 | |
| Formerly | Headgate Studios (1992–2006) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1992 inBountiful, Utah |
| Founder | Vance Cook |
| Defunct | April 2017 |
| Fate | Dissolved |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Products | PGA Tour(2000–07) |
| Parent | Sierra On-Line (1996–1999) Electronic Arts (2006–2017) |
EA Salt Lake was an American video game developer located inSalt Lake City, Utah, United States. It was owned by video game publisherElectronic Arts (EA).
EA Salt Lake was founded by the studio's president, Vance Cook, asHeadgate Studios in1992. As a veteranprogrammer for years atAccess Software, the onetime premier developer of golf simulations, Cook had the experience and knowledge of how to create a rewarding golfing experience. Headgate's first product was PentaCalc, a scientific calculator for Windows.
In April 1996 the studio was purchased bySierra On-Line. Initially, Headgate solely developed golf games published by Sierra, starting withFront Page Sports: Golf.[1] On February 22, 1999, Sierra announced a major restructuring of their company, and sold the rights of the original studio back to Cook as a new corporate entity.
In 2000, Headgate began publishing games throughElectronic Arts. Headgate began developingTiger Woods PGA Tour for the PC based on their existing golf engine. They were assigned by EA to develop the title on PlayStation 2 for the 2007 title, and Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and Wii for the 2008 title.
Headgate developed everyMicrosoft Windows version of theTiger Woods PGA TourEA Sports franchise from 2000 to 2007. Headgate's golf games consistently got high praise from industry reviewers and have won numerous industry awards.[2][3][4][5][6]
On December 1, 2006, Headgate Studios wasacquired by Electronic Arts. Headgate was renamed EA Salt Lake. The studio's focus was redirected to developing games forNintendo's new console, theWii.[7]
On July 21, 2010, EA Salt Lake was moved from its home inBountiful, Utah to a new state-of-the-art facility in downtownSalt Lake City,Utah, United States.[8]
In 2011, EA Salt Lake was moved to theMaxis division of Electronic Arts, where it developedfour expansion packs for thelife simulation gameThe Sims 3.[9]
After the last expansion pack forThe Sims 3,Into the Future, was released, a restructure to focus on mobile titles took place in January 2014.[10] EA closed down the studio in April 2017.[citation needed]
