High Voltage Software

High Voltage Software was founded by Kerry J. Ganofsky on April 23, 1993,[1] following his graduation from college.[2] Out of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, the company started out with four employees and used old doors set on top of sawhorses as desks.[2] In June 2006, the company had 160 employees.[3]

In 2008 interviews, High Voltage leadership expressed interest in improving the quality of contemporary third-party Wii games.[4] The company developed Quantum3, a game engine that specifically targets Wii deployment.[5] The engine itself had been used in several previous titles made by the developer, but was heavily upgraded for higher performance on Wii.[6]

Since that time, High Voltage Software has been active in eighth generation software, developing ports for Injustice: Gods Among Us, Mortal Kombat X and Saints Row: Re-Elected,[7] as well as leading development on Saints Row: Gat out of Hell.

High Voltage Software remains focused on emerging technology and new markets. At E3 2015, High Voltage and Oculus VR announced the development of Damaged Core. A playable demo was available at the Oculus booth, featuring hands-on gameplay which showcased the first-person shooter genre on the Oculus hardware. The title released as an Oculus Rift exclusive in August 2016 to critical acclaim.[8] The company's second VR title, Dragon Front, released less than three months later as a cross-platform title on Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR.[9]

On December 17, 2014, Ganofsky announced that High Voltage would be opening a satellite studio for the company in Place St. Charles in New Orleans.[2] The opening, scheduled for early 2015, would provide 80 new job opportunities in the area, with initial staff transferred from the company's Hoffman Estates headquarters.[2][10] Through the opening, High Voltage was able to take advantage of local financial incentives, including a US$150,000 performance-based grant to cover relocation costs, workforce training programs and a digital media incentive.[2][11][12] Prior to the announcement, Ganofsky also considered opening the studio in Georgia or Florida, but found New Orleans to be a better cultural fit for High Voltage.[2] As a result, talks between economic development leaders in the area and Ganofsky began in October 2013.[2]

• Official website