View source for FoxNext

{{Short description|Video game, virtual reality and theme park company}}
{{For|the defunct Portugal television station|Fox Next}}
{{Infobox company
| name = FoxNext, LLC
| logo = FoxNext company logo.png
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| fate = Closed by Disney; gaming assets sold to [[Scopely]]
| industry = {{ubl|[[Video game industry|Video games]]|[[Amusement park]]s}}
| predecessors = [[Fox Digital Entertainment]]
| successors = [[Scopely]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|2017|01|18}}
| defunct = {{End date and age|2020|01|23}}
| hq_location_city = [[Los Angeles, California]]
| hq_location_country = [[United States|U.S.]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{ubl|Salil Mehta (president)|James Finn (executive vice President, head of marketing)}}
| owner = <!--  [[Template:Infobox company]] states: If the company is majority-owned by a single entity and as such is a subsidiary or division, omit the owner field and use the parent field instead. Do not use the owner field to indicate top-level ownership if it differs from the direct parent. -->
| parent = [[Fox Entertainment Group]] (2017–2019)<br>[[Disney Parks, Experiences and Products]] (2019–2020)
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20190429082716/https://www.foxnext.com/ www.foxnext.com] (archived in April 29, 2019) (now deleted)
}}
'''FoxNext, LLC''' was a virtual reality and theme park unit of 20th Century Fox, now known as [[20th Century Studios]]. It was established in 2017 prior to [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|Disney's acquisition of Fox]] and operated under the [[Disney Parks, Experiences and Products]] unit of [[The Walt Disney Company]]. It handled the development and publishing of [[virtual reality]] and [[augmented reality]] titles, as well as the development of 20th Century Studios's theme and amusement parks. The division's president was Salil Mehta, a former executive from [[NBCUniversal]] and [[The Walt Disney Company]], who has been with Fox since 2013 and later returned to Disney after Disney acquired Fox in 2019 until on January 23, 2020, when the company's gaming assets were sold to [[Scopely]].<ref name="variety"/><ref name="dl"/>
==History==
===Formation===
FoxNext was formed on January 18, 2017, with the announcement of Salil Mehta as division president transferring from his prior post as president of content management for Twentieth Century Fox Film. The division president would answer to chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group, and chairman and CEO of Twentieth Century Fox Film, who at the time were Peter Rice and Stacey Snider, respectively. The two video gaming units responsible for ''[[The Simpsons: Tapped Out]]'' mobile game, Fox Digital Entertainment, and the ''[[Alien: Isolation]]'' console/PC game would become a single unit under FoxNext. The division also gain the over site of the existing 20th Century Fox World theme park project under development as part of its location-based entertainment business<ref name="variety">{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/fox-immersive-business-with-foxnext-taps-salil-mehta-1201962954/ | title = Fox Amps Up Immersive Business With FoxNext, Taps Salil Mehta | first = Dave | last = McNary | date = January 18, 2017 | access-date = January 19, 2017 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] }}</ref> transferred from Fox Consumer Products.<ref name=cnn/>
FoxNext on January 19, 2017, announced a VR slate with Chris Milk's and former Googler Aaron Koblin's Within VR company, which was founded in 2014 as VRSE with funding from Fox, [[Legendary Pictures]] and others. This slate, which would be available via the Within app, included another ”Planet of the Apes”, original works from Milk, Spike Jonze and Megan Ellison and Annapurna Pictures.<ref name="vty" /> On June 6, 2017, it acquired Aftershock Studios (formerly [[Kabam]]'s Los Angeles and San Francisco studios) with Aftershock head Aaron Loeb becoming president of studios for FoxNext Games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ng |first1=David |title=20th Century Fox expands gaming portfolio by acquiring Aftershock |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-fox-aftershock-gaming-20170606-story.html |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 6, 2017}}</ref>
