Acclaim Reborn: Industry Veterans Revive Iconic Publisher

[Nomad76]

After more than two decades, a team of industry veterans has united to bring back one of gaming's most iconic brands. Acclaim, the legendary video game publisher known for its groundbreaking titles in the '80s and '90s, is officially returning with a bold vision aimed at revitalizing the gaming landscape.

Originally founded in 1987, the relaunch marks an exciting new chapter for the publisher, as it seeks to support indie developers and reignite classic franchises. Acclaim will provide much-needed resources such as funding, marketing and PR support, giving independent studios the opportunity to bring their creative visions to a broad audience.



One of the key goals for the relaunched Acclaim is to resurrect and revitalize its beloved portfolio of classic IP enjoyed for years by millions of players. To ensure this vision comes to life, Acclaim has assembled an advisory board comprised of esteemed industry leaders, including Russell Binder at Striker Entertainment, Mark Caplan at Ridge Partners and Jeff Jarrett at Global Force Entertainment. Their vast experience and invaluable guidance will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Acclaim's classic franchises and innovative ventures.

Acclaim's growth strategy is further supported by key partners Phil Toronto, Partner at VaynerFund, and Eric Vogel, Partner at JET Management. Their expertise in investment and management will help foster an environment ripe for nurturing independent developers and driving long-term success alongside the advisory board's leadership.

Acclaim's leadership and board spans the entertainment industry—licensing icons, professional athletes, living music legends and seasoned veterans who have defined the intersection of video games and pop culture. Two-time Hall of Fame wrestler Jeff Jarrett, with over three decades of experience in the sports entertainment and video game industries, underscores how this wealth of expertise will shape the future of Acclaim.

"For more than three decades, I've had the privilege to have been a part of both the wrestling and gaming universes, and I'm thrilled to now be a partner in the revival of Acclaim, an iconic publisher known for releasing some of the most legendary games of the '80s and '90s," said Jarrett. "From my early involvement with the publisher's hit 16-bit WWF titles to my experience helping shape the TNA Wrestling series, which spawned the first video game wrestler to become a full-time roster member in the Squared Circle, I've seen firsthand the type of impact great games can have on players and fans. Resurrecting Acclaim is an opportunity to impart the same degree of passion and love to a new generation, and I'm excited to be involved."

Tapped to spearhead the relaunch and growth of Acclaim as CEO, is games industry veteran Alex Josef, who brings more than two decades of experience marketing and publishing hundreds of games on PC, console and mobile.

"It's an absolute honor and pleasure to be leading the charge in bringing Acclaim back to the forefront of the games industry," said Alex Josef, CEO, "We're fortunate that we have an extremely talented team and that we've already signed some incredible indie titles, which we'll be revealing soon."

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Jawz]

Fond memories of Re-Volt from Acclaim. Still play RV-GL to this day on Win 11 from time to time.

 

[Assimilator]

Oh boy, I can't wait to see the garbage they churn out in an attempt to make a quick buck off the brand name.

 

[Bobaganoosh]

Didn't they sell off the rights to all of their "beloved portfolio of classic IP"? I'm not sure how they'd just step in and start publishing things they no longer have rights to. Turok for example has a game currently being developed and published by Saber.

 

[Shihab]

Now that's a logo I haven't seen in a long time!

 

[FierceRed]

 

[Prima.Vera]

We need a Turok 1 remaster asap!!

 

[Random_User]

Fond memories of Re-Volt from Acclaim. Still play RV-GL to this day on Win 11 from time to time.

Machines, Forsaken, Turok, Re-volt....

 

[skizzo]

We need a Turok 1 remaster asap!!

2015 called.....Nightdive already did this. Same goes for Turok 2 in 2017

they even put out a relatively substantial update for Turok just a couple days ago putting it from Kex3 to Kex4 so same engine Turok 2 remaster is built on.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

They did a remaster of Turok. It's everything that I remembered, and more. Let me clarify:
1) Fog to hide bad draw load distances
2) Truly horrifying platforming that is unforgiving
3) Ear shredding noises in those portals...because why not
4) Obtuse level design
5) A difficulty sheer cliff face. Everything is fine until that final level, where they'll spawn half a dozen bullet sponges in a corridor to curb stomp you
6) The BFG middle finger. You get 3 shots of the Chronoscepter. You spent the entire game grinding for it, and you get 3 shots. It...was worth cheating for to use normally


I want a remaster...and do not. It'd be nice to see a spiritual remaster that took the levels as inspiration...but I do not want to experience this game all over again. Lord knows, with a bit of creativity we could get something truly wonderful. Alternatively, we could have another skinwalker like Atari.

 

[Adrian Andrzejewski]

We need a Turok 1 remaster asap!!

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter | Nightdive Studios

nightdivestudios.com

 

[Lionheart]

Iconic name, but are the iconic talented original devs coming back? I think not.

 

[Visible Noise]

Machines, Forsaken, Turok, Re-volt....

I would pay anything for another Re-Volt.

 

[Prima.Vera]

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter | Nightdive Studios

nightdivestudios.com

No man. I mean a real remaster.
I always put the mark on Diablo 2 - Resurrected. That remaster is just perfect from all points of view, except for the missing 3D sound, sadly...

 

[Random_User]

...except for the missing 3D sound, sadly...

That would be a non issue, if the developers, that do the remaster, could just add/include the software EAX support/DSOAL. So it would get the more spread, the more implementation and support, it would get from the studios, which bother with doing the remaster in the first place. Much like OpenSpy, which now basically replaced/substituted the GameSpy, and is used by dozens of games.

 

[_JP_]

Machines, Forsaken, Turok, Re-volt....

Many hours playing Re-Volt, Machines, but also Burnout, Extreme-G 2 and Ducati World Racing (which was very unforgiving, but really cool once you started unlocking all the bikes) and the Dakar rally games.
Jiuced would be the last game I played, from them, but it was published by THQ as it was being developed as the ship was sinking.

 

[spine]

Excellent, we get to re-hate them all over again!

Catapult - Penny Arcade

Videogaming-related online strip by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins. Includes news and commentary.

www.penny-arcade.com

 

[Random_User]

Many hours playing Re-Volt, Machines, but also Burnout, Extreme-G 2 and Ducati World Racing (which was very unforgiving, but really cool once you started unlocking all the bikes) and the Dakar rally games.
Jiuced would be the last game I played, from them, but it was published by THQ as it was being developed as the ship was sinking.

Sadly, THQ screwed the Juiced, and much like most things they've had under their hood. However, I may be one of few, who actually liked the goofy Juiced 2.

Also Machines, is perhaps, one of most unique underrated and unkown games.

And, I prefer G-Police to Forsaken.

Spoiler

Someone please clarify, if Turok 2 had HW sound or not? Thanks!