# Boss Key Productions

> American video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q17511176](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17511176)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss_Key_Productions)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/boss-key-productions

## Summary
Boss Key Productions was an American video game developer founded in 2014 by Cliff Bleszinski, best known for creating the multiplayer first-person shooter *LawBreakers*. The company was based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and ceased operations on May 14, 2018.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2014 by Cliff Bleszinski
- Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
- Operated in the video game industry
- Developed the game *LawBreakers* (2017)
- Dissolved on May 14, 2018
- Founder: Cliff Bleszinski
- Industry: Video game development
- Notable game: *LawBreakers*
- Twitter account: @BossKey (verified, with over 20,000 followers at its peak)
- Website: [http://bosskey.com](http://bosskey.com)
- Facebook page: bosskeyproductions
- Freebase ID: /m/011f5j2k
- GameFAQs Company ID: 156334
- Mod DB Company ID: boss-key-productions
- TheGamesDB Developer IDs: 1293, 1294
- TheGamesDB Publisher ID: 5762
- LaunchBox Games Database Developer ID: 14474
- LaunchBox Games Database Publisher ID: 8828
- Crunchbase Organization ID: boss-key-productions
- gamesindustry.biz Tag ID: companies/bosskeyproductions
- VideoGameGeek Company ID: 31610
- Commons Category: Boss Key Productions
- Wikipedia title: Boss Key Productions
- Wikipedia languages: Arabic (ar), Egyptian Arabic (arz), Commons (commons), English (en), Italian (it)
- Social media followers (Twitter): 20,170 (as of February 5, 2023)
- OGDB Company ID: 12398

## FAQs
### What was Boss Key Productions?
Boss Key Productions was an American video game developer founded in 2014 by Cliff Bleszinski. It was best known for developing the first-person shooter *LawBreakers*, which was released in 2017.

### When was Boss Key Productions founded and when did it close?
It was founded in 2014 and officially dissolved on May 14, 2018.

### What games did Boss Key Productions develop?
The company developed *LawBreakers*, a multiplayer first-person shooter released in 2017.

### Who founded Boss Key Productions?
The company was founded by Cliff Bleszinski, a veteran game designer known for his work at Epic Games.

### Where was Boss Key Productions based?
The company was headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States.

### What happened to Boss Key Productions?
Boss Key Productions ceased operations in 2018, with its only major release, *LawBreakers*, failing to achieve commercial success.

### What platforms did Boss Key Productions support?
*LawBreakers* was developed for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

### Did Boss Key Productions have social media presence?
Yes, it had a verified Twitter account with over 20,000 followers and a Facebook page.

### What is the significance of Boss Key Productions?
Despite its short lifespan, the company was notable for being founded by a high-profile game designer and for attempting to innovate within the competitive multiplayer shooter genre.

## Why It Matters
Boss Key Productions mattered as a short-lived but ambitious attempt by a prominent game industry figure to launch a new studio focused on competitive multiplayer shooters. Although it ultimately closed in 2018, its only major title, *LawBreakers*, represented a bold creative vision in a highly competitive genre. The company’s brief existence highlights the risks and challenges of launching a new game studio in a saturated market.

## Notable For
- Founding by Cliff Bleszinski, a celebrated designer from Epic Games
- Development of *LawBreakers*, a unique take on the hero-based shooter genre
- Attempting to compete with established franchises like *Overwatch*
- Short operational lifespan (2014–2018)
- Use of cross-platform development (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- Presence on major game databases and platforms (e.g., GameFAQs, Mod DB, LaunchBox)

## Body

### History
Boss Key Productions was founded in 2014 by Cliff Bleszinski, a veteran game designer best known for his work on the *Unreal* and *Gears of War* franchises at Epic Games. The company aimed to innovate in the multiplayer first-person shooter space with a new IP, *LawBreakers*, which launched in 2017. Despite high expectations, the game underperformed commercially and critically, and the company shut down in May 2018.

### Games Developed
The company's only major release was *LawBreakers*, a hero-based shooter that attempted to redefine the multiplayer experience with unique gravity-based gameplay mechanics. The game was released for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One but failed to gain significant traction in the market.

### Leadership and Founding
Cliff Bleszinski, the founder and lead designer, brought significant industry credibility and visibility to the project. His reputation helped attract early interest, but it was not enough to sustain long-term success.

### Industry and Closure
Boss Key Productions operated within the video game industry, specifically focusing on competitive multiplayer shooters. The company was dissolved on May 14, 2018, less than a year after *LawBreakers* launched.

### Social Presence and Online Identity
The company maintained a verified presence on Twitter and Facebook, with over 20,000 followers on Twitter at its peak. The official website, [http://bosskey.com](http://bosskey.com), served as the primary hub for company news and updates.

### Databases and Recognition
Boss Key Productions was recognized in several gaming databases and platforms:
- GameFAQs Company ID: 156334
- Mod DB: boss-key-productions
- LaunchBox: Developer ID 14474, Publisher ID 8828
- TheGamesDB: Developer IDs 1293, 1294; Publisher ID 5762
- VideoGameGeek: Company ID 31610
- OGDB: Company ID 12398

These identifiers reflect the company's integration into the broader gaming ecosystem and its recognition by major industry databases.

### Legacy and Influence
Though short-lived, Boss Key Productions was notable for its ambitious vision and the industry stature of its founder. It contributed to the ongoing evolution of the first-person shooter genre and served as a case study in the challenges of launching new IPs in competitive markets.

### Related Projects and Platforms
- *LawBreakers* (2017) – The company's only major title, released for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One
- Wikipedia coverage in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, and Italian
- Presence in Crunchbase and gamesindustry.biz, indicating recognition in both industry and business contexts

### Technical and Administrative Identifiers
- Freebase ID: /m/011f5j2k
- Commons Category: Boss Key Productions
- Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Inception: 2014
- Dissolution: May 14, 2018
- Product: *LawBreakers*
- Twitter: @BossKey
- Facebook: bosskeyproductions
- Website: [http://bosskey.com](http://bosskey.com)

### Conclusion
Boss Key Productions was a bold but ultimately unsuccessful attempt by a major industry figure to redefine the multiplayer shooter genre. While it failed commercially, it remains a notable, if cautionary, example of innovation in game development.

## References

1. VideoGameGeek