Recession? What credit crunch? Activision Vivendi (or Activision/Blizzard as we thought it was called) can't see one and now, apparently, neither can Codemasters. Why? Well, for an undisclosed sum of money the latter has "reached an agreement" with the former "to take over Swordfish Studios".
Now, this could mean that very little cash has passed hands because ActiBlizz has moved what it sees as a cost centre over to Codemasters, which sees Birmingham-based Swordfish as a positive asset. Or, it might mean that neither one wants to talk about money.
Either way "The deal brings immediate additional resource to Codemasters’ development operations. Under the terms of the agreement Swordfish Studio’s development team will be integrated and managed as part of Codemasters’ network of studios. Trevor Williams, founder and managing director of Swordfish Studios, will continue to lead the studio reporting to Gavin Cheshire, VP, Codemasters Studios."
Sword Fish will use Codie's proprietary EGO Engine, (the technology behind racing hits Colin McRae: DiRT and Race Driver: GRID - and for the forthcoming Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising.
In terms of history, Swordfish joins Codemasters’ Codemasters Studios Guildford (UK), Codemasters Studios Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and its central base which operates from Codemasters’ corporate headquarters in Warwickshire (UK).
Sword Fish also marks the second studio sale by Activision/Blizzard/Vivendi (we wish they'd sort that out) in the last week, with Massive being sold to Ubisoft earlier.
Now, this could mean that very little cash has passed hands because ActiBlizz has moved what it sees as a cost centre over to Codemasters, which sees Birmingham-based Swordfish as a positive asset. Or, it might mean that neither one wants to talk about money.
Either way "The deal brings immediate additional resource to Codemasters’ development operations. Under the terms of the agreement Swordfish Studio’s development team will be integrated and managed as part of Codemasters’ network of studios. Trevor Williams, founder and managing director of Swordfish Studios, will continue to lead the studio reporting to Gavin Cheshire, VP, Codemasters Studios."
Sword Fish will use Codie's proprietary EGO Engine, (the technology behind racing hits Colin McRae: DiRT and Race Driver: GRID - and for the forthcoming Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising.
In terms of history, Swordfish joins Codemasters’ Codemasters Studios Guildford (UK), Codemasters Studios Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and its central base which operates from Codemasters’ corporate headquarters in Warwickshire (UK).
Sword Fish also marks the second studio sale by Activision/Blizzard/Vivendi (we wish they'd sort that out) in the last week, with Massive being sold to Ubisoft earlier.
Comments
kretinite 16 Nov 2008 00:22
1/1
Somebody is feeling cash rich. I hope the VC's dont get too nervous after xmas.