Tantalus Media
Background
Tantalus Media was founded in 1994 in Melbourne by Trevor Nuridin and Andrew Bailey. First known as "Tantalus Entertainment", it was partially owned by Perfect Entertainment during the 1990's. Then in 1998, it was separated from Perfect Entertainment and became independent, thus renamed to "Tantalus Interactive". In 2007, it was renamed to its current name following an investment from the private company Netus.
During 2009, when many Australian studios were forced to close, Tantalus cut off their subsidiary in Brisbane and heavily reduced the number of employees in their main office (from 70 in 2008 to just 18). However, the company survived and is still active as a second party developer for THQ Nordic, who publishes all their games. In March 2021, Tantalus was acquired by Keywords Studios.
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| 1st Logo (February 15, 1996-June 27, 1997) | 2nd Logo (1999-July 28, 2000) | 3rd Logo (March 5, 2001) | 4th Logo (August 28, 2002-October 31, 2003) | 5th Logo (November 2, 2004-) |
1st Logo (February 15, 1996-June 27, 1997)
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Logo without "ENTERTAINMENT"
Visuals: There is a chess background with a black shiny circle, and a golden ancient helmet in the center. The word "TANTALUS" zooms in letter-by-letter, then "ENTERTAINMENT" is wiped below.
Variant: On some games, "ENTERTAINMENT" is absent.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: A simple fading synth entry.
Availability: Seen on three games: Krazy Ivan, Area 51 and the Sega Saturn version of Wipeout.
2nd Logo (1999-July 28, 2000)
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Visuals: There is a blue 3D helmet inside a circle, panned a bit. Below is the website "www.tantalus.com.au".
Variant: On Mary King: Riding Star, the company name is seen in front of the logo with "active" in blue and "next gen game development" below the name. It also shares the screen with the Subliminal Software logo above.
Technique: A still CG image.
Audio: None.
Availability: Seen on South Park Rally for PC, PS1, N64 and Dreamcast. The variation was seen on Mary King: Riding Star.
3rd Logo (March 5, 2001)
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Visuals: There is a ghostly blue circle with the helmet logo hanging in the center and words emitting light and orbiting around the helmet. The words contain the company name with "active" first red, then green. The helmet becomes solid, and the name fades in the line. The website appears below.
Technique: CGI.
Audio: A warbling synth entry.
Availability: Only seen on Mary-Kate and Ashley: Winners Circle for PS1.
4th Logo (August 28, 2002-October 31, 2003)
Visuals: Over a white background is the same helmet design used in previous logos, with "TANTALUS" in the same color below. The website in black appears underneath.
Technique: A still CG image.
Audio: None.
Availability: Seen on Top Gear Rally, Woody Woodpecker in Crazy Castle 5, Monster Truck Madness and ATV: Quad Power Racing, all for GBA.
5th Logo (November 2, 2004-)
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SpongeBob Squarepants: The Yellow Avenger -
Cars Race-o-Rama -
MX vs. ATV: On the Edge -
The Polar Express -
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Visuals: There is an elongated blue-colored oblong shield, with a circle on the left showing the helmet. The word "TANTALUS" is right on the shield. Sometimes, the shield has a 3D effect, and the white parts slam into it.
Variants:
- On SpongeBob Squarepants: The Yellow Avenger, the banner hangs underwater, and a moving jellyfish creates the helmet and the last letter "S". Then a speeding jellyfish passes by and creates bubbles, which place on the benner and turn into letters.
- On Cars Race-o-Rama, a light spot moves through the logo.
- On MX vs. ATV: On the Edge, the plain logo is seen and a biker is thrown behind, followed by his bike.
- On The Polar Express for GBA, it's snowing.
- Sometimes, the logo shares the screen with other logos on NDS games.
Technique: Shining effects.
Audio: Generally none. Sometimes, two metal slams are heard.
Availability: Seen on the aforementioned games, among others for PSP. Also appeared still on Pony Friends 2.
