on four unannounced projects for home consoles based on major film and comic book properties. F9E’s full list of studios now includes Amaze Entertainment, Backbone Entertainment, Double Helix Games, Fizz Factor, Griptonite Games, ImaginEngine, Pipeworks Software, Sumo Digital, and Sumo India. Said Foundation 9 Entertainment vice president Steve Ettinger, who oversees the three studios: “Each of our studios has its own unique culture and specialties. Internally we've used these names for a while, and we think now is a great time to bring these studio names to the larger world, to reduce confusion for our clients and consumers, and to really enable our team members to feel great ownership in their studio name and identity."