Targem Games

Targem Games is a Russian video game development studio established in 2002 and based in Yekaterinburg in the Ural region. The company has worked across personal-computer and console platforms, producing games in several genres rather than concentrating on a single long-running franchise. Its early commercial work was carried out in cooperation with the Russian publisher Buka, which contracted the studio to create Battle Mages. That project became Targem Games' first released title and established the studio internationally as a developer of strategy and role-playing hybrids. Battle Mages was released in Russia in 2003 and subsequently localized for a number of foreign markets, including China. An expansion, Battle Mages: Sign of Darkness, followed in Russia in 2004, while the original game reached the United States, Europe, and China during the same period. The studio then moved into vehicle-focused action and post-apocalyptic settings. Hard Truck Apocalypse, released in Russia in 2005 under the title Ex Machina, became one of the company's best-known early successes. Its North American release followed in 2006, and a related title, Hard Truck Apocalypse: Rise of Clans, was released that year. Further projects in the setting included Ex Machina: Arcade in 2007. During the second half of the 2000s, Targem Games broadened its portfolio. Day Watch, The Swarm, and GearGrinder were among the projects released in Russia between 2007 and 2008. In 2008, the studio obtained certified-developer status for Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3, reflecting an expansion from PC development into console production. The company also increased its international exposure through industry events, including its presentation at Game Connection Europe in 2009. GearGrinder and Clutch received worldwide releases, with Clutch becoming Targem Games' first game available through Steam. Targem Games subsequently developed and, in some cases, self-published downloadable console and digital titles. Armageddon Riders, released on PlayStation Network in June 2011, was the studio's first downloadable PlayStation 3 game and was both developed and self-published by Targem Games. The studio also developed Battle vs. Chess, released in Europe in 2011, and Planets Under Attack, released in 2012 for PlayStation 3, Steam, and Xbox Live Arcade with assistance from Topware. The company's broader development credits include Star Conflict, which was developed by Star Gem Inc., described as a branch of Targem Games. The studio's work has been recognized at the Russian Game Developer's Conference, where it received awards including Best Debut, Best Game Design, and Most Innovative Project. Publicly available reference material documents the company's formation, releases, platform certifications, distribution activity, and awards, but does not establish its current ownership, executive leadership, official website, financial performance, or present operating status. Those details therefore remain unspecified.

Targem Games was established in 2002 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Its first documented business engagement was a contract with the publisher Buka to develop Battle Mages. The game, an original combination of real-time strategy and role-playing mechanics, was released in Russia in 2003. It was later localized for several international markets, including China, giving the young studio an early overseas presence. Development of an expansion and another large project began after the original release. In 2004, Battle Mages reached the United States, Europe, and China, while the expansion Battle Mages: Sign of Darkness was released in Russia. Targem Games then shifted toward a post-apocalyptic vehicle-action setting. Hard Truck Apocalypse launched in Russia in 2005 under the name Ex Machina and performed successfully in that market. The title reached United States stores the following year, and Hard Truck Apocalypse: Rise of Clans was released in 2006. The related Ex Machina: Arcade appeared in Russia in 2007. The studio continued to diversify its production during the late 2000s. Day Watch was released in Russia in 2007, followed by The Swarm and GearGrinder in 2008. That same year, Targem Games became a certified developer for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This certification marked a significant platform expansion beyond its established PC activity. In 2009, the company was represented at Game Connection Europe. GearGrinder and Clutch subsequently received worldwide releases, and Clutch became the first Targem Games title available through Steam. The company increased its participation in downloadable and digitally distributed games during the early 2010s. Armageddon Riders was released on PlayStation Network on 2 June 2011. Targem Games both developed and self-published the title, making it an important example of the studio taking responsibility for distribution as well as production. In May 2011, Battle vs. Chess, a chess-themed game developed by the company, was released in Europe. In November 2012, Targem Games released Planets Under Attack for PlayStation 3. The game was also issued for Steam and Xbox Live Arcade with support from Topware. The company's documented development activities also include Star Conflict, credited to Star Gem Inc., a branch of Targem Games. Across its catalog, the studio has worked in strategy, role-playing, action, vehicle combat, arcade, and other genres, using both traditional retail publishing and digital distribution. It received several Russian Game Developer's Conference awards, including recognition for Best Debut, Best Game Design, and Most Innovative Project. The available reference material does not provide reliable information about the studio's founder, current management, ownership, financial results, current website, or whether it remains active. No unsupported assumptions are made about those matters.

• 2012

  Planets Under Attack released

  [1]Targem Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  The downloadable title launched for PlayStation 3 and was also released for Steam and Xbox Live Arcade with assistance from Topware.

• 2011

  Armageddon Riders reaches PlayStation Network

  [1]Targem Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Armageddon Riders became the studio's first downloadable PlayStation 3 game and was self-published by Targem Games.

