{{short description|British video game publisher}} {{Use British English|date=August 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}} {{Infobox company | name = SCi Games Limited | logo = SCi.png | former_name = {{Unbulleted list|The Sales Curve Limited (1988–1994)|SCi (Sales Curve Interactive) Limited (1994–1996)}} | type = Public | traded_as = {{LSE was|SEG}} | industry = Video games | fate = Merged with Square Enix in 2009 | successor = Square Enix Limited | founded = 1988 | founder = Jane Cavanagh | defunct = 2009 | hq_location_city = London | hq_location_country = England | key_people = {{ubl|Jane Cavanagh (chairwoman, 1988–2006; CEO, 1988–2008)|Tim Ryan (chairman, 2006-2009)|Phil Rogers (CEO, 2008-2009)}} | owner = Warner Bros Entertainment (20%) | num_employees = 900 | num_employees_year = 2008 | subsid = Eidos Interactive }}
'''SCi Games Limited''' (formerly '''The Sales Curve Limited''' and '''SCi (Sales Curve Interactive) Limited''') was a British video game publisher based in London. The company was founded in 1988 by Jane Cavanagh and floated on the stock exchange in 1996. In May 2005, holding company SCi Entertainment Group plc acquired Eidos plc, the parent company of publisher Eidos Interactive, and merged their operations by June 2006; that company was briefly renamed '''Eidos'''. It was acquired by Square Enix in March 2009 and subsequently absorbed in November of that year.
==History== Jane Cavanagh, formerly an executive for British Telecom's Telecomsoft division,<ref name="telecomsoft">{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/big-shot-28jqqv9k9lk |title=Big shot |first=Mary |last=Duby |date=25 October 2005 |access-date=25 August 2018 |via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}</ref> founded The Sales Curve in 1988, following a trip to Japan that convinced her of the potential of the video game industry.<ref name="founder">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jan/19/digitalmedia.mediabusiness |title=SCi shares flourish after founder is forced out |first=Simon |last=Bowers |date=19 January 2008 |website=the Guardian |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> Cavanagh established and ran the company without external funding, and owned 100% of the company's shares.<ref name="founder" /><ref name="obe">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/103206/SCis_Jane_Cavanagh_Receives_OBE.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826005110/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/103206/SCis_Jane_Cavanagh_Receives_OBE.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 August 2018 |title=SCi's Jane Cavanagh Receives OBE |first=Jason |last=Dobson |website=gamasutra.com |date=2 January 2007 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> The Sales Curve published its games under the label Storm and was renamed SCi (Sales Curve Interactive) in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Innovation in the British Video Game Industry since 1978 {{!}} Business History Review {{!}} Cambridge Core | url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/business-history-review/article/innovation-in-the-british-video-game-industry-since-1978/856696B240D2B81ACA7AE7607FE7F20A | access-date=2025-12-07 | website=www.cambridge.org}}</ref> Its parent company, SCi Entertainment, floated on the Alternative Investment Market in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1996-07-19 |title=SALES CURVE INTERACTIVE TO FLOAT ON JUNIOR LONDON MARKET |url=https://techmonitor.ai/technology/sales_curve_interactive_to_float_on_junior_london_market |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="telecomsoft" />
By February 1999, SCi Entertainment reported a turnover of {{GBP|3.262 million}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/shanks-sold-to-us-buyer-for-pounds-235m-1068437.html |title=Shanks sold to US buyer for pounds 235m |website=independent.co.uk |date=3 February 1999 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> In February 2004, the company acquired Pivotal Games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=19 February 2004 |title=SCi acquires Pivotal Games |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sci-acquires-pivotal-games/1100-6076126/ |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2004, SCi announced publishing agreements of its games for the Gizmondo handheld.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kohler |first1=Chris |title=SCi announces new publishing agreements |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sci-announces-new-publishing-agreements/1100-6110193/ |website=GameSpot |date=11 October 2004}}</ref> In January 2005, SCi invested in Rocksteady Studios, acquiring 25.1% of the company's shares.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roll Call back on track as SCi funds new development studio |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/roll-call-back-on-track-as-sci-funds-new-development-studio |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=17 January 2005 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Eidos takeover === In April 2005, SCi entered into a {{GBP|103 million|long=no}} bid for Eidos plc, the parent company of Eidos Interactive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2913621/They-probably-paid-too-much.html |title='They probably paid too much' |first=Guy |last=Dennis |date=9 April 2005 |access-date=25 August 2018 |via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> Eidos was acquired by SCi in May 2005,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/can-tomb-raiders-owner-dodge-the-grave-774508.html |title=Can Tomb Raider's owner dodge the grave? |website=independent.co.uk |date=27 January 2008 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news200605scieidos |title=SCi reveals Eidos plan |website=eurogamer.net |date=20 June 2005 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> and fully merged with SCi by June 2006 with the Eidos brand used for all future games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/the-investment-column-with-lara-croft-on-the-rampage-sci-entertainment-may-be-cheap-408412.html |title=The Investment Column: With Lara Croft on the rampage, Sci |website=independent.co.uk |date=17 July 2006 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> Following Eidos' acquisition, all executives of the acquired company resigned, and were replaced by SCi's management.