Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 28, 2026

Underground Development

Underground Development, Ltd. was an American video game developer based in Foster City, California. It was founded in 1994 by David Luntz and sold to Activision in May 2002. Following a rebranding to Underground Development in February 2008, the company was closed in February 2010.

Last revised
May 28, 2026
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≈ 2 min
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Wikipedia ↗
Underground Development, Ltd.
FormerlyZ-Axis, Ltd. (1994–2008)
Company type
Subsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded1994 (1994) in San Mateo, California, U.S.
FounderDavid Luntz
DefunctFebruary 12, 2010 (2010-02-12)
FateDissolved
Headquarters
Foster City, California
,
U.S.
Number of employees
<45 (2008)
ParentActivision (2002–2010)

Underground Development, Ltd. (formerly Z-Axis, Ltd.) was an American video game developer based in Foster City, California. It was founded in 1994 by David Luntz and sold to Activision in May 2002. Following a rebranding to Underground Development in February 2008, the company was closed in February 2010.

History

Z-Axis was founded by David Luntz in 1994,1 originally located in San Mateo, California.2 On May 22, 2002, Activision announced that they had acquired Z-Axis in exchange for a payment of US$20.5 million in cash and stock, and up to 93,446 additional shares in Activision linked to the studio's performance.34 At the time, the studio was located in Hayward, California.3 In February 2008, Z-Axis was rebranded as Underground Development.56

Activision reported in April 2008 that they were closing Underground Development, which had the time had under 45 employees in a Foster City, California office, at the end of the coming May.789 The studio was fully closed on February 12, 2010.1011

Games developed as Z-Axis

Year Title Platform(s)
1996 Madden NFL '96 Sega Genesis
1998 Fox Sports College Hoops '99 Nintendo 64
1999 Alexi Lalas International Soccer PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Color
Space Invaders PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64
Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy PlayStation
2000 Freestyle Motocross: McGrath vs Pastrana PlayStation
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX PlayStation, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows
2001 Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX: Maximum Remix PlayStation
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Xbox
2002 Aggressive Inline PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Xbox
BMX XXX PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox
2006 X-Men: The Official Game PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360
Cancelled Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 312 PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox
Iron Man13 PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox

Games developed as Underground Development

Year Title Platform(s)
2009 Guitar Hero: Van Halen PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Cancelled Call of Duty: Devil's Brigade14 Xbox 360
References

References

  1. Nutt, Christian (January 4, 2008). "Q&A: Nunchuck Games' Luntz On Testing His Ninja Reflex". gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  2. IGN Staff (February 18, 1998). "Z-Axis Dunks High". ign.com. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  3. "Activision Acquires Dave Mirra Developer, Z-Axis". gamasutra.com. May 22, 2002. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  4. "Activision goes straight up". eurogamer.net. June 3, 2002. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  5. "Z-Axis renamed to Underground Development - VG247". vg247.com. February 14, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  6. "Activision rebrands one of its internal studios". mcvuk.com. February 18, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  7. "Activision confirms Underground closure". gamesindustry.biz. April 19, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  8. "Activision closing Underground Developments?". mcvuk.com. April 18, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  9. "Activision closes Underground Development studio". engadget.com. April 21, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  10. Plunkett, Luke (February 12, 2010). "Activision Shutters Guitar Hero Creators, GH: Van Halen Developers [Update]". kotaku.com. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  11. "Activision shuts down RedOctane, Underground Development". engadget.com. February 13, 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  12. "Activision Nabs Z-Axis - News". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  13. Perry, Douglass C. (November 21, 2003). "Z-Axis Hiring for Iron Man, X-Men". IGN. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  14. "What Was Call of Duty: Devil's Brigade?". May 14, 2010.