Originally founded as Millennium Interactive, SCE Studio Cambridge became a first-party Sony studio and achieved major success with the action-adventure game MediEvil in 1998 and its sequel MediEvil 2 in 2000. The studio also developed the 1997 3D revival of Frogger and the action game Beast Wars: Transformers, based on the animated series.
The commercial success of
Frogger (1997) showcased the studio's capability in transitioning classic 2D intellectual properties into the 3D era, prompting Sony's acquisition. This transition to 3D gameplay also defined their work on the Hasbro license, resulting in the third-person shooter
Beast Wars - Transformers (1998) and its Japanese localization
Beast Wars Transformers Metals (1999). These titles adapted the blocky aesthetic of the CGI television series into interactive environments.
The studio's creative peak during this era centered on the
MediEvil franchise. The original
MediEvil (1998) combined hack-and-slash combat with puzzle-solving, earning critical acclaim and a budget-range re-release as
MediEvil [Platinum] (1998). The game's international appeal led to a Japanese release of
MediEvil (1999), featuring localized gameplay adjustments. The gothic-comic style matured in
MediEvil 2 (2000), which introduced projectile weapons and a Victorian London setting. These releases established Sir Daniel Fortesque as a prominent PlayStation mascot, cementing the studio's legacy in character-driven action games before they transitioned to newer console generations.