Who founded Silicon Knights and when was the company established?
Silicon Knights was founded in 1992 by Denis Dyack and Michael Mays. The company operated as a Canadian video game developer headquartered in St. Catharines, Ontario.
Common questions about Silicon Knights
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the final product released by Silicon Knights before the company closed?
Silicon Knights produced Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain in 1996, which marked the end of their PC era and the beginning of a console-focused future. The studio filed for bankruptcy on the 16th of May 2014 after legal troubles.
When did Silicon Knights sue Epic Games over the Unreal Engine 3?
Silicon Knights sued Epic Games on the 19th of July 2007, alleging that the company failed to provide a working version of the Unreal Engine 3. The lawsuit claimed Epic had sabotaged licensees by withholding vital improvements and failing to meet a six-month deadline.
What was the outcome of the legal battle between Silicon Knights and Epic Games?
Epic Games won its counter-suit on the 30th of May 2012, securing a $4.45 million judgment against Silicon Knights. The court found that Silicon Knights had deliberately copied thousands of lines of Epic Games' copyrighted code and ordered the destruction of all game code derived from the engine.
Why did Silicon Knights file for bankruptcy in 2014?
Silicon Knights filed for bankruptcy on the 16th of May 2014 after losing a court case that resulted in a $4.45 million judgment against them. Denis Dyack left to form Precursor Games following the loss, and the company collapsed due to the legal reality clashing with technological ambition.