VIVENDI GAMES ACQUIRES SECRET LAIR STUDIOS AND STUDIO CH’IN
Los Angeles, CA – September 28, 2006 – Vivendi Games today announced that it has purchased two development studios, Secret Lair Studios, located in Issaquah, Washington, and Studio Ch’in in Shanghai, China. The purchase of Studio Ch’in is subject to the approval of the Government of the People’s Republic of China under Chinese Law, and Vivendi Games is in the process of obtaining such required approval. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition positions Vivendi Games’ Sierra Online division as a key publisher of Xbox Live® Arcade titles. Sierra Online already has numerous Xbox Live Arcade titles in development, including action-packed Assault Heroes, the highly-anticipated Carcassonne, based on the popular tile-based board game, as well as other unannounced games. Xbox Live Arcade is a fast growing phenomenon in console gaming. Both acquired studios also contribute extensive development experience on other consoles and platforms, specializing in mid-session and PC online titles.
“Working together, our teams in Los Angeles, Seattle and Shanghai, now form a significant internal development organization focused on creating cutting edge online entertainment with global appeal,” said Ed Zobrist, president, Sierra Online. “We’re excited about the vast creative opportunities presented by platforms like Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade and intend to be a premiere publisher for the popular online service as well as the PC online space.”
“I firmly believe in this business that great games come from great people. In joining the Sierra Online team, we become part of a tremendous group of people centered on quality game development,” said Jason Robar, head of studios for Sierra Online Seattle and Shanghai. “It’s an exciting time in the industry with the ongoing success of Xbox Live Arcade and the anticipation of Windows Vista which Microsoft has designed from the ground up for gaming. The combination of our current business relationships and development with Sierra Online’s existing initiatives sets the highest standard for Xbox Live Arcade, mid-session and PC online titles.”
“Sierra Online is an incredible partner for Xbox Live Arcade, incorporating a wealth of creativity and originality into its games,” said Greg Canessa, GM, Xbox Live Arcade. “Over the next year, we’re looking forward to adding exceptional games from Sierra Online to the diverse library of Xbox Live Arcade titles already being played by Xbox 360 owners around the world.”
About Sierra Online
Sierra Online, a division of Vivendi Games, develops and publishes quality Xbox Live Arcade, mid-session and PC online titles for every viable platform. Titles in development include FreeStyle Street Basketball™, a fast-paced online basketball game featuring innovative community and customization capabilities; as well as Xbox Live Arcade and online games. Sierra Online is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, with regional studios in Issaquah, WA, and Shanghai, China.
Vivendi Games is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online (MMO) games category and holds leading positions in the PC, casual online, console, handheld and mobile games markets. Vivendi Games’ two principal studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, headquartered in Irvine, CA, and Sierra Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios and Massive Entertainment. Vivendi Games is also home to Vivendi Games Mobile, dedicated to publishing quality titles for the worldwide mobile games market. Vivendi Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment. The company has 16 offices around the world conducting business in 75 countries.