On June 1, 2017, FoxNext announced that veteran marketing executive James Finn has been named executive VP and head of marketing for FoxNext.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |title=Veteran Marketing Executive James Finn Tapped for FoxNext Post |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/people-news/james-finn-foxnext-executive-1202449458/ |access-date=July 2, 2019 |work=Variety |date=June 1, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> FoxNext added Marc Zachary as FoxNext Destinations' senior vice president of business development.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roettgers |first1=Janko  |title=FoxNext Hires Former Disney VP Marc Zachary to Lead Destination Biz |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/foxnext-marc-zachary-1202574029/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=September 27, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
On July 27, 2017, FoxNext Games announced that they were developing an action/RPG multiplayer mobile game, ''[[Marvel Strike Force]]'', in conjunction with [[Marvel Entertainment]] and Aftershock Studios on the [[Marvel Universe]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Marvel Superheroes (and Villains) Coming to New Mobile Game From FoxNext |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/marvel-superheroes-coming-to-new-mobile-game-from-foxnext-games-1202508175/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=July 27, 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title='Marvel Strike Force' Mobile Fighting Game Release Date Set for 2018 (Video) |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/marvel-strike-force-mobile-game-app-release-date-2018-1202618502/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=November 20, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> Released on March 28, 2018, ''Marvel Strike Force'' brought in $150 million in revenue over its first year.<ref name="hwr">{{cite news |last1=Shanley |first1=Patrick |title='Marvel Strike Force' Generates $150 Million in First Year |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marvel-strike-force-unlock-captain-marvel-as-playable-character-1193065 |access-date=January 29, 2020 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 7, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
FoxNext also published game by other studios including ''Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow'' (2017) and ''The X-Files: Deep State'' (2018).<ref name="hwr"/> The games division formed in March 2018 Fogbank Entertainment in San Francisco splitting them off from Aftershock Studios.<ref name="vb">{{cite news | url = https://venturebeat.com/2020/01/24/disney-will-close-foxnexts-fogbank-entertainment-game-studio/ | title = Disney will close FoxNext's Fogbank Entertainment game studio | first = Dean | last = Takahashi | date = January 27, 2020 | access-date = January 27, 2020 | work = [[Venture Beat]] }}</ref>
FoxNext acquired in January 2018 Cold Iron Studios from Perfect World Entertainment games publisher.<ref name="vty1">{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd  |title=21st Century Fox's FoxNext Games Acquires Studio Developing 'Alien' Shooter Title |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/foxnext-games-cold-iron-studios-acquisition-alien-1202664999/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=January 17, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> On April 26, 2018, FoxNext opened its first virtual-reality experience location-based, “Alien: Descent”, at The Outlets at Orange mall in Orange County, California.<ref name="vty2">{{cite news |last1=Roettgers |first1=Janko |title=Fox's FoxNext Unit Makes Its Mark With VR, Mobile Games |url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/fox-vr-mobile-games-1202795693/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=May 3, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
