The studio behind beloved cult-classic games like The Simpsons: Hit & Run and Prototype is back with a brand new name. Now known as New Radical Games, the studio’s name is a reference to its roots as Radical Entertainment. On its official website, New Radical Games describes itself as a combination of Radical Entertainment and Hothead Games.
Leadership of the studio is being handled by Ian Wilkinson serving as CEO, and Tim Bennison serving as COO. It is worth noting that Wilkinson was one of the co-founders of Radical Entertainment all the way back in 1991. Bennison is also an industry veteran in his own right, having previously served in the same position at Capcom Game Studio Vancouver and working on various visual effects for Marvel, Disney and Warner Bros. films. At Radical Entertainment, he worked as executive producer and vice president of technology, and worked on games like The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and Prototype.
New Radical Games is advertising its services on its official website. The studio doesn’t seem to have any plans to work on its own projects or IPs for the time being. Rather, the services it is offering include “work for hire” on the complete development of a game, work mobile and console releases, co-development alongside another studio, development of ports to new platforms, and development of remasters of older titles.
“It all started with Radical Entertainment back in 1991,” wrote New Radical Games on its official website. “Fast forward to 2025 and we have amassed invaluable experience along the way. We know how to capture the essence of world-class intellectual properties, and deliver licensed games that delight fans everywhere.”
Radical Entertainment itself has had a storied history. Founded in 1991 in Vancouver, the studio worked on many projects before being acquired by Vivendi in 2005. Three years later, as part of Activision’s acquisition of several companies under Vivendi, Radical Entertainment would also be part of the merger. Having worked on games like Prototype at the time, the studio would eventually be shuttered, with its incorporated status being dissolved by the government of Canada.
Among the several games developed by Radical Entertainment are PS2 cult-classics like The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, The Simpsons: Hit & Run, and a few Crash Bandicoot games. Open-world superhero game Prototype was another one of its major releases.
Hothead Games, on the other hand, was founded from the ashes of Radical Entertainment’s acquisition by Vivendi. The studio worked on several games with an emphasis on comedy. The late 2000s saw it working on two episodes of Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, as well as comedic action RPG DeathSpank. The 2010s would see the studio pivot to mobile development, before it ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2024. The studio has notable experience with working on mobile ports of major releases, including the Android and iOS release of Civilization 6.
While the two companies might have joined forces under a single banner, considering the statements on the official website, we are unlikely to see any remastered releases of games like The Simpsons: Hit & Run anytime soon.
