Masthead Studios

Masthead Studios was founded in Bulgaria in 2005 and developed a profile around online games, particularly massively multiplayer online role-playing games. The studio's early work included both game production and the development of technology intended to support large-scale online experiences. Its most important early independent project was Earthrise, a science-fiction MMO that remained in development for approximately six years. The long production period covered both the game and its underlying engine, reflecting the technical demands of building a persistent multiplayer world. In April 2009, Masthead Studios became connected with Interplay's plans for Fallout Online. Interplay announced that it was working with the Bulgarian studio to complete the Fallout universe-based MMO. The arrangement became complicated later that year when Bethesda began legal action against Interplay. Bethesda's position concerned Interplay's efforts to recruit Masthead Studios for the project eleven days after Bethesda had revoked the Fallout license. The dispute concluded with the rights previously granted to Interplay for an online Fallout game returning to Bethesda. The available record does not show that Masthead released or completed the proposed Fallout project. Earthrise was released in February 2011 as Masthead Studios' first independent project. At the beginning of 2012, ownership and management of the game moved to Silent Future, a company based in Germany, which took responsibility for further development. This transfer marked a change in the commercial and operational stewardship of the title while Masthead's role remained tied to its original development. The studio next worked on Guns and Robots, an online shooter featuring robots that players could customize. The project adopted a free-to-play format during its testing phase and used Unity for its graphics and atmosphere. Development proceeded through a limited closed beta and an open beta launched in January 2013. Following the open beta's reception, the game was approved on Steam Greenlight and became available on Steam, giving the project a distribution route beyond its initial testing audience. Masthead's later documented output moved beyond its earlier MMO emphasis. Soul Grabber was developed and published on Steam in 2019, while Mr Robo Gun: Bullets Ricochet Puzzle appeared as an Android mobile release in 2020. Together, these projects show the studio working across persistent online games, multiplayer action, PC distribution, and mobile puzzle-oriented software. Public reference material does not establish the company's current management, ownership, headquarters, website, or operating status. No reliable information is therefore available to characterize Masthead Studios as currently active or defunct.

• 2020

  Mr Robo Gun: Bullets Ricochet Puzzle released

  [1]Masthead Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  The studio released the Android mobile game Mr Robo Gun: Bullets Ricochet Puzzle.

• 2019

  Soul Grabber released on Steam

  [1]Masthead Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Masthead Studios developed and published Soul Grabber for PC through Steam.

• 2013

  Guns and Robots open beta launched

  [1]Masthead Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  The robot-customization online shooter entered open beta after limited closed testing and later became available through Steam.

• 2012

  Earthrise transferred to Silent Future

  [1]Masthead Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Ownership and management of Earthrise moved to Silent Future for continued development.

• 2011

  Earthrise released

  [1]Masthead Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Masthead Studios released Earthrise, its first independent project, after an extended development cycle involving both the game and its engine.

• 2009

  Fallout Online development collaboration announced

  [1]Masthead Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Interplay announced a working relationship with Masthead Studios for development of the proposed Fallout Online MMO.

• 2005

  Masthead Studios founded

  [1]Masthead Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  The Bulgarian video game developer was established and began building a specialization in online and massively multiplayer games.

An online-game-focused Bulgarian development studio with experience spanning massively multiplayer role-playing games, customizable multiplayer shooters, and smaller PC and mobile releases.

• Massively multiplayer online role-playing game · 2011

  Earthrise

  Earthrise was Masthead Studios' first independent project and a science-fiction massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The title and its engine were developed over approximately six years before release in February 2011. At the beginning of 2012, ownership and management of the game were transferred to Silent Future, a Germany-based company, for further development.

• Online shooter · 2013

  Guns and Robots

  Guns and Robots is an online shooter built around customizable robot characters. The game was offered in a free-to-play format during testing, progressing from a limited closed beta to an open beta in January 2013. Its graphics and atmosphere were produced with the Unity game engine, and the title later passed Steam Greenlight and became available on Steam.

• PC video game · 2019

  Soul Grabber

  Soul Grabber was a PC game developed and published by Masthead Studios. It was released through Steam in 2019 and is the latest documented PC game developed and published by the studio in the available reference material.

• Android mobile game · 2020

  Mr Robo Gun: Bullets Ricochet Puzzle

  Mr Robo Gun: Bullets Ricochet Puzzle was released as an Android mobile game in 2020. The title represents Masthead Studios' documented move into mobile software alongside its earlier online and PC development work.

• 2013

  Moved Guns and Robots from closed to open betaProduct launch

  Background

  Guns and Robots was being developed as a customizable-robot online shooter using a free-to-play model during testing.

  Action taken

  Masthead Studios expanded testing from a limited closed beta to an open beta in January 2013, subsequently pursuing Steam distribution.

  Aftermath

  The game was approved through Steam Greenlight and became available on Steam.

  Source

• 2012

  Transferred Earthrise ownership and managementM&A

  Background

  After Earthrise's release, continued operation and development required a new ownership and management arrangement.

  Action taken

  Ownership and management of Earthrise were transferred to Silent Future, a Germany-based company.

  Aftermath

  Silent Future assumed responsibility for further development of the game, separating its ongoing stewardship from Masthead Studios' original development role.

  Source

• 2009

  Joined Interplay's Fallout Online development effortStrategy

  Background

  Interplay was pursuing a massively multiplayer online game set in the Fallout universe and announced that it was working with Masthead Studios on the project.

  Action taken

  Masthead Studios participated as the proposed development partner for completing the online Fallout project.

  Aftermath

  Bethesda pursued legal action against Interplay over the project, and the rights granted to Interplay for an online Fallout game ultimately returned to Bethesda. No release by Masthead Studios is documented.

  Source

1. 1Masthead Studiosen.wikipedia.org