• 2009

  International industry presentation

  [1]Targem Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  The studio was presented at Game Connection Europe; GearGrinder and Clutch also received worldwide releases around this period.

• 2008

  Console developer certification

  [1]Targem Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Targem Games obtained certified-developer status for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

• 2005

  Hard Truck Apocalypse released

  [1]Targem Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  The vehicle-action game was released in Russia under the title Ex Machina and became a notable success for the studio.

• 2004

  Battle Mages expanded internationally

  [1]Targem Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Battle Mages reached the United States, Europe, and China, while the Sign of Darkness expansion was released in Russia.

• 2003

  Battle Mages released in Russia

  [1]Targem Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  The studio's first released game, a real-time strategy and role-playing hybrid, launched in Russia.

• 2002

  Studio founded and Battle Mages contracted

  [1]Targem Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Targem Games was established and signed its first documented development contract with Buka for Battle Mages.

A Russian independent game developer with a cross-platform portfolio spanning PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, and other digital distribution channels. Its documented catalog combines strategy, role-playing, action, vehicle combat, arcade, and puzzle-oriented concepts, with particular visibility from Battle Mages and the Ex Machina vehicle-action series.

• Real-time strategy / role-playing game · 2003

  Battle Mages

  Targem Games' debut title combined real-time strategy systems with role-playing elements. It was first released in Russia in 2003 and later localized for international markets including the United States, Europe, and China. The game established the studio's early profile and was followed by the Sign of Darkness expansion.

• Expansion · 2004

  Battle Mages: Sign of Darkness

  An expansion to Battle Mages, released in Russia in 2004. It extended the studio's debut strategy and role-playing property after the original game's domestic and international releases.

• Vehicle action game · 2005

  Hard Truck Apocalypse / Ex Machina

  A post-apocalyptic vehicle-action game released in Russia in 2005 as Ex Machina and later distributed in the United States. Its success in Russia made it one of Targem Games' most prominent early projects and led to related releases.

• Vehicle action game · 2006

  Hard Truck Apocalypse: Rise of Clans

  A follow-up title in the Hard Truck Apocalypse / Ex Machina line, released in 2006. It continued the studio's work in post-apocalyptic vehicle-oriented gameplay.

• Arcade action game · 2007

  Ex Machina: Arcade

  An arcade-oriented entry related to the Ex Machina setting, released in Russia in 2007.

• Video game · 2007

  Day Watch

  A Targem Games title released in Russia in 2007. The available reference material identifies the release but does not provide enough detail to characterize its mechanics or commercial positioning more precisely.

• Video game · 2008

  The Swarm

  A game released by Targem Games in Russia in 2008. Public reference material confirms the title and date but does not provide sufficient detail for a fuller product description.

• Vehicle action game · 2008

  GearGrinder

  A vehicle-focused game released in Russia in 2008 and worldwide thereafter. It helped extend Targem Games' international distribution and was among the studio's titles released beyond its domestic market.

• Vehicle action game · 2009

  Clutch

  A game released worldwide by Targem Games and notable as the company's first title available through Steam. Its digital availability represented an early step into a broader PC distribution channel.

• Downloadable PlayStation 3 game · 2011

  Armageddon Riders

  Released on PlayStation Network on 2 June 2011, Armageddon Riders was Targem Games' first downloadable PlayStation 3 title. The studio both developed and self-published the game.

• Chess game · 2011

  Battle vs. Chess

  A chess game developed by Targem Games and released in Europe in 2011, demonstrating the studio's movement beyond its strategy, role-playing, and vehicle-action work.

• Downloadable strategy game · 2012

  Planets Under Attack

  A downloadable game released for PlayStation 3 in November 2012 and also issued for Steam and Xbox Live Arcade with assistance from Topware.

• Online space combat game

  Star Conflict

  Star Conflict was developed by Star Gem Inc., identified in reference material as a branch of Targem Games. The title is therefore associated with the wider Targem development organization rather than directly credited solely to the parent studio name.

• 2011

  Self-publishing of Armageddon RidersStrategy

  Background

  The studio moved further into digital distribution with its first downloadable PlayStation 3 project.

  Action taken

  Targem Games developed and self-published Armageddon Riders through PlayStation Network.

  Aftermath

  The release demonstrated a greater degree of control over distribution for a digital console title.

  Source

• 2008

  Expansion into certified console developmentStrategy

  Background

  After establishing a PC-focused portfolio, Targem Games pursued formal development certification for major seventh-generation consoles.

  Action taken

  The studio obtained certified-developer status for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

  Aftermath

  The certification supported the company's subsequent console and downloadable releases, including Armageddon Riders and Planets Under Attack.

  Source

1. 1Targem Gamesen.wikipedia.org