{{Short description|Former British video game developer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = Eutechnyx Limited | logo = Eutechnyx Logo New.jpg | type = Private | genre = | foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1987|09|30}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02172322 |title=Eutechnyx Limited - Overview (free company information from Companies House) |publisher=Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk |access-date=2019-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210021424/https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02172322 |archive-date=10 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> | founder = | defunct = {{End date|2025|05|20}} | fate = Dissolved | location_city = Newcastle upon Tyne | location_country = England | location = | locations = | area_served = | key_people = Darren Jobling {{small|(CEO)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/eutechnyx-reveals-new-leadership-structure/0123105 |title=Eutechnyx reveals new leadership structure |date=24 October 2013 |publisher=MCV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203072449/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/eutechnyx-reveals-new-leadership-structure/0123105 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=3 December 2013}}</ref> | industry = Video games | products = | services = | market cap = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = | footnotes = | intl = }}
'''Eutechnyx Limited''' (formerly '''Zeppelin Games Limited''', until 1994, and '''Merit Studios (Europe) Limited''', until 1997) was a British video game developer based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Since 1997, the company focused on racing games. They were known for its universally panned video game ''Ride to Hell: Retribution'', for work with the ''NASCAR The Game'' franchise, and as a developer on various other racing titles and games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gateshead game developer Eutechnyx sells NASCAR computer game in multi-mullion pound game|url=http://www.journal.co.uk/business/business-news/gateshead-game-developer-eutechnyx-sells-8535024|website=The Journal|access-date=12 June 2015}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Eutechnyx's overhaul of free-to-play Auto Club Revolution adds VR support for Oculus Rift|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/05/14/eutechnyx-aims-high-with-its-free-to-play-auto-club-revolution-car-racing-game/|website=Venturebeat|date=14 May 2014|access-date=2 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616190557/http://venturebeat.com/2014/05/14/eutechnyx-aims-high-with-its-free-to-play-auto-club-revolution-car-racing-game/|archive-date=16 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
After not releasing any games in 10 years (''NASCAR '15'' being its last title), the company was finally shut down on May 20, 2025, with Eutechnyx Limited being dissolved and Eutechnyx Holdings Limited also undergoing insolvency.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02172322 |title=Eutechnyx Limited - Overview (free company information from Companies House) |publisher=Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk }}</ref>
== History ==
=== Zeppelin Games (1987–1994) === The company founder, Brian Jobling, started creating games for the Atari 8-bit computers, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64 at home in the early 1980s as a 14-year-old.<ref name="Guardian Nov 2009">{{cite news |last=Wray |first=Richard |title=Video games developer Eutechnyx shows the value of self-help |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/nov/13/business-startups-eutechnyx-zeppelin-games |work=The Guardian |date=13 November 2009 |access-date=14 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216215140/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/nov/13/business-startups-eutechnyx-zeppelin-games |archive-date=16 February 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> With the money that he made, he started the company, Zeppelin Games, in November 1987 when he was 17.<ref name="eutechnyx-history">{{cite web|url= http://www.eutechnyx.com/aboutUs/companyHistory.aspx|title=Company History|publisher=Eutechnyx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030183855/http://www.eutechnyx.com/aboutUs/companyHistory.aspx|archive-date=30 October 2007|access-date=6 March 2009}}</ref><ref name="Guardian Nov 2009" /> Zeppelin Games produced a large number of games for various home computer systems including Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST and Amiga and by the early 90s were also making games for IBM PC compatibles and consoles such as the Mega Drive/Genesis and SNES. Popular games included ''Jocky Wilson's Darts Challenge'', ''International Tennis'', ''Universal Warrior'' and ''Sink or Swim''. They also worked with publisher Codemasters to produce the first two ''Micro Machines'' games and ''Pete Sampras Tennis''.
