The DNA of Atomic Planet

the northeast

The Falcus brothers had built their careers in the Northeast. Optimus Software was based in Stocktonon-tees, and Iguana moved the operation to Middlesbrough, only for Acclaim Studios Teeside to move it back. Atomic Planet Entertainment, however, was based in Middlesbrough, slap-bang in the centre of this post-industrial town on the south bank of the River Tees.

A family Affair

“It was great working with both of my brothers: Darren, whom I had worked with since the Eighties, and our younger brother Matt who also joined Atomic Planet and became a shareholder,” says Jason. The company also had strong relationships with other siblings, notably Codemasters’ Darling brothers and the Oliver twins.

industry Veterans

Atomic Planet worked with a host of big names. Among them were Charles Cecil (Atomic worked on Broken Sword: Shadow Of The Templars – The Director’s Cut in 2009) as well as Jon Hare. It also employed developers who had been in the industry for many years including Steve ‘Snake’ Palmer (who joined from SCI), and Dave Jones (not the DMA design one!).

many licences

Whether it was working on games starring professional boxers and cartoon characters (Atomic made Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing and Bob The Builder) or working with National Geographic and The History Channel, Atomic Planet’s games were usually recognisable titles such as Family Feud, Jackie Chan Adventures, Charlotte’s Web and Miami Vice.

can-do attitude

“We built up an amazing team, made lots of friends, worked on some really interesting projects, and had fun doing it,” says Jason. And the fact they worked on so many games was down to the team’s willingness to roll-up its sleeve and get on with whatever it was hired to produce. The developers worked across platforms and sometimes pushed boundaries: Dark Wind utilising the Gametrak peripheral being a case in point.