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DICE (company)

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EA Digital Illusions CE AB
DICE
Formerly
  • Digital Illusions HB (1992–1993)
  • Digital Illusions CE AB (1993–2006)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedMay 1992; 32 years ago (1992-05) in Växjö, Sweden
Founders
Headquarters
Stockholm
,
Sweden
Key people
Rebecka Coutaz (general manager)
Products
Number of employees
714[1] (2020)
ParentElectronic Arts (2006–present)
DivisionsFrostbite Labs
Websitedice.se

EA Digital Illusions CE AB (trade name: DICE) is a Swedish video game developer based in Stockholm. The company was founded in 1992 and has been a subsidiary of Electronic Arts since 2006. Its releases include the Battlefield, Mirror's Edge and Star Wars: Battlefront series. Through their Frostbite Labs division, the company also develops the Frostbite game engine.

History

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Foundation and early years (1992–2000)

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Digital Illusions was founded in May 1992 by Olof "Olle" Gustafsson, Markus Nyström, Fredrik Liljegren and Andreas Axelsson, four friends and former members of The Silents, a demogroup that developed for Amiga systems.[2] The four studied at Växjö University, thus DICE was established in Växjö.[2]

Expansion (2000–2004)

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In 2000, DICE acquired developer Refraction Games (developers of Codename Eagle).[3] From the acquisition, DICE inherited the in-development Battlefield 1942.[3] Patrick Söderlund, who had founded Refraction Games in 1997, subsequently joined DICE as chief executive officer.[4] This was followed with the merger of Sandbox Studios in April 2001.[5] Sandbox Studios added 50 employees to DICE's staff, amounting to 150 total employees.[6] In September 2004, DICE also merged with Trauma Studios in New York City.[7][8] Trauma Studios employed nine people at the time.[9]

Acquisition by Electronic Arts (2006–present)

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In November 2004, Electronic Arts (EA) announced their intent to purchase all outstanding shares in DICE at a price of 61 kr per share, with the deal's closing deadline scheduled for 27 December.[10] At the time, EA owned 18.9% in DICE.[11] Initially, the offer was rejected by shareholders representing 28% of DICE's ownership on 15 December,[12] after which EA adjusted its offer on 20 December, intending to only purchase 44.5% at the same price per share, extending the offer deadline to 20 January 2005.[13] On 25 January 2005, shareholders agreed to the acquisition, and EA raised their ownership in DICE to 59.8%.[14][15]

In March 2006, EA announced a new plan to acquire all outstanding shares in DICE for 67.50 kr per share.[16] The acquisition was completed on 2 October, with 2.6 million shares in DICE transferred to EA in exchange for a total of 175.5 million kr.[17][18] Shortly following the acquisition, on 5 October, EA closed Digital Illusions Canada, DICE's Ontario-based studio.[19] The 25 employees working at the studio at the time were given the option to transfer to DICE's headquarters in Stockholm or any other EA studio.[20] DICE co-founder Liljegren announced on 16 October that he established RedJade as a successor to Digital Illusions Canada.[21]

In May 2013, EA opened a new Los Angeles-based division for DICE known as DICE LA, helmed by former senior staff of EA's previously closed studio Danger Close Games.[22] DICE LA had generally been involved with support of DICE and other EA games and had not generated any title on their own. Vince Zampella of Respawn Entertainment (another EA studio) was named as the studio's new lead in January 2020. Zampella had indicated at this time that they would likely become separate from DICE, and change their name to reflect this.[23] DICE LA announced their new name, Ripple Effect Studios, in July 2021, but otherwise under management by Zampella, and while they will finish work on Battlefield 2042, will move in a new direction following its release.[24]

On 2 December 2021 Electronic Arts announced that Vince Zampella, co-founder of Respawn Entertainment and head of Ripple Effect Studios, will oversee the Battlefield series going forward, with Ripple Effect leading the way in developing the franchise's "new experiences", instead of DICE.[25][26] Along with the announcement, it was reported that DICE General Manager Oskar Gabrielson would be leaving EA, with Rebecka Coutaz, formerly Managing Director of Ubisoft Annecy, taking his place in the role.[27]

Technology

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Main article: Frostbite (game engine)

