JumpStart Games

JumpStart Games, Inc., formerly Knowledge Adventure, Inc., was an American edutainment video game company based in Torrance, California. Founded in 1991, it was acquired by Chinese holding company NetDragon Websoft in 2017.

History

File:Knowledge Adventure 1992 logo.png

Former logo as Knowledge Adventure, used from 1993 until 1998 (the animated version used from 1994 until 1998).

From 1991 to 1994, Knowledge Adventure developed games for IBM PC compatibles running MS-DOS.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Purchase by CUC International

On November 5, 1996, CUC International announced that it would acquire Knowledge Adventure;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the acquisition was completed on February 3, 1997.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> In February 1996, CUC had acquired Davidson & Associates;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> this subsidiary was later merged with Knowledge Adventure in October 1998.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

File:Knowledge Adventure 1998 logo.png

Former logo as Knowledge Adventure, used from 1998 until 2011.

On May 28, 1997, CUC International announced plans to merge with Hospitality Franchise Systems to create a single, "one-stop" entity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The merger was finalized in December that year and created Cendant.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As a result of the merger, CUC Software was renamed Cendant Software.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> On November 20, 1998, French media company Havas (later acquired by water utility Vivendi) announced that it would acquire Cendant Software for Template:US$ in cash and up to Template:US$Template:Nbspmillion contingent on the performance of Cendant Software.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Subsequently, the division was renamed Havas Interactive.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

During that time, Knowledge Adventure released many branded games such as JumpStart, Dr. Brain, Fisher-Price, Barbie, Bear in the Big Blue House, Blaster, Teletubbies, Noddy, Jurassic Park III, Captain Kangaroo, Curious George and American Idol.Template:Citation needed

Knowledge Adventure released JumpStart Baby in 2000.<ref name="auto1">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Separation from Vivendi

In October 2004, Vivendi sold Knowledge Adventure to a group of investors interested in taking a more active management strategy, and in developing new educational software. The company released new products under both the JumpStart and Math Blaster brands.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Knowledge Adventure 2011 logo.jpg

Last logo as Knowledge Adventure, used from 2011 until 2012.

In October 2012, Knowledge Adventure changed its name to JumpStart Games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On March 17, 2014, JumpStart Games purchased Neopets from Viacom.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On July 7, 2017, JumpStart Games was acquired by Chinese online game publisher NetDragon Websoft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Back-catalog digital re-releases

On November 25, 2014, five Knowledge Adventure titles were re-released digitally as DRM-Free exclusives on ZOOM-Platform.com through a partnership between JumpStart Games and the Jordan Freeman Group. The five titles included 3D Body Adventure, 3D Dinosaur Adventure, Dinosaur Adventure (Original), Space Adventure, and Undersea Adventure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On March 6, 2015, another Knowledge Adventure title, Bug Adventure, was re-released digitally as a DRM-Free exclusive on ZOOM-Platform.com. This title was also released through the partnership between JumpStart and the Jordan Freeman Group. ZOOM-Platform.com indicated the game was released due to the "incredible reaction" they got to the first batch of Knowledge Adventure titles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Closure and transfer of Neopets

Logo for JumpStart Games from 2012 until 2023

On June 13, 2023, Jumpstart Games announced it was ceasing all of its operations and ending support of all games, excluding Neopets,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> on June 30, 2023. The company officially closed July 1, 2023 at 3am EST with servers and their website also shutting down. No reason upon the closure was given.

Neopets was briefly transferred over to Fluffy Dog Studios, which was formerly JumpStart Vancouver,<ref name=":0" /> before being spun off as World of Neopia, Inc. in a management buyout deal.