Mad Genius Software
Mad Genius Software, Llc was a Canadian video game company created in 1995 by Geoffrey Mark, Mike Jackson, and Keith Gillard in Vancouver, British Columbia. By the time the company dissolved in 1999 it had developed, produced and distributed one title, Gunmetal for the PC. Its slogan was "Crazy People, Smart Games."
Originally started as an artist's collective, the design and art teams worked ad hoc as external work schedules allowed. Over three years the core team grew from the three founders, a programmer and Andrew Brechin creating art to twelve artists and programmers. All art and programming milestones were reviewed by Mike Jackson at this time. No one on the team received salaries until the next phase. Geoffrey Mark reviewed major art milestones and reviewed any financial issues from Los Angeles where he lived.
In 1997 a Saskatchewan investment company, Platinum Investments, offered to fund completion and marketing of Gunmetal. By January 1998 US$1,500,000 was raised. The company opened an office at 200 Water Street in Vancouver, BC, Canada. At this point, the Producer and only American on the team, Geoffrey Mark, was able to get a work visa and join the company in Canada. Within three months, the company had 24 employees, including one in New Zealand.
Gunmetal was released across the continental US and Canada on August 31, 1998. The demo was number one in downloads for several weeks on Gamespot and other video game websites. In its first run, it sold 22,000 units into various stores. It was carried at Virgin Megastore, Fry's Electronics, Comp USA and others. As of December, 2006, the game demo of Gunmetal could still be downloaded from 3dgamers.com.
A software patch was distributed free of charge in October, 1998.
Problems with the Game engine and the programming of the patch soon caused major retailers to return the game for credits and the company was essentially bankrupt. The investment company cut them off in early 1998, forcing them to try and find Financing elsewhere to fix or rebuild their flawed product. The founders knew that there was no more money coming and apparently took steps to safeguard their personal financial positions, improperly soliciting "investments" from friends and family. Police complaints have been filed for Fraud and several lesser charges. When they filed for corporate bankruptcy, the Trustee was left with over 2.5 million in unsecured debts, and the Canadian Revenue Service demanding payment of unpaid tax and employee benefits. In addition, the US distributor of their product filed a countersuit amounting to $550k USD for damage caused to their reputation by Mad Genius' mishandling of the game and it's marketing.
Disagreements over sales revenue and other internal problems forced Mad Genius Software into receivership in March of 1999. Keith Gillard is currently a Venture Capital Investment Advisor in California where he struggles with allegations of fraud over his actions with Mad Genius. Mike Jackson is working in Vancouver and refuses to discuss his actions pending the outcome of Criminal Investigations and Civil Actions for recovery of misappropriated funds.