On 29 April 2018, the Dubai park was put on indefinite hold by the Al Ahli Group amid concerns that there was a "serious supply" of theme parks in Dubai.<ref name="Dubai park on hold"/> In late 2018 Genting Malaysia and FoxNext started legal actions against each other over 20th Century Fox World delays.<ref name=rtr>{{cite news |last1=Stempel |first1=Jonathan |title=Disney, Fox deny claims in $1 billion Malaysia theme park lawsuit |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fox-disney-genting-malaysia/disney-fox-deny-claims-in-1-billion-malaysia-theme-park-lawsuit-idUSKCN1NW2FH |access-date=March 25, 2019 |work=Reuters |date=November 27, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The two parties settled out of court in July 2019.<ref name=vty3>{{cite news |last1=Frater |first1=Patrick |title=Genting and Fox Settle Malaysian Theme Park Battle |url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/asia/genting-disney-fox-settle-malaysian-theme-park-battle-1203280870/ |access-date=July 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=July 26, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
FoxNext indicated on February 7, 2019, the opening of a development fund to assist indie developers with resources and support. Altered Matter's ''Etherborn'' game is the first to join FoxNext Games indie games portfolio.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gera |first1=Emily |title=20th Century Fox Signs 'Etherborn' to Newly Announced Indie Development Fund |url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/20th-century-fox-etherborn-indie-development-fund-1203130573/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=February 7, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
===Sale of assets to [[Scopely]]===
FoxNext was one of the properties acquired by [[The Walt Disney Company]] upon its [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|acquisition of 21st Century Fox]]. In September 2019, Disney indicated it was looking to sell or shuttering parts of FoxNext.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gemmill |first=Allie |date=2020-01-22 |title=Disney to Sell 20th Century Fox Video Game Division to Mobile Gaming Developer Scopely |url=https://collider.com/disney-20th-century-fox-video-game-division-sale/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref> In the past Disney, led by CEO [[Bob Iger]], has eliminated in-house video game development and relying on third-parties to develop games based on its IP, after shutting down [[Disney Interactive Studios]] back in 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-09-11-disney-reportedly-planning-sale-of-gaming-division-foxnext | title = Disney reportedly planning sale of gaming division FoxNext | first=  Rebekah | last= Valentine | date = September 10, 2019 | access-date = September 10, 2019 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] }}</ref> Disney sold the FoxNext Games division, which included FoxNext Games Los Angeles, Cold Iron Studios and Aftershock, to mobile game developer [[Scopely]] in January 2020 for an amount; which are still yet to be disclosed since 2020; Scopely stated it later plans to divest itself of Cold Iron Studios as they develop games for consoles and personal computers. The deal includes most of the IP developed by the studios excluding properties specifically owned by Fox distinct from the Disney acquisition.<ref name="dl">{{cite news | url = https://deadline.com/2020/01/disney-sells-foxnext-games-los-angeles-and-cold-iron-studios-to-scopely-1202837961/ | title = Disney Sells FoxNext Games Los Angeles And Cold Iron Studios To Scopely | first=  Dade | last = Hayes | date = January 22, 2020 | access-date = January 22, 2020 | work = [[Deadline Hollywood]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/disney-sells-foxnext-games-scopely-1203475758/ | title = Disney Sells FoxNext Games Unit to Scopely | first=  Todd | last = Spangler | date = January 23, 2020 | access-date = February 3, 2020 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] }}</ref> Fogbank Entertainment was shuttered later in January 2020.<ref name="vb"/>
===Legacy===
[[File:20th Century Games.svg|thumb|The logo of 20th Century Games since 2022.]]
In 2021, The Walt Disney Company formed '''20th Century Games''' as the new video game division for 20th Century Studios. However, unlike FoxNext or Fox Interactive, 20th Century Games is not a video game publisher, it only functions as a license holder for 20th Century Studios' properties, similar to [[Lucasfilm Games]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hyperhype.es/disney-crea-20th-century-games-y-nadie-esta-hablando-de-ello/ | title=DISNEY CREA 20TH CENTURY GAMES PERO NADIE HABLA DE ELLO - Hyperhype | date=July 18, 2022 }}</ref>
One of the projects originally worked on at FoxNext - ''[[Aliens: Fireteam Elite]]'', was reassigned to 20th Century Games for licensing after the sale of Cold Iron from Scopely to [[Daybreak Game Company]].
