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 more 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 (November 6, 1995-July 27, 1996)


Visuals: On a space background, an abstract "ri" structure can be seen, made of several crystal rectangles with golden borders. Below it is "Bauhaus 93" in a Bauhaus 93 font, as it can be seen below the structure in the same style. The entire logo is set at a 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 on the Rainbow Japan website.

Technique: None.

Audio: None.

Availability: Appears on The Hive for PS and PC.

2nd Logo (Ravage DCX custom variant) (September 30, 1996)


Visuals: The same "ri" logo is swirling in space. It is now purple with rainbow tones and no colored edges. Two 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.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Unknown.

Availability: Seen on Ravage D.C.X.

3rd Logo (October 31, 1996)


Visuals: Unknown.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A crystallized synth note.

Availability: Appears on Deadly Tide.

4th Logo (August 18, 1998)


Visuals: A ellipse is seen slowly rotating. It is 3D and has a curve line and a Hole inside, which resemble an "ri". The word "rainbow" is seen over the ellipse in a box, and "studios" below the box. All words clear before the box does.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Same as the previous logo.

Availability: Seen on Motocross Madness. Also appears on the trailer for Rainbow's cancelled feature film Blue Planet.

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


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

Variant: On the 2001 TV movie Donner, the logo is enclosed in a box next to the 1999 Sunbow Entertainment logo.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: Same as the third logo. On Donner, it's the closing theme of the show.

Availability: Was seen on Motocross Madness 2, Splashdown, Star Wars: Racer Revenge and Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2. Also seen on the 2001 TV movie Donner and some episodes of Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles.

6th Logo (August 5, 2003-October 29, 2007)


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

Variants:
 * There is a variation where some circles appear on-screen and the words begin from the biggest circle rather than from right.
 * A simplified version on a black background exists.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A repeating R&B tune with five piano entries at the end.

Availability: Appeared on several games, like MX Unleashed, the PS2, GameCube, Xbox, Wii, PC, and Xbox 360 versions of Cars, and the PS2, PS3, PC, Wii, and Xbox 360 versions of Cars: Mater-National Championship.

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


Visuals: Many black and streaks cover the screen, until they form the word "RAInbOW" in an angular font, and a  box to the left, where a stylized letter "R" is seen.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: Loud humming and thundering noise.

Availability: Only seen on MX vs ATV Reflex and Deadly Creatures.

8th Logo (October 28, 2014-)
Visuals: Unknown.

Technique: Unknown.

Audio: Unknown.

Availability: Seen on games after Rainbow Studios' revival, starting with MX vs. ATV Supercross.