Buena Vista
Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt
Disney Company, today announced the formation of a new video
game development studio dedicated to creating innovative games for Nintendo
platforms. Based in Salt Lake City, Fall Line Studio’s focus is to develop
games based on Disney’s characters, television shows and entertainment
franchises as well as creating new intellectual property for the Nintendo
DS and Wii game systems.
Built around a core of industry veterans, the studio will focus on
small-team, creative projects that leverage the Disney brand in new and
innovative ways. Fall Line Studio will operate as a sister studio to Buena
Vista Games’ award-winning Avalanche Software studio, also in Salt Lake
City, giving the company an advantage in reaching the strong pool of
creative talent in the region.
Industry veteran Scott Novis will serve as vice president and general
manager for Fall Line Studio. Prior to this position, Novis served as
general manager of Rainbow Studios where he grew the staff from 30 to more
than 200 employees. His experience in the video game business and knowledge
of the industry will allow Fall Line Studio to capitalize on the power of
the Disney brand and deliver innovative games for the mass market.
“This studio will be one of our centers of creative excellence and it gives
us the ability to fully capitalize on our properties and expand our market
share on Nintendo platforms,” said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and
general manager of Buena Vista Games. “Scott Novis brings the perfect mix
of team building and relevant business experience to the position of studio
head for Fall Line Studio."
“The opportunity to grow a new studio for Buena Vista Games after success
with Rainbow is right in line with my goal to create great games for the
mainstream,” said Scott Novis, vice president and general manager of Fall
Line Studio. “BVG has an excellent management team, a can-do corporate
culture and a treasure trove of great intellectual properties that make it
exciting for us to start something new.”
BVG has a strong reputation for creating games for Nintendo platforms and is
the No. 3 publisher of Game Boy Advance titles in North America. The
strength of the company’s famous characters, Disney Channel properties and
entertainment intellectual properties provide Buena Vista Games with an
unparalleled deep catalog of content.
About Fall Line Studio
Based in Salt Lake City, Fall Line Studio is the newest addition to Buena
Vista Games’ family of studios, which also includes Propaganda Games in
Vancouver, British Columbia; Avalanche Software in Salt Lake City; and
Climax Racing in Brighton, England. Fall Line Studio is focused on
innovative games for Nintendo systems and gives Buena Vista Games dedicated
development resources for the Nintendo DS and Wii systems.