==Assets==
*FoxNext Games
**FoxNext Games Los Angeles (January 2020; sold to Scopely)<ref name="dl"/>
**Aftershock (June 2017—January 2020;<ref name="vty0">{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=21st Century Fox's FoxNext Acquires Mobile Game Studio Group Developing 'Avatar' Title |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/foxnext-acquires-aftershock-kabam-mobile-game-studios-1202453866/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=June 6, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> sold to Scopely)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/news/disney-sell-fox-video-game-division-scopely-1271987|title = Disney to Sell Fox Video Game Division to Scopely| website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date = 22 January 2020}}</ref>
**Cold Iron Studios (January 2018<ref name="vty1"/>—January 2020; sold to Scopely and then to [[Daybreak Game Company]])<ref name="dl"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=McAloon|first=Alissa|title=H1Z1 dev Daybreak Games acquires Cold Iron Studios|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/368012/H1Z1_dev_Daybreak_Games_acquires_Cold_Iron_Studios.php|access-date=2020-10-21|website=www.gamasutra.com|date=11 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
**Fogbank Entertainment (March 2018—January 2020; closed by Disney)<ref name="vb"/>
*FoxNext Destinations<ref name="vty0"/>
*FoxNext VR Studio
==Theme parks==
[[Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products]] announced a series of Twentieth Century Fox World theme parks in Asia in early to mid-2010s. Fox and [[Genting Malaysia Berhad]] agreed in 2013 to build a Twentieth Century Fox World theme park, the first such branded park.<ref name=cnn>{{cite news |last1=Cripps |first1= Karla  |title=Twentieth Century Fox announces plans for first theme park |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/twentieth-century-fox-theme-park/ |access-date=July 2, 2019 |work=CNN Travel |date=December 17, 2013 |language=en}}</ref> With [[Village Roadshow Theme Parks]] in 2014, Fox agreed to build a Fox World in South Korea.<ref name=lat>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Hugo |title=20th Century Fox to build theme park in South Korea |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-twentieth-century-fox-theme-park-korea-20140716-story.html |access-date=July 2, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 16, 2014}}</ref> In November 2015, Fox and Al Ahli Holding Group agreed to build a 20th Century Fox World near [[Dubai]] in [[United Arab Emirates]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Hugo|title=20th Century Fox World set to open in Dubai in 2018|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-20th-century-fox-dubai-20151103-story.html|access-date=5 April 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=3 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004221041/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-20th-century-fox-dubai-20151103-story.html|archive-date=4 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> under an agreement that would allow Al Ahli to build a total of four Fox Worlds outside of the US.<ref name="Dubai park on hold">{{cite news|title=Dubai's 20th Century Fox World theme park on hold, says CEO|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/travel-hospitality/395355-dubais-20th-century-fox-world-theme-park-on-hold|date=29 April 2018|work=Arabian Business|first=Jeremy|last=Lawrence|access-date=13 April 2019}}</ref>
[[Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products]] and [[Genting Malaysia Berhad]] agreed in 2013 to build a Twentieth Century Fox World theme park, the first such branded park. Genting funded the $300 million, 25 acre, park which consisted of 25 rides and attractions based on Fox films.<ref name=cnn/> 20th Century Fox issued a default notice in regards to its licensing agreement for the then-under construction [[20th Century Fox World (Malaysia)|20th Century Fox World]] theme park in Malaysia by Genting Malaysia Bhd. In November 2018 Genting Malaysia filed suit in response and included soon to be parent [[The Walt Disney Company]].<ref name=rtr/> The two parties settled out of court in July 2019 in which the Fox name would be dropped from the park while certain Fox properties would be available for Genting to finish the park with the addition of non-Fox properties.<ref name=vty3/> In May 2020, the Genting Group confirmed that the new name for the park would be called [[Genting SkyWorlds]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Genting Malaysia to rightsize workforce, management offered pay cut|date=22 May 2020 |url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/2020/05/594765/genting-malaysia-rightsize-workforce-management-offered-pay-cut |publisher=New Straits Times |access-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref>
With [[Village Roadshow Theme Parks]] in 2014, Fox agreed to build a 75-acre Fox World in 700-acre Ungdong Entertainment Complex, [[Changwon|Changwon City, South Korea]]. Village Roadshow would operate the park.<ref name=lat/> Fox may have backed off from the Ungdong location due to the investigation into [[South Gyeongsang]] Governor [[Hong Joon-pyo]]. By May 16, 2015, Fox Global Location Based Entertainment was looking at building a theme park on [[Yeongjong Island]], [[Incheon]] with Incheon Metropolitan Government as a potential investor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mo-Ran |first1=Choi |title=20th Century Fox may build theme park in Korea |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3004234 |access-date=July 2, 2019 |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |date=May 16, 2015}}</ref>