The company, being primarily a budget publisher, operated several labels for different price ranges; among them were '''Cognito'''<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rixon |first=Paul |date=26 January 1989 |title=Draconus |url=https://archive.org/details/page6-magazine-36 |journal=New Atari User |issue=36 |department=Software reviews |page=47 |issn=0952-4967 |access-date=1 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406140801/https://archive.org/details/page6-magazine-36 |archive-date=6 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |date=28 September 1989 |title=Ad for ''Kenny Dalglish Soccer Manager'' |url=https://archive.org/details/page6-magazine-40 |journal=New Atari User |issue=40 |page=23 |issn=0952-4967 |access-date=1 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326055113/https://archive.org/details/page6-magazine-40 |archive-date=26 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> and '''Impulze'''<ref>{{cite journal |date=August 2013 |title=In Pole Position - Zeppelin Games |url=http://www.retrogamer.net/profiles/company/zepplin-games/ |journal=Retro Gamer |issue=119 |page=62 |issn=1742-3155 |access-date=1 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702113448/http://www.retrogamer.net/profiles/company/zepplin-games/ |archive-date=2 July 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> for full-price releases, '''Zeppelin Premier''' and '''Zeppelin Platinum'''.
=== Merit Studios Europe (1994–1996) === The company was acquired by American company Merit Studios, Inc. in 1994 and became known as Merit Studios Europe.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 July 1994 |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MERIT+SOFTWARE+INC.+FINALIZES+ACQUISITION+OF+ZEPPELIN+GAMES+LIMITED-a015534476 |title=MERIT SOFTWARE INC. FINALIZES ACQUISITION OF ZEPPELIN GAMES LIMITED |publisher=The Free Library |access-date=19 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819221813/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MERIT+SOFTWARE+INC.+FINALIZES+ACQUISITION+OF+ZEPPELIN+GAMES+LIMITED-a015534476 |archive-date=19 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> As well as developing its own games, the company was also responsible for the marketing and distribution of Merit's US games in Europe.
=== Eutechnyx (1996–2025) === The company became Eutechnyx in 1996. After gaining registered developer and publisher status for the Sony PlayStation, the directors bought back the company from Merit with help from French publishers Infogrames. This started a 3-year agreement with Eutechnyx developing exclusively for Infogrames on the PlayStation and PC platforms. The end of this agreement meant that as of 2000, the company became a fully independent developer and currently releases games across many formats for publishing companies such as Electronic Arts and Namco.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://press.eutechnyx.com/sites/default/files/article/depending-on-independence/eutechnyxcompanyprofile2009.pdf |title=Eutechnyx Company Profile 2009 |year=2009 |work=Eutechnyx - Press and Marketing Portal |publisher=Eutechnyx |access-date=20 February 2011 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/objects/026/026300.html|title=Eutechnyx at IGN|publisher=IGN|access-date=11 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204102954/http://games.ign.com/objects/026/026300.html|archive-date=4 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 1996, the company has specialised in driving and racing games of many types, including licensed titles such as ''James Bond 007'', ''Max Power'', ''Cartoon Network'' and ''The Fast and the Furious''.
As of 2009, Eutechnyx had studios in Gateshead, England; Hong Kong; Chengdu; and the United States.<ref name="Guardian Nov 2009" /> It employed almost 200 people.<ref name="Guardian Nov 2009" />
After the failure of ''Ride to Hell: Retribution'', the London studio was closed in June 2013. In June 2013, several employees were loaned to Ubisoft Reflections and in February 2014, a restructuring was announced, with the loss of 12 jobs, taking the headcount to 130.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-02-19-layoffs-hit-nascar-auto-club-revolution-developer-eutechnyx|title=Layoffs hit NASCAR, Auto Club Revolution developer Eutechnyx|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=19 February 2014|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=19 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221100555/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-02-19-layoffs-hit-nascar-auto-club-revolution-developer-eutechnyx|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2012, sister company ZeroLight was formed at the Gateshead offices, to apply the realtime rendering technology developed for racing games to showroom and online configurators for car manufacturers.
