# Croteam

> Croatian video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q2340010](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2340010)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croteam)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/croteam

## Summary
Croteam is a Croatian video game developer founded in 1993, best known for creating the *Serious Sam* series and the critically acclaimed *The Talos Principle*. Based in Zagreb, the company has expanded into virtual reality (VR) gaming and operates subsidiaries like Croteam VR and Croteam Publishing.

## Key Facts
- Founded in **1993** in Zagreb, Croatia.
- Developed the *Serious Sam* franchise and *The Talos Principle*.
- Parent organization: **Devolver Digital** (as of 2023 data).
- Employees: **40** (as of 2019).
- Subsidiaries: Croteam VR, Croteam Publishing, and Timelock Studio (founded in 2022).
- Notable works: *Serious Sam HD* (2011), *The Talos Principle: Road to Gehenna* (2015), and *The Hand of Merlin* (2021).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Croteam founded?
A: Croteam was founded in **1993** by a group of students in Zagreb, Croatia.

### Q: What is Croteam best known for?
A: The company is renowned for developing the *Serious Sam* action series and the philosophical first-person puzzle game *The Talos Principle*.

### Q: Who owns Croteam?
A: As of the latest data, Croteam operates under the parent organization **Devolver Digital**, a video game publisher and distributor.

## Why It Matters
Croteam has significantly influenced the gaming industry through its fast-paced action titles and thought-provoking puzzle games. The *Serious Sam* series revitalized interest in classic arena shooter mechanics, while *The Talos Principle* earned critical acclaim for its blend of challenging puzzles and philosophical storytelling. The company’s early adoption of VR technology, seen in releases like *Serious Sam VR: The First Encounter*, further solidified its role as an innovator. By maintaining a focus on both nostalgic and experimental projects, Croteam has cultivated a dedicated fanbase and contributed to the evolution of indie game development.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering the *Serious Sam* franchise**, which popularized high-intensity, enemy-swarm gameplay.
- **Critical success of *The Talos Principle***, praised for its narrative depth and intricate puzzles.
- **Early adoption of VR gaming** with titles like *Serious Sam VR Bundle* (2017).
- **Expansion into publishing** through subsidiaries like Croteam Publishing.
- **Longstanding industry presence**, maintaining relevance for over three decades.

## Body
### History
Croteam was established in **1993** in Zagreb, Croatia, by a group of students. The studio gained international recognition with the release of *Serious Sam: The First Encounter* in 2001, which became a cult classic for its humor and intense action. The company has since grown to employ **40** people (as of 2019) and operates under the parent organization **Devolver Digital**.

### Subsidiaries
- **Croteam VR**: Focuses on virtual reality game development.
- **Croteam Publishing**: Handles game publishing operations.
- **Timelock Studio**: Founded in **2022**, develops strategy games like *The Hand of Merlin*.

### Notable Games
- **Serious Sam series**: Includes *Serious Sam HD* (2011), *Serious Sam 3: BFE Gold Edition* (2017), and VR adaptations.
- ***The Talos Principle*** (2014) and its DLC *Road to Gehenna* (2015), recognized for philosophical themes and puzzle design.
- ***The Hand of Merlin*** (2021), a turn-based strategy game developed by subsidiary Timelock Studio.

### Awards and Recognition
- *The Talos Principle* received multiple Game of the Year nominations and won the **2015 Golden Joystick Award** for Best Indie Game.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "Croteam",
  "description": "Croatian video game developer known for the Serious Sam series and The Talos Principle.",
  "url": "http://www.croteam.com",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1136728",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croteam"
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  "foundingDate": "1993",
  "founder": "Group of students in Zagreb, Croatia",
  "numberOfEmployees": 40,
  "parentOrganization": "Devolver Digital",
  "headquarters": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "address": "Zagreb, Croatia"
  },
  "notableWork": [
    "Serious Sam series",
    "The Talos Principle"
  ]
}

## References

1. LastDodo
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. MusicBrainz
4. [Source](https://kotaku.com/serious-sam-4-is-aiming-for-100-000-enemies-on-screen-a-1826963510)
5. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
6. [Company:Croteam - PCGamingWiki PCGW - bugs, fixes, crashes, mods, guides and improvements for every PC game](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Company:Croteam)
7. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Croteam-EKA3W6)
8. [Looking for people to play with? Jump on over to the official Croteam Discord server!. 2019](https://steamcommunity.com/app/564310/discussions/0/1643170903505622963/)
9. [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/croteam)
10. VideoGameGeek