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05/20/eidos_board_resigns/ |title=Eidos board quits |website=theregister.co.uk |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> In October 2005, SCi employed around 600 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2005/oct/25/games.technology |title=Bounty hunters set their sights on Tomb Raider company |first=Jane |last=Martinson |date=25 October 2005 |website=the Guardian |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> By February 2006, it was the largest video game company in Britain, when Robert Tchenguiz's Thorson Investments owned a 14.6% stake after acquiring a holding from Robert Bonnier.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/feb/16/newmedia.media |title=SCi Entertainment calls time on talks with potential bidders |first=Simon |last=Bowers |date=16 February 2006 |website=the Guardian |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> In December 2006, Warner Bros. started investing in SCi in exchange for granting game licences to Warner Bros. films to SCi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/warner-bros-entertainment-to-invest-in-sci-entertainment-group-leading-video-games-publisher |title=Warner Bros. Entertainment To Invest In SCi EntertainmentGroup, Leading Video Games Publisher |website=gamesindustry.biz |date=15 December 2006 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> Warner Bros. owned 10.3% in September 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2815090/SCi-Entertainment-shares-soar-on-takeover-approach.html |title=SCi Entertainment shares soar on takeover approach |first=Emma |last=Thelwell |date=4 September 2007 |access-date=25 August 2018 |via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
In July 2006, Cavanagh stepped down as chairwoman of SCi, while remaining chief executive officer (CEO).<ref name="ceo">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/cavanagh-steps-down-as-sci-chair-remains-as-ceo |title=Cavanagh steps down as SCi chair, remains as CEO |website=gamesindustry.biz |date=3 July 2006 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> She was replaced by Tim Ryan, formerly non-executive director, as non-executive chairman of the board.<ref name="ceo" /> In the 2007 New Year Honours, Cavanagh was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services in the video game industry, particularly SCi.<ref name="obe" /> Cavanagh was ousted as CEO in January 2008, and left the company alongside her husband, Bill Ennis, and studio chief Rob Murphy; they are likely to get more than £1.5 million in compensation according to London Evening Standard.<ref name="founder" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/lara-croft-firm-scis-boss-fired-in-clearout-6648701.html |title=Lara Croft firm SCi's boss fired in clearout |website=London Evening Standard |date=12 April 2012 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> Following their departure, SCi's shares doubled in value.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/2782834/SCi-Entertainment-shares-soar-on-shake-up.html |title=SCi Entertainment shares soar on shake-up |first=Emma |last=Thelwell |date=25 August 2018 |access-date=25 August 2018 |via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="employees">{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2782917/Lara-Croft-owner-soars-as-founder-ousted.html |title=Lara Croft owner soars as founder ousted |first=Juliette Garside and Ben |last=Bland |date=25 August 2018 |access-date=25 August 2018 |via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> At the time, SCi had 900 employees.<ref name="employees" /> On 2 December 2008, SCi filed for changing its name to Eidos,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sci-files-to-change-name-to-eidos |title=SCi files to change name to Eidos |website=gamesindustry.biz |date=2 December 2008 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> which was finalised the following day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/sci-finalizes-name-change-to-eidos-as-buyout-rumors-mount |title=SCi Finalizes Name Change To Eidos As Buyout Rumors Mount |first=Eric |last=Caoili |website=gamasutra.com |date=3 December 2008 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/12/03/sci-just-call-me-eidos/ |title=SCi: Just call me 'Eidos' |website=engadget.com |date=3 December 2008 |access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref>
During 2008, the company raised £60 million at 35p a share. Warner Bros Entertainment increased its stake to 30 per cent of shares.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stiff |first1=Peter |date=18 October 2008 |title=Time Warner ups stake in SCi Entertainment |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business/companies-markets/article/time-warner-ups-stake-in-sci-entertainment-p9hwh2gb0k7 |website=thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> Eidos shareholders approved the acquisition by Square Enix on 27 March 2009 at 32p a share, a valuation of just over £84 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b711622c-1af9-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211191217/https://www.ft.com/content/b711622c-1af9-11de-8aa3-0000779fd2ac |archive-date=11 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Eidos approves takeover by Square Enix |website=Financial Times |access-date=25 August 2018 }}</ref> At that point, Warner's share had decreased to 20 per cent, but 35 per cent of total shareholding were on the backing part of the offer.