In October 2013, Darren Jobling replaced his brother Brian as CEO, to take on a more active role in development, with Brian becoming Executive Chairman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eutechnyx.com/news/eutechnyx-announces-new-executive-leadership-structure|title=Eutechnyx announces new leadership structure|publisher=Eutechnyx|date=31 October 2013|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001213827/http://www.eutechnyx.com/news/eutechnyx-announces-new-executive-leadership-structure|archive-date=1 October 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In July 2014, again after the failure of ''Warhammer 40k: Storm of Vengeance'', following another re-structuring an additional 19 members of staff were lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/19-jobs-in-doubt-as-racing-experts-eutechnyx-re-structures/0135570|title=19 jobs in doubt as racing experts Eutechnyx re-structures|work=MCV UK|access-date=5 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704134328/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/19-jobs-in-doubt-as-racing-experts-eutechnyx-re-structures/0135570|archive-date=4 July 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In January 2015, its NASCAR license were given to Dusenberry Martin Racing, while Eutechnyx continued to develop its final NASCAR title, ''NASCAR '15'', for DMR; subsequent NASCAR titles by it (since renamed 704Games and purchased by Motorsport Network) were developed by Monster Games (until the 2019 title ''NASCAR Heat 4'') instead.<ref name="polygonann">{{cite web|last1=Good|first1=Owen S.|title=NASCAR makes current-gen console debut this fall with NASCAR Heat Evolution|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/20/11719046/nascar-heat-evolution-xbox-one-ps4-launch-date-september-13|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=May 21, 2016|date=May 20, 2016}}</ref> In July 2015, following commercially disappointing results from ambitious multiplayer online racing game ACR, a further 8 redundancies were made, with some of the 22 people announced as being added to sister firm ZeroLight, being relocated from Eutechnyx.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-07-23-zerolight-growth-as-eutechnyx-downsizes|title=22 new jobs at ZeroLight as sister firm Eutechnyx downsizes|publisher=GamesIndustryBiz|date=23 July 2015|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012070854/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-07-23-zerolight-growth-as-eutechnyx-downsizes|archive-date=12 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
In September 2016, Zerolight moved across the river from Eutechnyx' Gateshead office to LiveWorks, on the Quayside at Newcastle upon Tyne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zerolight.com/news/press-releases/zerolight-moves-headquarters-to-multi-million-pound-live-works-development-on-newcastle-quayside|title=zerolight-moves-headquarters|publisher=Zerolight|date=17 August 2016|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002082554/http://zerolight.com/news/press-releases/zerolight-moves-headquarters-to-multi-million-pound-live-works-development-on-newcastle-quayside|archive-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Games developed ==
=== as Zeppelin Games === * 1988 ''Zybex'' (C64, ZX, Atari 8-bit) * 1988 ''Draconus'' (C64, ZX, Atari 8-bit) * 1988 ''Las Vegas Casino'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Atari 8-bit) * 1988 ''Speed Ace'' (Atari 8-bit) * 1989 ''Jocky Wilson's Darts Challenge'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Atari 8-bit, Amiga) * 1989 ''Kenny Dalglish Soccer Manager'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Atari 8-bit, Amiga, Atari ST) * 1989 ''The Living Daylights'' (Atari 8-bit - re-release from Domark) * 1989 ''Mirax Force'' (Atari 8-bit - re-release from Tynesoft) * 1989 ''Mountain Bike Racer'' (C64, ZX, Atari 8-bit, MSX) * 1989 ''Ninja Commando'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Atari 8-bit) * 1989 ''Phantom'' (Atari 8-bit - re-release from Tynesoft/Micro Value) * 1989 ''Sidewinder'' (Atari 8-bit - re-release from Futureware) * 1989 ''Spaghetti Western Simulator'' (C64, MSX, ZX, CPC) * 1990 ''Fantastic Soccer'' (C64, Atari 8-bit) * 1990 ''Fantastic American Football'' (ZX) * 1990 ''Edd The Duck!'