Shiny Introduction:

Shiny Entertainment, Inc., a video game developer located in Laguna Beach, California, was established in October 1993 by David Perry, a video game programmer from Northern Ireland. Shiny was responsible for creating notable video games like Earthworm Jim, MDK, and Enter the Matrix. The company changed hands multiple times, with David Perry selling it to Interplay Productions in 1995. Later, in 2002, Interplay sold Shiny to Infogrames, Inc. Following Foundation 9 Entertainment's acquisition of Shiny in 2006, the company was merged with The Collective in October 2007, resulting in the formation of Double Helix Games.

David Perry's journey began in 1982 when he developed his first video game for the Sinclair ZX81 in Northern Ireland at the age of 15. He then moved to London, where he collaborated with early video game developers on ZX Spectrum games. He joined Virgin Games' American branch in Irvine, California, in 1991, contributing to successful games like Global Gladiators, Cool Spot, and Disney's Aladdin. After a two-year stint, Perry left Virgin Games.

Gameplay: 

Perry received offers from the Sega Technical Institute and Playmates Toys. Opting for a unique agreement, he convinced Playmates to fund an independent studio with several million dollars. This marked the birth of Shiny Entertainment in October 1993. The name "Shiny" was inspired by a popular song at the time, while the "Entertainment" suffix was chosen to facilitate potential collaborations with Hollywood film production companies.

In its early stages, Shiny lacked a clear direction but received support from Playmates Interactive. The company considered various licenses before deciding to create an original game, leading to the development of Earthworm Jim. The game's success prompted the creation of an accompanying TV series and merchandise. Following Earthworm Jim 2, Shiny transitioned to 3D game development and created MDK, which gained recognition and deals with various partners.

Final Words:

Shiny's journey saw it change ownership multiple times: from Interplay Productions to Infogrames, Inc. (Atari, Inc.), and eventually Foundation 9 Entertainment, leading to the formation of Double Helix Games. David Perry left Shiny in 2006 and pursued other ventures in the gaming industry.

This dynamic history outlines Shiny Entertainment's evolution, from its modest beginnings to its contributions to the gaming landscape and its eventual merger into Double Helix Games.