JumpStart Games

JumpStart Games, Inc. (formerly Knowledge Adventure, Inc.) is an American edutainment game developer based in Torrance, California. Founded in 1991, it owns the Neopets virtual pet website, and is itself owned by Chinese holding company NetDragon Websoft.

JumpStart Games, Inc.
FormerlyKnowledge Adventure, Inc. (1991–2012)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
PredecessorDavidson & Associates
Founded1991 (1991)
Headquarters
Torrance, California
,
U.S.
Products
Number of employees
201-500
ParentNetDragon Websoft (2017–present)

History
Former logo as Knowledge Adventure, used from 1992 until 1998 (the animated version used from 1996 until 1998).

Until 1994, Knowledge Adventure had created DOS games, including Knowledge Adventure: The Game, Mario Teaches Typing, Isaac Asimov's Science Adventure, Space Adventure, Mario is Missing!, Dinosaur Adventure, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Mario's Early Years!: Fun with Letters, Mario's Early Years!: Fun with Numbers, Mario's Early Years!: Preschool Fun, Mario's Time Machine, Imax's Speed, Undersea Adventure, 3D Dinosaur Adventure, Isaac Asimov's Science Adventure II, America Adventure, Kid's Zoo: A Baby Animal Adventure, 3D Body Adventure, Space Adventure II, Aviation Adventure, Bug Adventure, Imax's Discoverers, Magic Theater, My First Encyclopedia, Mario's Game Gallery, Mario Teaches Typing 2, Lionel Trains Presents:Trans Con!, Zurk's Learning Safari and Zurk's Alaskan Trek.

On November 5, 1996, CUC International announced that it would acquire Knowledge Adventure and was completed on February 3, 1997, its Davidson & Associates subsidiary that CUC acquired in February 1996 will later merge with Knowledge Adventure in October 1998.[1][2][3][4][5]

Former logo as Knowledge Adventure, used from 1998 until 2011.

On May 28, 1997, CUC International announced plans to merge with Hospitality Franchise Systems to create a single, "one-stop" entity.[6][7] The merger was finalized in December that year and created Cendant.[8] As a result of the merger, CUC Software was renamed Cendant Software.[9] On November 20, 1998, French media company Havas (later acquired by water utility Vivendi) announced that it would acquire Cendant Software for $800 million in cash and up to $200 million contingent on the performance of Cendant Software.[10][11] Subsequently, the division was renamed Havas Interactive.[12]

During that time, Knowledge Adventure released many branded games such as JumpStart, Dr. Brain, Fisher-Price, Barbie, Bear in the Big Blue House, Blaster, Teletubbies, Noddy, Jurassic Park III, Captain Kangaroo, Curious George and American Idol.

In October 2004, Vivendi sold Knowledge Adventure to a group of investors interested in taking a more active management strategy, and in developing new educational software. The company has since released new products under both the JumpStart and Math Blaster brands.[13]

Former logo as Knowledge Adventure, used from 2011 until 2012.

In October 2012, Knowledge Adventure changed its name to JumpStart Games.[14]

On March 17, 2014, JumpStart Games purchased Neopets from Viacom.

On July 7, 2017, JumpStart Games was acquired by Chinese online game publisher NetDragon Websoft.[15]

Back-catalog digital re-releases

On November 25, 2014, five Knowledge Adventure titles were re-released digitally as DRM-Free exclusives on ZOOM-Platform.com through a partnership between JumpStart Games and the Jordan Freeman Group. The five titles included 3D Body Adventure, 3D Dinosaur Adventure, Dinosaur Adventure (Original), Space Adventure, and Undersea Adventure.

On March 6, 2015, another Knowledge Adventure title, Bug Adventure, was re-released digitally as a DRM-Free exclusive on ZOOM-Platform.com. This title was also released through the partnership between JumpStart and the Jordan Freeman Group. ZOOM-Platform.com indicated the game was released due to the "incredible reaction" they got to the first batch of Knowledge Adventure titles.[16]

References
  1. Kaplan, Karen (November 6, 1996). "CUC Will Buy Knowledge Adventure". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  2. Kaplan, Karen (February 10, 1997). "Davidson Founders Make Quiet Exit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  3. "CUC International Completes Acquisition of Knowledge Adventure" (Press release). CUC International. February 3, 1997. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  4. "Archived copy" (Press release). Archived from the original on 2002-03-20. Retrieved 2002-03-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Knowledge Adventure® Introduces ClassWorks™ Gold, A Revolutionary Classroom Alternative to Integrated Learning Systems and Stand-Alone Software" (Press release). Knowledge Adventure. Archived from the original on March 20, 2002. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  6. Bagli, Charles V. (May 28, 1997). "$11 Billion Merger Plan Would Join HFS and CUC". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  7. Press, From Associated (May 28, 1997). "CUC-HFS Merger Deal to Create Strong One-Stop-Shopping Entity". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  8. Jebens, Harley (April 28, 2000). "CUC Gets Renamed". GameSpot. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  9. "CUC Now Cendant". Game Developer. UBM TechWeb. March 1998. p. 13.
  10. Hansell, Saul (November 20, 1998). "Cendant Said to Near Sale of Software Division". The New York Times. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  11. "Cendant Sells Software Unit". Wired. November 20, 1998. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  12. "Vivendi's High Wireless Act". Wired. December 1, 2000. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  13. Ron Fahey (October 6, 2004). "Vivendi Universal sells educational games division". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  14. "Company Overview of JumpStart Games, Inc". Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  15. Whyte, Alexandra (July 7, 2017). "Neopets owner acquired by China's NetDragon". kidscreen.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  16. "ZOOM Announces Exclusive Release of Knowledge Adventure Back-Catalog". November 25, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
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