Maxis |
: Maxis is also the short name of Maxis Communications, a mobile telecommunications company in Malaysia.
Maxis Software was founded as a video game developer and is now a brand name of Electronic Arts (EA). Its initial software title was the seminal SimCity , a city simulation and planning Computer and video games. Maxis is also the creator of the best-selling computer game of all time, The Sims . These two titles and their related products are the brand s most popular and successful lines.
Most of the Maxis titles are simulation-based, though none are considered traditional simulations. Maxis founder Wright likens them as digital playgrounds. Maxis has also released games developed by other production houses, such as A-Train , sometimes with less than stellar results.
Contrary to popular myth, the company s name was not based on the words six AM spelled backwards. Rather, it was derived from a formula suggested by Jeff Braun s father: computer game companies should have two-syllable names and should include an x . It was noticed later that Maxis is six AM backwards.
=History=
== SimCity ==
Maxis was founded in 1987 by Will Wright and idea guy Jeff Braun to help publish SimCity on home computers. Before then, the game was only available on a limited basis on the Commodore 64 due to few video game publisher showing any interest in Porting it. The reason for this is because SimCity wasn t a traditional game that had definite win and lose conditions. The title went on to become, statistically, one of the most popular and successful video games of all time.
The SimCity series has since been updated to include ).
After such success with the SimCity series, Maxis tried various other Sim- titles. Some of these attempts include SimEarth , SimAnt , SimTower , SimLife , and SimFarm . The success of these franchises varies, but none matched that of the original SimCity . Maxis hit The Sims is the only very notable exception.
==Acquisition by EA==
Electronic Arts (EA) completed its acquisition of Maxis on July 28, 1997. Compared to other companies acquired by EA, such as Origin Systems and Westwood Studios, the absorption of Maxis has taken a slower pace, and the company has retained some of its original staff, including Will Wright. Products were shipped under the name of Maxis for several years, but in 2004, The Sims 2 and the Rush Hour expansion pack for SimCity 4 were labeled only Electronic Arts without the sub-label of Maxis. The name Maxis also appears to be abandoned in the marketing of the former Maxis games.
For many years, Maxis was a traditional studio located in Walnut Creek, California (and before that, Orinda, California), but in February 2004 the division was finally folded into EA s Redwood Shores, California headquarters.
Will Wright s studio (currently developing Spore (game)) is located in Emeryville, California.
== The Sims ==
Maxis most successful series to date is The Sims (2000). Released by EA who thought it might be a flop, it has gone on to become the most successful computer game in history. Maxis has developed numerous expansion packs for the game as well as an online version ( The Sims Online ). Maxis released The Sims 2 in 2004, a sequel title that features a full 3D computer graphics environment as opposed to the original s pseudo-3D Isometric projection engine.
Maxis programmers are currently working on five new The Sims titles, but only three of these releases are publicly confirmed. They will also be releasing four to five expansion packs for The Sims 2 . Other related projects include:
*Sims handheld, is being developed for both the Playstation Portable and the Nintendo DS. A smaller version is planned for mobile phone.
=See also=
*Computer software *List of Sim games
=External links=
*[http://www.maxis.com The official Maxis website] *[http://www.mobygames.com/company/sheet/companyId=1/ Moby Game s entry on Maxis] *[http://www.mobygames.com/game_group/sheet/gameGroupId,48/ Moby Game s list of Maxis Sim- series] *[http://www.gamespot.com/features/maxis/ SIMply Divine: The story of Maxis Software] - GameSpot s article on Maxis Software s history, circa 2000.|
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