Formerly called
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Subsidiary | |
Industry | Interactive entertainment |
Fate | Closed |
Founded | 1988 | (as Walt Disney Computer Software)
Defunct | May 10, 2016 |
Headquarters | Glendale, California, United States |
Products | Video games |
Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
Parent | Disney Interactive |
Website | disney.interactive |
Disney Interactive Studios, Inc. (formerly Walt Disney Computer Software, Disney Interactive, Buena Vista Interactive and Buena Vista Games) was an American video game developer and publisher owned by The Walt Disney Company through Disney Interactive. Prior to its closure in 2016, it developed and distributed multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide.
Most of the games released by Disney Interactive Studios were typically tie-in products to existing character franchises. On May 10, 2016, as a result of the discontinuation of its Disney Infinity franchise, Disney shut down Disney Interactive Studios in order to focus on third-party development of video game adaptations of its franchises by other developers such as Electronic Arts, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Square Enix and Capcom. However, it continues to release games for iOS and Android devices under its own label, Disney Mobile.
In 1988, Disney started its own in house gaming unit, Walt Disney Computer Software (WDCS). WDCS generally used third-party development studios to design spin-off games using its existing portfolio of characters. WDCS had little success attributed by senior Disney executives due to low product quality and lack of understanding the differences between film and games.