On 29 April 2018, the park was put on indefinite hold by the Al Ahli Group amid concerns from its CEO Mohammed Khammas that there was a "serious supply" of theme parks in Dubai.<ref name="Dubai park on hold"/>
===Locations===
* [[20th Century Fox World (Malaysia)]]
* [[20th Century Fox World (Dubai)]] – planned location in [[Dubai]] that began development in 2015,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Hugo|title=20th Century Fox World set to open in Dubai in 2018|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-20th-century-fox-dubai-20151103-story.html|access-date=5 April 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=3 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004221041/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-20th-century-fox-dubai-20151103-story.html|archive-date=4 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Cieply|first1=Michael|title=Fox to Open Theme Park in Dubai in 2018|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/04/business/media/fox-to-open-theme-park-in-dubai-in-2018.html?_r=0|access-date=5 April 2017|work=The New York Times|date=3 November 2015}}</ref> but the project was later put on indefinite hold in 2018.<ref name="Dubai park on hold" />
* 20th Century Fox World (South Korea)
==Virtual reality==
Fox Innovation Lab was the source for the division's VR subdivision with its "The Martian VR Experience" 2016 released<ref name="vty">{{cite news |last1=Roettgers |first1=Janko |title=Fox's New VR Unit FoxNext Partners With Chris Milk's Within for 'Planet of the Apes' Experience |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/fox-foxnext-within-planet-of-the-apes-vr-1201963271/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=January 19, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> which was had a low review and highly discounted later.<ref name="vty2"/> In January 2017 at [[Consumer Electronics Show|CES]], Fox Innovation Lab announced a "Planet of the Apes" VR experience with Imaginati Studio as producer.<ref name="vty"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Roettgers |first1=Janko |title='Planet of the Apes' Is Getting a Virtual Reality Experience |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/planet-of-the-apes-vr-experience-1201952858/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=January 5, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''[[Crisis on the Planet of the Apes VR]]'' (April 3, 2018) game for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR; inherited from Fox Innovation Lab with Imaginati Studio as producer<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roettgers |first1=Janko |title='Planet of the Apes' VR Game Coming to Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR This April |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/planet-of-the-apes-vr-game-1202710961/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=February 27, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
* "Alien: Descent" (April 26, 2018) location base experience at The Outlets, Orange mall, Orange County, California.<ref name="vty2"/>
==Video games==
[[Fox Interactive]] (sold to [[Vivendi Games|Vivendi Universal Games]] in 2003) was 20th Century Fox's first video game division when it was founded in 1994 by former [[Time Warner Interactive]] executive Ted Hoff. [[Fox Digital Entertainment]] would be the second Fox video game division when it was founded in 2010, but it solely focused on making games for mobile devices.
* ''Marvel Strike Force'' mobile game (March 2018) FoxNext Games LA <ref name="vty2"/>
* ''[[Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow]]'' mobile game (June 29, 2017) TinyCo (Jam City), Groening and his Curiosity Co. and animation studio Rough Draft Studios<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title='Futurama' Free Mobile Game Launches With Original Cast — And the Hypnotoad |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/futurama-worlds-of-tomorrow-mobile-game-free-1202482350/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=June 29, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''The X-Files: Deep State'' mystery-investigation puzzle game (February 6, 2018) Estonia-based game studio Creative Mobile<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title='X-Files: Deep State' Alien-Invasion Mystery Game on Tap for February 2018 Release |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/x-files-mobile-game-2018-1202624853/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=November 28, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Alien: Blackout'' mobile game (January 2019) D3 Go!, Rival Games<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crecente |first1=Brian |title='Alien: Blackout' Is a Survival Horror Mobile Game Starring Amanda Ripley |url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/alien-blackout-is-a-survival-horror-mobile-game-starring-amanda-ripley-1203101143/ |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=Variety |date=January 7, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Storyscape'' - Fogbank Entertainment
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|www.foxnext.com}}
{{20th Century Studios}}
{{Disney}}
[[Category:Former subsidiaries of The Walt Disney Company]]
[[Category:Disney acquisitions]]
[[Category:Amusement park developers]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies disestablished in 2020]]
[[Category:Video game publishers]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 2017]]
[[Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2020]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2017]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 2020]]
[[Category:Defunct video game companies of the United States]]
[[Category:2020 mergers and acquisitions]]