The
team then began development of a unique role playing game for the PC entitled Septerra
Core: Legacy of the Creator. Late in the summer of 1997, just as this title was
moving into full production, Viacom made the announcement that it was closing down its
Chicago development house. Septerra was about to suffer an early demise. The
team decided there was only one plan of action: Form a new company, acquire the rights to
their game, and find a new publisher…. Valkyrie Studios was born.
Wanting the new corporate entity to be
different from the places where they had previously worked, the team put together a
no-nonsense approach to development. Drawing on Norse mythology for a name, they were
inspired by the ancient legends of the Valkyrie, who were Goddesses that flew out to the
battlefields to bring back warriors who had fought and died with honor to Valhalla, home
of the Gods. There, they could forever do what they did best, and enjoyed most: Battle.
Our working motto at Valkyrie is 'Welcome to Valhalla'. This is a place where creative
people can come and do what they do best. It is this attitude that has helped the
young company attract the kind of top-notch talent necessary for a game like Septerra
Core.
The team believes this attitude also
extends beyond the staff to include the gamers world-wide who have supported Septerra
Core and Valkyrie. "We believe in the game player as our first priority,
" says Brian 'B-MAN' Babendererde, VP of Game Development. "This is a two way
street. We want to make games that we like to play. Players want to be able to tell the
developers what they like, and we listen to other players’ opinions very
carefully."
In February of '98, Valkyrie Studios, Inc.
announced that it had finalized a deal with TopWare Interactive of Mannheim, Germany for
the worldwide publishing and distribution rights to Septerra Core: Legacy of the
Creator. North American publisher, Monolith Productions, joined forces with
Valkyrie and TopWare in November of '98 and, with the U.S. distribution efforts of
Interplay Productions, Septerra hit the store shelves in October, 1999.
Valkyrie currently has its team of
extremely talented people working hard on their next game designs. Those who are looking
for unique, heart-racing game experiences will be excited to know that the same enthusiasm
and creativity is already shining through in their current endeavors. With the dedication
demonstrated by the Valkyrie family in getting Septerra Core on the shelves,
they are optimistic that a publishing agreement is close to being reached, and the details
of their next product should be announced to the public in the coming months. Check
Valkyrie’s web site for the latest news.
