# Factor 5

> video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q699634](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q699634)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factor_5)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/factor-5

## Summary
Factor 5 was a video game developer founded in 1987, known for operating within the video game industry. The company maintained headquarters in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, and was legally organized as a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH). Factor 5 ceased operations on December 31, 2010.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Video game developer (software development organization).
- **Founded:** 1987 in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia.
- **Dissolved:** December 31, 2010.
- **Headquarters:** Cologne, Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia); associated with both Germany and the United States.
- **Legal Form:** Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH).
- **Aliases:** New Bits On The RAM.
- **Industry:** Video game industry.
- **Products:** Video games.
- **Website:** http://www.factor5.com/
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no2017164330.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Factor 5 active?
A: Factor 5 was founded in 1987 and was active until its dissolution on December 31, 2010.

### Q: Where was Factor 5 located?
A: The company was formed and headquartered in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, though it also maintained associations with the United States.

### Q: What kind of company was Factor 5?
A: Factor 5 was a video game developer operating within the video game industry. Legally, it was structured as a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH).

## Why It Matters
Factor 5 serves as a notable case study in the video game industry regarding the lifecycle of independent development studios. Established in the late 1980s, the company bridged the gap between European and American markets, maintaining a corporate presence in Germany while operating within the global industry. Its designation as a "Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung" highlights the formal business structure utilized by significant European software entities. The company's history, spanning over two decades before its dissolution in 2010, reflects the volatility and evolution of the gaming market during the transition from early computing to modern console gaming. The retention of distinct identifiers across major libraries (such as the Library of Congress and the Bibliothèque nationale de France) underscores its relevance in the archival history of digital media.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** Operating for over two decades (1987–2010) within the competitive video game industry.
- **Transatlantic Presence:** Maintaining headquarters in Germany (Cologne) while being identified with the United States.
- **Corporate Identity:** Possessing a unique alias, "New Bits On The RAM," and a defined legal structure (GmbH).
- **Archival Recognition:** Being cataloged by major global institutions, including the Library of Congress and the VIAF (Virtual International Authority File).

## Body
### Founding and Structure
Factor 5 was established in 1987 as a software development organization specializing in the creation of video games. The company's legal form was registered as a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH), a common corporate structure in Germany. Its formation took place in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, which served as the company's headquarters. While primarily a German entity, the developer is also categorized as having ties to the United States.

### Industry Operations
Throughout its operation, Factor 5 functioned within the video game industry. The company was involved in the production of video games, serving as both a developer and a producer of material for the sector. The organization was also known by the alias "New Bits On The RAM."

### Dissolution
After more than twenty years of operation, Factor 5 was dissolved. The official date recorded for the cessation of its operations is December 31, 2010.

### Identifiers and Cataloging
Factor 5 maintains a significant presence in academic and database records. It holds a Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) ID (135100442) and is listed in the Library of Congress Authority Files (ID: no2017164330). Additionally, the company is indexed in the Bibliothèque nationale de France (ID: 140548467) and various gaming databases including IGDB, MobyGames (via UVL), and GameFAQs. Its official website was listed at http://www.factor5.com/.

## References

1. LastDodo
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Quora
5. VideoGameGeek