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=16 February 2009 |title=Warner backs Square Enix’s bid for Eidos |url=https://mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/warner-backs-square-enixs-bid-for-eidos/ |access-date=2026-02-08 |work=MCV |language=en |issn=1469-4832}}</ref> Eidos was absorbed by Square Enix together in November of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-07-11 |title=Square Enix Europe formed |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=219021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711120510/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=219021 |archive-date=11 July 2009 |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=ComputerAndVideoGames}}</ref>
== List of games == {{Incomplete list|date=November 2024}} {| class="wikitable" |+Games developed and/or published !Date !Title !Publisher(s) !Platform(s) !Ref. |- | rowspan="4" |1989 |''Shinobi'' |Sega | rowspan="8" |Personal computers |<ref name="SCH">{{Cite web | title=THE SALES CURVE {{!}} Retro Gamer Issue 235 | url=https://pocketmags.com/us/retro-gamer-magazine/issue-235/articles/the-sales-curve | access-date=2025-12-07 | website=pocketmags.com}}</ref> |- |''Gemini Wing'' | rowspan="2" |Tecmo |<ref name="SCH"/> |- |''Silkworm'' |<ref>{{Cite web | title=Ronald Pieket (Sales Curve) - Interview - Arcade Attack | url=https://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/ronald-pieket/ | access-date=2025-12-07 | website=www.arcadeattack.co.uk}}</ref> |- |''Big Run'' |Jaleco |<ref>{{Cite web | title=Big Run - Amiga Game Review - Lemon Amiga | url=https://www.lemonamiga.com/games/reviews/view.php?id=115 | access-date=2025-12-07 | website=www.lemonamiga.com}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |1990 |''Narc'' |Ocean Software |<ref>{{Cite web | title=C64.COM - For the best in C64 nostalgia | url=https://www.c64.com/scene_display_interview.php?interview=222 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901141526/http://www.c64.com:80/scene_display_interview.php?interview=222 | access-date=2025-12-07 | archive-date=2010-09-01}}</ref> |- |''The Ninja Warriors'' |Virgin Mastertronic |<ref name="SCH"/> |- | rowspan="3" |1991 |''Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone'' |Tradewest/The Sales Curve |<ref>{{Cite web | title=Double Dragon Dojo: Double Dragon 3 Amiga version review | url=https://doubledragon.kontek.net/games/dd3/rdd3amiga.html | access-date=2025-12-07 | website=doubledragon.kontek.net}}</ref> |- |''Rod Land'' | rowspan="2" |The Sales Curve | |- |''SWIV'' | |<ref>{{Cite web | title=The story of SWIV {{!}} Eurogamer.net | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-story-of-swiv | access-date=2025-12-07 | website=www.eurogamer.net}}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" |1992 |''Double Dragon 3: The Arcade Game'' |Acclaim Entertainment |Game Boy |<ref>{{Cite web | title=Double Dragon Dojo: Double Dragon 3 Game Boy version review | url=https://doubledragon.kontek.net/games/dd3/rdd3gb.html | access-date=2025-12-07 | website=doubledragon.kontek.net}}</ref> |- |''Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat'' | rowspan="3" |The Sales Curve | rowspan="2" |Personal computers | |- |''Cover Girl Strip Poker'' | |- |''Super SWIV'' |SNES, Sega Genesis | |- | rowspan="2" |1993 |''Time Slip'' |Vic Tokai |SNES | |- |''The Lawnmower Man'' |The Sales Curve |SNES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Sega CD |<ref>{{Cite web | title=The Lawnmower Man licensed games - Backdoor to tie-in lunacy - The Genesis Temple | url=https://genesistemple.com/the-lawnmower-man-licensed-games-backdoor-to-tie-in-lunacy | access-date=2025-12-07 | website=genesistemple.com}}</ref> |- |1994 |''Cyberwar'' |Interplay Productions |Personal computers, PlayStation | |- | rowspan="3" |1996 |''Kingdom O' Magic'' | | | |- |''XS'' | | | |- |''SWIV 3D'' | |Microsoft Windows, DOS | |- |1998 |''Star Trek Pinball'' |Interplay Entertainment |DOS | |} {| class="wikitable" |+Games published only !Date !Title !Developer(s) !Platform(s) !Ref. |- |1992 |''Troddlers'' |Atod |Amiga | |- |1993 |''The Aquatic Games'' |Millennium Interactive |Super Nintendo Entertainment System |<ref>{{Cite web| title=Collectors' corner! | url=https://www.geeksline-publishing.com/Collectors%20Guide_SNES-A3.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201160415/https://www.geeksline-publishing.com/Collectors%20Guide_SNES-A3.pdf | archive-date=2024-12-01}}</ref> |- |1996 |''Gender Wars'' |The 8th Day | | |- |1997 |''Carmageddon'' |Stainless Games | | |- | rowspan="2" |1999 |''Live Wire!'' |The Code Monkeys | | |- |''Cool Bricks'' | rowspan="2" |Pukka Games | | |- |2000 |''Thunderbirds'' | | |- |2002 |''Conflict: Desert Storm'' |Pivotal Games | | |- |2003 |''Rolling'' |Rage Software | | |- |2004 |Richard Burns Rally |Warthog Games |PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, Gizmondo | |- |2005 |Constantine (video game) |Bits Studios |PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows |<ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125225556/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r24775.htm |date=25 January 2009 |title=Constantine Review}}</ref><ref>{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331230223/http://www.bitsstudios.com/constantine/default.asp |date=31 March 2008 |title=Constantine - The Videogame}}</ref> |- |}
== See also ==
* NDreams
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20051212092326/http://www.sci.co.uk/games/ Official website archived in 2005] *{{MobyGames company |company=sci-games-ltd |name=SCi Games Ltd. }}
Category:Square Enix Category:Eidos Category:British companies established in 1988 Category:Video game companies established in 1988