Beatshapers

Beatshapers Ltd
Company typePrivate
IndustryVideo games
Founded2006; 19 years ago (2006)
Products#killallzombies, StarDrone Extreme, Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter, Enigmo, StarDrone Extreme, Wizorb, BreakQuest: Extra Evolution, Jetpack Joyride
Websitebeatshapers.com

Beatshapers Ltd. is a Ukrainian video game developer based in Kyiv.

Fortell Games

Fortell Games, Inc. (stylized as FØRTELL GAMES) is a Ukrainian-American video game developer based in Santa Monica, California. It is a spinoff studio of Beatshapers, which was founded in May 2022 in Wilmington, Delaware by game industry veteran Alexey Menshikov who previously ran the studio. The company is best known for its unexpected acquisition of the 2012 sandbox game Blocksworld in 2023.

Fortell Games, Inc.
Company typeIndependent video game developer
IndustryVideo games
PredecessorBeatshapers
FoundedMay 24, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-05-24) in Wilmington, Delaware, United States of America
FounderAlexey Menshikov
Headquarters
Santa Monica
,
United States of America
BrandsBlocksworld
Machines of Madness
SubsidiariesBlocksworld LLC.
Websitefortell.games

History

Fortell Games, Inc. was founded on the 24 May 2022 in Wilmington, Delaware. It relocated to Santa Monica in August that same year. The companies first publicly revealed game was Machines of Madness, which released as a demo on the 24 August 2023. The full release is to be announced.

Acquisition of Blocksworld

Main article: Blocksworld § Fortell Games acquisition

Fortell first made a splash in late 2023 when rumors started circulating among online fan communities that Linden Lab's 2012 sandbox game Blocksworld had been sold to Fortell Games. The game, originally developed by Swedish company BoldAI AB, had shut down in 2020 after a steady decline over its lifetime. The news caused a stir among Blocksworlds small remaining fanbase and generated a following for Fortell Games. As of 2023, there has been no official announcement of a revival, with Alexey Menshikov saying they have made "no promises", however it seems to be in active development.

Games developed

Game Developer(s) Publisher Platform(s) Date Source
Machines of Madness Fortell Games, Beatshapers Fortell Games Steam 24 August 2023 (demo), full release TBA
Blocksworld Fortell Games, Blocksworld LLC Fortell Games Steam, iOS (other platforms TBA) TBA

Games developed/Own IP

  • MelodyBloxx (PS minis, cancelled)
  • BreakQuest: Extra Evolution (PSP and PS Vita)
  • StarDrone Extreme (PS Vita)
  • Z-Run (PS Vita)
  • Ready to Run (PS4)
  • #killallzombies (PS4 and Nintendo Switch)
  • RC Soccer (iOS, Android, VR)
  • StarDrone VR (PS VR)

Games ported

Games published

  • PlayStation Minis
  • PlayStation Network
    • StarDrone (PS3 – PS Move launch title)
    • StarDrone Extreme (PS Vita launch title)
    • BreakQuest: Extra Evolution Freemium and PRO edition (PS Vita)
    • Furmins (PS Vita)
    • Z-Run (PS Vita)
    • #killallzombies (PS4)
    • RC Soccer (Apple ARkit, Android Razer Phone exclusive)
    • StarDrone VR (PlayStation VR)

Awards

  • Finalist

StarDrone, IndieCade Festival 2011

  • Honorable Mention

MelodyBloxx, IGF Mobile 2010

  • Developer Dash 2007

PlayFirst's Developer Dash Award 2007

  • Semi-Finalist

RC Soccer VR, Global VR Challenge 2016 (China)

  • Nominee

StarDrone VR, IMGA Awards 2017

References

  1. ^ https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/013201233225144201119177196231112060045079237168
  2. ^ https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/027123230091219118101062189195169220235238105090
  3. ^ https://store.steampowered.com/app/2453950/Machines_of_Madness/
  4. ^ https://modemworld.me/2023/12/06/is-blocksworld-a-former-linden-lab-property-about-to-make-a-comeback/
  5. ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/blocksworld/comments/he9g49/blocksworld_is_fully_shut_down_for_now/
  6. ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/blocksworld/comments/18ep7om/blocksworld_community_research_form/
  7. ^ https://store.steampowered.com/app/2453950/Machines_of_Madness/
  8. ^ https://store.steampowered.com/app/642390/Blocksworld/
  9. ^ "Canabalt - PushSquare interview and Carnivores sequel teaser". 27 March 2012.

Sources