Dynamix, Inc.

Dynamix was founded in Eugene, Oregon by Jeff Tunnell and Damon Slye, both University of Oregon graduates. Originally named the Software Entertainment Company, it became Dynamix in 1984 when Kevin Ryan and Richard Hicks joined as partners. Their first major success was Arcticfox (1986), developed under contract with Electronic Arts, which earned the SPA’s Gold Award and established Dynamix as a rising studio.

Growth and Acquisition

In the late 1980s Dynamix self-published titles like A-10 Tank Killer and David Wolf: Secret Agent, but financial struggles led to the studio’s acquisition by Sierra On-Line in 1990. Sierra valued Dynamix for its expertise in simulations, though the team also produced memorable adventures such as Rise of the Dragon, Heart of China, and The Adventures of Willy Beamish. During this period the company expanded rapidly, growing from a small team into a major developer with over 100 employees.

New Projects and Shifts

After finishing The Adventures of Willy Beamish, Jeff Tunnell left to form his own studio, creating the hit series The Incredible Machine for Sierra, before returning in 1995. By then, Sierra itself had been sold to CUC International, beginning a wave of corporate ownership changes. Despite these shifts, Dynamix continued delivering strong simulation and action games, further cementing its reputation in genres Sierra had struggled to master.

Closure

Corporate restructuring eventually caught up with the studio. In 1999 Sierra reorganized under new ownership, and Dynamix lost its independence as a separate brand. On August 14, 2001, after nearly two decades of innovation and beloved releases, the Dynamix studio was officially shut down, closing the chapter on one of Oregon’s most influential game developers.