Acclaim Entertainment, known for publishing iconic titles such as Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam in the 1980s and 1990s, is returning in a new form.

Acclaim Entertainment, known for publishing iconic titles such as Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam in the 1980s and 1990s, is returning in a new form. After more than twenty years away, a group of video game industry veterans is relaunching the legendary brand with a new direction: supporting independent studios and creating new original franchises. Under the leadership of Alex Josef, the Los Angeles-based company will put its resources at developers’ disposal, offering them financing, marketing and large-scale distribution. This revival aims to make its mark on the industry by allowing creators to freely express their vision through innovative games.

This new Acclaim is not limited to publishing unreleased games: it also aims to resurrect some of the past’s iconic franchises. A committee of industry experts, including Russell Binder (Striker Entertainment) and Jeff Jarrett (Global Force Entertainment), will provide strategic support for this revival. However, reclaiming Acclaim’s former licenses remains a challenge, as many titles, such as Mortal Kombat (now at Warner Bros.) and Turok (owned by Universal Studios), have been scattered over the years. Despite these obstacles, Acclaim is exploring various options for bringing classics back while developing new gaming experiences.

With a small but experienced team and strategic collaborations with studios such as Mega Cat Studios, Acclaim plans to publish its first games as early as this year. Its growth model is based on carefully selecting projects and providing developers with full support, rather than releasing a large volume of titles. The company also sees potential in adapting games into films or series, following the example of the recent adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy’s. By betting on innovation and the legacy of video games, Acclaim Entertainment hopes to establish itself once again in the industry for the long term, offering players and creators a space where creativity and quality take precedence over quantity.