Allied Kingdoms Inc.

A video game developer known for developing the Tony Hawk's and Guitar Hero series, as well as the 1998 shooter Apocalypse.

Games

2001–2007

Years

Platforms

$107.85

Ø CIB

+67.4%

24M change

About

This developer, widely known as Neversoft Entertainment, created the critically acclaimed skateboarding game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 and the action game Apocalypse. They later took over development of the Guitar Hero franchise, producing major hits like Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith. Their work defined the skateboarding and rhythm game genres during the late 1990s and 2000s.

The distribution history of Allied Kingdoms Inc. is characterized by specialized retail configurations, promotional bundles, and regional re-releases that expanded the reach of its core franchises. Early efforts in the action genre saw the release of Apocalypse [Not For Resale] (1998) as a promotional tool, followed by the budget-priced Japanese localization Apocalypse [SuperLite 1500 Series] (2001).

Within the skateboarding lineup, the developer targeted niche marketing opportunities, exemplified by the release of Tony Hawk's Underground [Digital Pix Pack] (2000), which integrated unique digital camera accessories, alongside the widely distributed PlayStation port of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2001).

The transition to rhythm gaming relied heavily on hardware-software integration. This strategy is evident in the distribution of Guitar Hero III Legends Of Rock [SG Guitar Bundle] (2007) and Guitar Hero Aerosmith [Bundle] (2008), which packaged the software directly with peripheral controllers to lower the barrier of entry for consumers. Additionally, promotional variants like Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock [Not for resale] (2007) served as in-store demos, driving the massive retail presence of the publisher's music game portfolio during the peak of the rhythm game boom.