History of Westwood

The Birth of Westwood

 * In 1985, Brett W. Sperry and Louis Castle set to work in a garage in Las Vegas. Thus was born Westwood Studios, one of the most successful entertainment software companies in the history of the industry. Among the early creations are Mars Saga, BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception, DragonStrike and Eye of the Beholder, which garnered the young company, its first taste of widespread recognition at home and abroad.


 * In 1992, the company merged with Virgin Interactive Entertainment, which enabled Westwood Studios to become a software publisher in its own right and to enjoy Virgin's superior worldwide distribution network. It was also the year Westwood released two now legendary titles in the gaming word: The Legend of Kyrandia and the game that defined the real-time strategy genre, Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty.


 * Soon after came Command & Conquer and Command & Conquer: Red Alert, which set sales records all over the world and redefined the real-time strategy genre. These stunning successes were followed by the innovative and best-selling Monopoly CD-ROM, which was the first commercial game with Internet support. Monopoly and titles in the Command & Conquer series continue to make best seller charts. The Command & Conquer series has topped the 10 million-unit sales mark, a rare achievement in the interactive entertainment industry.


 * Westwood set new standards with the release of Blade Runner, which combined groundbreaking graphic technologies with a depth of storytelling rarely seen in computer games.


 * In August 1998, Westwood was acquired by Electronic Arts (EA) for $122.5 million in cash.


 * Westwood stood at the forefront of the industry with the release of Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Lands of Lore III.


 * After the game Command & Conquer: Renegade failed to meet EA's expectations in March of 2003, they liquidated Westwood Studios. Those employees that were willing to do so moved to EA Los Angeles. According to Wikipedia, the last game Westwood developed was the MMORPG Earth & Beyond.

 Historical Events

1985:

Westwood began by Brett Sperry and Louis Castle.

1992:

Westwood merges with Virgin Interactive Entertainment enabling Westwood to become a software publisher in its own right and to enjoy Virgin's superior worldwide distribution network

1998:

Company acquired by Electronic Arts.

Dec 31, 2002:

EA moves out 100 Westwood employees to EALA branch in order to down size the company. As of 2003 and beyond, EA won't be using the Westwood brand anymore.

Mar, 2003:

The company is closed by EA and all willing staff are absorbed into EA Los Angeles. Company history contributed by Karthik KANE (454), Sciere (105107) and Jeanne (51656) 
 * For more information please visit: Westwood Wikia

Courtesy of Westwood