Crash Bandicoot, a beloved video game series, was initially created by Naughty Dog, a game development company known for their innovative and successful titles. The series first debuted in 1996 as a PlayStation exclusive and quickly gained popularity for its fun gameplay, vibrant visuals, and quirky characters.
However, Naughty Dog’s involvement with the Crash Bandicoot franchise ended after the release of Crash Team Racing in 1999. The rights to the series were acquired by Universal Interactive, which later became Vivendi Games. Vivendi Games continued to develop and publish Crash Bandicoot games under various studios and publishers.
In 2007, Vivendi Games merged with Activision, a major player in the gaming industry. As a result of this merger, Activision gained ownership of the Crash Bandicoot franchise. Since then, Activision has been responsible for the production and publishing of new Crash Bandicoot games.
It is important to note that Naughty Dog, the original creators of Crash Bandicoot, have since moved on to other successful ventures. They are known for creating critically acclaimed games like the Uncharted series and The Last of Us. While Naughty Dog’s influence on the early Crash Bandicoot games is undeniable, they are no longer directly involved in the development of new titles in the series.
With Activision at the helm, the Crash Bandicoot franchise has seen a resurgence in recent years. In 2017, the remastered versions of the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy (Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy) were released for the PlayStation 4, followed by releases for other platforms. These remastered games received positive reviews and introduced the classic Crash Bandicoot experience to a new generation of players.
In 2020, Activision released Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, a direct sequel to the original trilogy. Developed by Toys for Bob, the game received favorable reviews and continued the tradition of delivering challenging platforming gameplay with a modern twist.
As of now, it is safe to say that Crash Bandicoot is still being made by Activision, albeit with different development studios involved. While Naughty Dog’s involvement in the franchise may be a thing of the past, their legacy lives on in the hearts of fans and the impact they had on the early Crash Bandicoot games.
The Crash Bandicoot franchise has evolved and adapted over the years, and despite changes in ownership and development teams, it continues to bring joy to gamers worldwide.