Acclaim, Yes, That "Akklaim," is Returning During 2025

[Nz17]

SUMMARY
Acclaim, a prominent 90s game publisher, is making a return to the industry with a focus on indie games and classic franchises.
The new team behind Acclaim includes industry veterans and aims to resurrect beloved games from the past for a new era of gaming.
The publisher plans to release its first game in 2025.
Classic game publisher Acclaim has announced that it is returning to the video game industry. One of the defining names of the 1990s, Acclaim was responsible for publishing several games that made history on consoles, such as the Sega Genesis, SNES, and Game Gear.

Among the many games published by Acclaim are the first two Mortal Kombat titles, which marked the beginning of one of the most beloved fighting game franchises. For racing fans, Acclaim has titles such as Ferrari Grand Prix Challenge, Re-Volt, and F1 World Championship Edition. However, one of the things Acclaim is most remembered for is releases based on TV shows and movies.

Surprising the industry, a team of veterans has come together to bring Acclaim back. According to the announcement, in this new phase, the publisher will focus on supporting new indie games and original IP. There are plans to “resurrect and revitalize” classic franchises, although the official note did not name which games may already be in the publisher's sights. To accomplish this, Acclaim will have a team made up of names such as Russell Binder (Striker Entertainment), Mark Caplan (Ridge Partners), Jeff Jarrett (Global Force Entertainment), and names from the entertainment industry beyond games, such as wrestler Jeff Garret.

Acclaim Promises Nostalgia and Support for Indie Games in its New Era

Acclaim Entertainment was founded in 1987 by Greg Fishbach, who is not on board for the return in 2025. At the time, the company became famous for publishing games such as NBA Jam and Mortal Kombat, which shocked the world by being so violent that it generated enormous controversy, partly causing the creation of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). In 2004, Acclaim Entertainment went out of business, and in its place, Acclaim Games was founded in 2006. However, the company closed its doors in 2010. Almost 20 years later, the company returns not only with a new team, but with its brands now owned by other companies, such as NBA Jam, which is now held by EA, and Turok, now a Universal Studios IP.

At a time when the video games industry sees layoffs and closures, Acclaim plans to publish its first game in 2025, possibly in the third quarter. According to Alex Josef in an interview with GamesBeat, the goal is to generate revenue as quickly as possible to bring out additional games, so Acclaim may put out up to three or four releases a year as the process becomes more agile.

By Bruna Telles

Few asked for it, fewer expected it! I quite liked some of their games though like the Dreamcast & N64 & PS1 game, Re-Volt, which was superb.

Source: https://gamerant.com/acclaim-game-pu...r-return-2025/

[Gentlegamer]

If Acclaim can bring back mainstream "AA" games I'm all for it.

[Steve W]

Is there anyone from the original Acclaim part of it or did a bunch of gaming industry people cobble together the money to buy the rights and trademarks? Honestly, I'd rather see a bunch of industry veterans revive the company with no connection to the old management, much like the way the Atari name has been passed around. A new era for Acclaim without the stink of their past failures could be fun to watch.

Acclaim bought out Valiant Comics in the '90s, any comic book fans out there know what happened to Valiant after Acclaim died off? Did it get sold? Is somebody still making them? I haven't heard a thing about them in ages, other than word of a relaunch maybe a decade or so ago.

[retroman]

I am very curious about what they still own.