7 Video Game Developers KILLED After Corporate Takeovers

7. Bullfrog

Simulation games are few and far between these days, the odd gem such as Prison Architect that generates some buzz here and there notwithstanding. In the 90s, they were a PC mainstay, with the likes of the original Rollercoaster Tycoon and the SimCity franchise making waves in letting players explore their creativity.

One of the greatest was Theme Hospital, a management simulation that tasked players with building and overseeing a host of medical facilities. On paper it sounds like a chore, in reality it was one of the most enjoyable and laugh-out-loud hilarious experiences one could enjoy with a mouse and keyboard.

With diseases ranging from a ‘King complex’ that made patients think they were Elvis to ‘spare ribs’ that are given to the patient in a doggy bag as if they were from a Chinese takeaway, the game was deep in terms of content and stuffed with references.

Though it could’ve launched a franchise, Theme Hospital ended up being a one and done deal after EA, who had bought Bullfrog in 1995, ramped up their micromanagement in the wake of its success. Several more ‘Theme’ games were rushed to release, but all quickly drifted into obscurity and Bullfrog were wound up.

A spiritual successor the Theme Hospital, Two Point Hospital, was released in 2018 and recaptures much of the joy of the original. Ex-Bullfrog employees also founded Media Molecule (of LittleBigPlanet fame), so unlike many studio closures, there was eventually some good to come from Bullfrog’s…