Splatterhouse dev closes down

Founder Jay Beard has announced that BottleRocket Entertainment is no more, following a six-month fight for survival a bit like a starving bear.

It all started when Namco Bandai pulled the developer off Splatterhouse, a gory PS3 and Xbox 360 remake of the old '80s arcade game. BottleRocket, however, contested that all milestones were reached and that bad management on the publisher's side was to blame.

Following that rift, several members left to continue working on the game for Namco Bandai, while BottleRocket was believed to ink a deal with Brash Entertainment - which subsequently went bust itself.

In an email to friends, sent to GamesIndustry.biz, Beard wrote of his disappointment, but noted he was currently building a new studio "from the ground up".

"It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the closure of BottleRocket," he wrote. "After fighting to keep the doors open for the past six months we have decided to close and move on.

"BottleRocket was in business for seven years and I feel that we developed a sound reputation for quality and creativity. I was once told that we 'zigged while others zagged,' and I like to think that we shall be remembered this way.

"We had the opportunity to meet and work with many talented and passionate individuals along the way, and I want to take the opportunity to thank you all for everything that you did for BottleRocket. Seven years wasn't long enough for our plans to bear fruit; but it was a decent run.

"I am now in the process of building a new development studio from the ground up and look forward to us crossing paths once more."

The company also developed the Rise of the Kasai and Xiaolin Showdown titles, with many of its employees originating from Sony San Diego, having worked on The Mark of Kri.