Games developed

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Year Title Platform(s)
1992 Pinball Dreams Amiga
Pinball Fantasies Amiga, Amiga CD32
1993 Amiganoid Amiga
1994 Benefactor Amiga, Amiga CD32
1995 Pinball Illusions Amiga, Amiga CD32, MS-DOS
1997 True Pinball PlayStation, Sega Saturn
S40 Racing Microsoft Windows
1998 Motorhead Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
1999 Swedish Touring Car Championship Microsoft Windows
2000 Swedish Touring Car Championship 2
Riding Champion: Legacy of Rosemond Hill
Michelin Rally Masters: Race of Champions Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
NASCAR Heat PlayStation
2001 Shrek Xbox
2002 RalliSport Challenge Microsoft Windows, Xbox
Pryzm: Chapter One — The Dark Unicorn PlayStation 2
Battlefield 1942 macOS, Microsoft Windows
Shrek: Extra Large GameCube
V8 Challenge Microsoft Windows
2003 Battlefield 1942: The Road to Rome macOS, Microsoft Windows
Midtown Madness 3 Xbox
Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII macOS, Microsoft Windows
2004 RalliSport Challenge 2 Xbox
2005 Battlefield 2 Microsoft Windows
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360
2006 Battlefield 2142 macOS, Microsoft Windows
2008 Battlefield: Bad Company PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Mirror's Edge Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2009 Battlefield Heroes[1] Microsoft Windows
Battlefield 1943 PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2010 Battlefield: Bad Company 2 iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit[2] Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii, Windows Phone, Xbox 360
Battlefield Online[3] Microsoft Windows
Medal of Honor Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2011 Battlefield Play4Free Microsoft Windows
Battlefield 3 iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2013 Battlefield 4 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
2015 Star Wars Battlefront Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
2016 Mirror's Edge Catalyst
Battlefield 1
2017 Star Wars Battlefront II
2018 Battlefield V
2019 Ultracore[4] Mega Sg, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita[5], Xbox One, and Xbox Series
2021 Battlefield 2042 Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

Notes

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  1. ^ Co-developed with Easy Studios
  2. ^ Co-developed with Criterion Games
  3. ^ Co-developed with Neowiz Games
  4. ^ Cancelled in 1994 but eventually revived by Strictly Limited Games and released in 2019

References

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  1. ^ "Game Developer Index 2021" (PDF). Dataspelbranchen. November 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b Gunner (9 September 2017). "Digital Illusions fyller 25 år" [Digital Illusions turns 25 years]. Hype.se. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  3. ^ a b nnirvi (2 November 2006). "Digital Illusions – taisteluni" [Digital Illusions – My Struggle]. Pelit. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  4. ^ Crecente, Brian (14 August 2018). "EA Chief Design Officer Patrick Soderlund Leaves Company". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  5. ^ IGN Staff (6 April 2001). "Digital Illusions and Sandbox Studios Merge". IGN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  6. ^ IGN Staff (11 April 2001). "Digital Illusions Nabs Sandbox Studios". IGN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  7. ^ Carless, Simon (1 September 2004). "Digital Illusions Acquires Trauma Studios". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  8. ^ Goldstein, Maarten (1 September 2004). "DICE Buys Trauma Studios". Shacknews. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  9. ^ Adams, David (1 September 2004). "Digital Illusions Embraces Trauma". IGN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  10. ^ Adams, David (15 November 2004). "EA to Buy Digital Illusions". IGN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  11. ^ GamesIndustry International (15 November 2004). "EA tables bid to take over Digital Illusions". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  12. ^ Fahey, Rob (15 December 2004). "Digital Illusions shareholders reject EA buyout". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  13. ^ Brunes, Andrew (20 December 2004). "EA Adjusts Offer For Digital Illusions". IGN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  14. ^ Bloodworth, Daniel (25 January 2006). "EA Gains Controlling Interest of Digital Illusions". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  15. ^ Fahey, Rob (26 January 2006). "Digital Illusions shareholders accept EA offer". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  16. ^ Bramwell, Tom (17 March 2006). "EA and DICE announce new merger plan". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  17. ^ Thorsen, Tor (2 October 2006). "EA rolls DICE for $23 million". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  18. ^ Martin, Matt (2 October 2006). "EA completes DICE acquisition". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  19. ^ Martin, Matt (5 October 2006). "EA confirms DICE Canada closure". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  20. ^ Adams, David (5 October 2006). "Digital Illusions Canada Closes". IGN. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  21. ^ GamesIndustry International (16 October 2006). "REDJADE Opens for Business". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  22. ^ Dyer, Mitch (16 May 2013). "DICE LA: From the Ashes of Medal of Honor". IGN. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  23. ^ Marten, Todd (2 January 2020). "From 'Titanfall' to 'Star Wars,' the evolution of game studio Respawn mirrors our search for story". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  24. ^ Bailey, Kat (7 July 2021). "Exclusive: EA's DICE LA is Changing Its Name to Ripple Effect Studios And Developing An Unannounced Game". IGN. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  25. ^ Tolbert, Samuel (2 December 2021). "Respawn head Vince Zampella now leading Battlefield franchise, announces connected universe". Windows Central. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  26. ^ Peters, Jay (2 December 2021). "EA puts Apex Legends boss in charge of Battlefield as part of internal shakeup". The Verge. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  27. ^ Wilde, Tyler (2 December 2021). "The Battlefield series is now in the hands of Respawn co-founder Vince Zampella". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
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