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Amig], Atari ST) * 1990 ''World Soccer'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Atari 8-bit, Amiga) * 1990 ''Arcade Fruit Machine'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Atari 8-bit, Amiga, Atari ST, PC) * 1990 ''Blinky's Scary School'' (C64, ZX, Atari 8-bit, Amiga, Atari ST) * 1990 ''Cavernia'' (Atari 8-bit) * 1990 ''Santa's Xmas Caper'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Amiga) * 1991 ''Jocky Wilson's Compendium of Darts'' (C64, ZX, Atari 8-bit, Amiga, Atari ST) * 1991 ''Stack Up'' (ZX, Atari 8-bit, Amiga, Atari ST, PC) * 1991 ''Tai-Chi Tortoise'' (C64, ZX) * 1991 ''Titanic Blinky'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Amiga, Atari ST) * 1991 ''Sharkey's Moll'' (ZX, CPC, Amiga, Atari ST) * 1991 ''Mission Shark'' (Atari 8-bit - import from Polish developer LK Avalon ''Misja'') * 1991 ''Fred'' (Atari 8-bit - import from LK Avalon) * 1991 ''F1 Tornado'' (C64, ZX, CPC, Amiga, Atari ST) * 1992 ''Arnie'' (C64, Amiga) * 1992 ''Edd The Duck 2: Back with a Quack'' (Amiga) * 1992 ''American Tag-Team Wrestling'' (ZX, CPC, Amiga) * 1992 ''International 5-A-Side'' (C64, ZX) * 1992 ''International Truck Racing'' (C64, Amiga, Atari ST) * 1992 ''International Tennis'' (C64, ZX, Amiga, MS-DOS) * 1992 ''International Athletics'' (MS-DOS) * 1992 ''Match Of The Day'' (C64, ZX, Amiga, Atari ST) * 1992 ''Graeme Souness Soccer Manager'' (C64, ZX, Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS) * 1992 ''Carnage'' (C64, Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS) * 1993 ''Fist Fighter'' (C64, Amiga) * 1993 ''Arnie 2'' (C64, Amiga, MS-DOS) * 1993 ''World Rugby'' (C64, ZX) * 1993 ''Universal Warrior'' (Amiga) * 1993 ''Sink or Swim'' a.k.a. ''S.S. Lucifer: Man Overboard'' (Amiga, MS-DOS, SNES, Mega Drive) * 1994 ''International Soccer'' (Amiga, MS-DOS) * 1994 ''Pete Sampras Tennis'' (Mega Drive)
=== as Merit Studios Europe === * 1994 ''The Psychotron'' * 1994 ''The Machines'' (PC) <small>A revised port of ''Universal Warrior''</small> * 1994 ''Micro Machines'' (SNES, GB) * 1995 ''Frankenstein: Life or Death'' (PC) <small>Developed by Junkyard</small> * 1995 ''Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament'' (SNES) * 1996 ''CyberJudas'' (DOS) <small>Published by Merit Studios, developed by D.C. True. Successor to ''Shadow President''.</small> * 1996 ''Bud Tucker in Double Trouble'' (PC)
=== as Eutechnyx === * 1997 ''Total Drivin'' (PS1) * 1998 ''Motor Mash'' (PS1, PC) * 1998 ''Max Power Racing'' a.k.a. ''C3 Racing - Car Constructors Championship'' (PS1) * 1999 ''Le Mans 24 Hours'' (PS1, PC) * 2000 ''007 Racing'' (PS1) * 2000 ''TNN Hardcore TR'' (PS1) US only release. * 2001 ''F1 World Grand Prix 2000'' (PS1, PC) * 2002 ''Big Mutha Truckers'' (PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC) * 2004 ''Street Racing Syndicate'' (PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC) * 2005 ''Ford Mustang: The Legend Lives'' (PS2, Xbox) * 2005 ''Ford vs. Chevy'' (PS2, Xbox) * 2005 ''Big Mutha Truckers 2: Truck Me Harder'' (PS2, Xbox, PC) * 2006 ''Cartoon Network Racing'' (PS2) * 2006 ''Hummer Badlands'' (PS2, Xbox) * 2006 ''The Fast and the Furious'' (PS2, PSP) * 2006 ''Pimp My Ride'' (PS2, Xbox 360) * 2007 ''Hot Wheels: Beat That!'' (PS2, PC, Xbox 360, Wii) * 2008 ''Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli'' (PS2, PS3, Wii, DS, PSP) * 2009 ''Supercar Challenge'' (PS3, PSN) * 2010 ''Ferrari: The Race Experience'' (PSN, Wii) * 2011 ''NASCAR The Game: 2011'' (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) * 2012 ''Auto Club Revolution'' (PC) * 2012 ''NASCAR The Game: Inside Line'' (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) * 2013 ''Ride to Hell: Retribution'' (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) * 2013 ''NASCAR: The Game 2013'' (PC) * 2014 ''NASCAR '14'' (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) * 2014 ''Warhammer 40,000: Storm of Vengeance'' (PC, iOS, Android) * 2015 ''NASCAR '15'' (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20150201093357/http://www.eutechnyx.com/}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311201255/http://uk.games.ign.com/objects/026/026300.html Eutechnyx on IGN.com] * [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekpub.cgi?regexp=^Zeppelin+Games+Ltd$&loadpics=1 Zeppelin Games at World of Spectrum]
{{Eutechnyx games}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Companies based in Newcastle upon Tyne Category:British companies established in 1987 Category:British companies disestablished in 2025 Category:Video game companies established in 1987 Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2025 Category:Video game companies of the United Kingdom Category:Video game development companies Category:1987 establishments in England Category:2025 disestablishments in England Category:Defunct video game companies of the United Kingdom