Three Rings

Three Rings Design, Inc. was an American video game developer specializing in online multiplayer games, founded on March 30, 2001, by Daniel James and Michael Bayne. The company's name was a tribute to the Three Rings of the Elven-kings in Tolkien's mythology. Daniel James's journey into creating the company began with an unsuccessful bid in 1995 to secure the rights for a Lord of the Rings MMORPG under the name "Three Rings Internet Productions". After this, he worked at Sierra Online on Middle-earth Online, where he met Michael Bayne, leading to their collaboration on Three Rings Design.

The company's first major product was "Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates," an open-world massively multiplayer online game that combined skill-based action puzzles with a player-driven economy. This was followed by a western-themed tactical multiplayer game called "Bang! Howdy" in 2006. A significant part of the firm's business model involved creating platforms for user-generated content, exemplified by "Whirled," a virtual world launched in 2008 that used Adobe Flash and HTML5. This platform allowed creators to develop and sell virtual goods, earning real-world currency. The company's focus on online cooperative play continued with the 2011 release of "Spiral Knights," an action-adventure MMOG. That same year, Three Rings partnered with BBC Worldwide to launch "Doctor Who: Worlds in Time."

Initially funded by its founders and revenue from its games, Three Rings also received investment from firms like True Ventures. The company's trajectory shifted in November 2011 when it was acquired by SEGA as part of the latter's expansion into digital gaming. Three Rings operated as a subsidiary studio within SEGA, continuing to support its existing titles. However, in March 2016, SEGA closed Three Rings Design as part of a broader restructuring of its San Francisco operations. Following the closure, a new company called Grey Havens was formed by former Three Rings employees to maintain the operation of key titles like "Puzzle Pirates" and "Spiral Knights," ensuring their longevity.

Keywords: Three Rings Design, Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates, Spiral Knights, Daniel James, Michael Bayne, Whirled, Bang! Howdy, online games, MMOG, massively multiplayer online game, video game developer, SEGA acquisition, Grey Havens, virtual worlds, player-driven economy, puzzle games, action-adventure games, Doctor Who: Worlds in Time, user-generated content, Game Gardens, Corpse Craft