First, React Games is a sister company of Studio4d1. Why did the company want to launch a game development studio.

I started out in games, then broke off into animation. Life has come full circle for me now that I'm back in games, which I really enjoy. Studio 4d1 has created some IPs that I didn't want mixed in with new investors for the video games side...so the easiest thing was to create a different company that would specifically handle the Archon license and everything "games" related. At first, React Games was called "Studio 4d1 Games," which I changed quickly...I really hate the name (studio 4d1) but have so many clients that know it, I couldn't change it. (long story)

How did React Games get the rights to Archon?

I've been wanting to redo Archon since 1998 and have been actively pursuing it since 2003. I was involved with a small group doing a prototype called, "Archon:Evolution" with a lead programmer from England named Leigh Bowers. We did it without a license and as a side project because we loved the game so much. I took what we had to E3 and got lots of interest, but we ended up not being able to do it at that time...life just gets in the way sometimes. Because of E3, other publishers became interested in the license but it fell through their hands and somehow ended up in ours in late 2008. It took everything we had (and borrowing some money from family) to get the exclusive worldwide rights from (Free Fall Associate's) Jon Freeman. He is a great guy to work with...very easy going.
Archon is a very different kind of strategy game. Why do you think it has achieved a cult following over the years?

Simple. It is the greatest game ever conceived by man! It's not that different from other successful games, when you think about it. It has the perfect blend of Strategy, followed by intense bouts of action that leave your hands sweaty and shaking (No!! I can't lose my Dragon to a Knight!!!) If you think of all the successful games, they follow this same formula. For example, Halo and the like...you strategize by moving your (character) around the environment...when you see a foe an intense firefight ensues until someone is dead...then you strategize and move more, then action, etc. Over the years many games have been close to emulating Archon, but I think people recognize that Archon was the first Strategy/Action game that started that genre.


There have been lots of games that have been "inspired" by Archon over the years like Battle Chess, Wrath Unleashed and others. Were you aware of these games before the rights to Archon were bought and if so have you taken any inspiration from them?

Yes, we're aware of these and a few others. We tried not to look at too many games that were inspired by Archon and just look at the source. Not that those were bad games in any sense...we just wanted to take Archon and recreate it exactly as it was, then add things on top of the existing formula to add depth for the modern player. Many games tried to change things too much and in doing so, changed the whole experience. The problem I faced was trying to keep it "too" original, but thanks to my Lead Designer, who is much younger and well versed in modern games, beat me up on several issues to make the game feel less dated.