Rainbow Studios

Background
Founded as the Rainbow Multimedia Group in 1986, the company began producing games in 1994, under the name of Rainbow America. It was acquired by THQ in November 2001 and in February 2010 the studio was renamed THQ Digital Studio Phoenix to focus on downloadable titles. In August 2011 THQ closed the studio. In 2013 Nordic Games acquired and reopened the studio, and restored the Rainbow Studios name.

1st Logo (1995)


Logo: On a space background, an abstract "ri" structure can be seen, made of several crystal blue rectangles with golden borders. Below it is "rainbow" in a Bauhaus 93 font, can be seen below the structure in the same style. The entire logo is set at an tilted, upward-facing angle.

Trivia: The basic design for this logo was created in an effort led by employee Jon Sutz. According to his website, the design was used from 1991 to 2004. Sutz also designed and directed some logo animations for the company. The "rainbow" text with modifications is currently used in the Rainbow Japan website.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Appears on The Hive for PS and PC.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (1996) (Ravage DCX variant)


Logo: The same "ri" logo is swirling in space. It is now purple with rainbow tones and no colored edges. Two red stars pass behind the construction, when it takes place, then letters of rainbow (made from the same material) come in, also swirling, and stop below the logo.

FX/SFX: The "ri" logo swirling. Good quality animation for the mid-90s.

Music/Sounds: TBA.

Availability: Seen on Ravage D.C.X.

Editor's Note: None.

3rd Logo (October 31, 1996)


Logo: TBA.

FX/SFX: TBA.

Music/Sounds: A crystallized synth note.

Availability: Appears on Deadly Tide.

Editor's Note: None.

4th Logo (August 18, 1998)


Logo: A blue ellipse is seen slowly rotating. It is 3D and has the curve line inside which resembles "r". The word "rainbow" is seen over ellipse in a box, and "studios" below the box. All words clear before the box does.

FX/SFX: Simple rotating.

Music/Sounds: Same as the previous logo.

Availability: Seen on Motocross Madness.

Editor's Note: None.

5th Logo (May 26, 2000-August 12, 2002)


Logo: Light passes over the rolling circles, and quickly creates the new logo. It has a circle on the left side, with smaller circle attached to it, and with the letter "R" inside. It is separated with vertical line from "rainbow STUDIOS" is seen on the right side. The letter "n" is reversed.

FX/SFX: Light animation.

Music/Sounds: Same as the 3rd logo.

Availability: Was seen on Motocross Madness 2, Splashdown, Star Wars: Racer Revenge and Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2.

Editor's Note: TBA.

6th Logo (2003-2009)


Logo: There are few circles rolling around, attached to the much bigger circle. Some of them are punctured. When the circles take place in the screen, "RAINBOW STUDIOS" also appear from the edge (blurred, but becoming more sharp) and go right to the circles, separated from them with a vertical line. There are three dots inside the animation, which clear slowly.

FX/SFX: The animation of circles and moving letters.

Variant: There was a variation where some some circles appear on screen and the words begin from the biggest circle rather than from right.

Music/Sounds: A repeating synth tune ending with five piano entries.

Availability: Appeared on several games, like MX Unleashed or Cars.

Editor's Note: None.

7th Logo (February 9-October 21, 2009)


Logo: Many black and red streaks cover the screen, until they form the word "RAINBOW" in angular font, and red box to the left, where the stylized letter "R" is seen.

FX/SFX: The streaks.

Music/Sounds: Loud humming and thundering noise.

Availability: Seen on MX vs ATV Reflex and Deadly Creatures.

Editor's Note: None.

8th Logo (May 10, 2011)


Logo: Same as the THQ logo with the studio name Digital Studios PHOENIX.

FX/SFX: Same as the THQ logo.

Music/Sounds: Same as the THQ logo.

Availability: First and only appearance was on MX vs ATV Alive.

Editor's Note: Same as the THQ logo.