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SONY
Computer Entertainment has announced that it has acquired leading
developer Guerrilla Games to further expand its development
capability as part of Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS). In a strategic
move to secure “long term excellence” in game development for
current and future PlayStation platforms, the acquisition of
Guerrilla has formalised the already close working relationship
between Sony Computer Entertainment and the studio.
Guerrilla
B.V., based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is the award winning developer of KillZone for the
PlayStation 2, which has shipped close to 2 Million units worldwide.
The studio is currently working on a new KillZone title for
PlayStation3 - early video sequences of which were shown to wide
acclaim when revealed at E3 2005 earlier this year. The studio is
also developing a further game within the KillZone universe
for PSP. Guerrilla signed an exclusive development agreement  with
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in March 2004 and the acquisition
will help the team grow as a key creative element of the SCE
Worldwide Studios network.
Commenting
on the acquisition, Phil Harrison, President of SCE WWS, stated,
“Guerrilla have a great combination of creative, technical and
production talent in their team and we have enjoyed a close working
relationship with their management and staff for a number of years.
I am delighted that they will now become a member of the SCE
Worldwide Studios network of developers. As we prepare for the
launch of PlayStation3 next year, this acquisition strengthens our
development portfolio to take full advantage of the exciting
entertainment opportunities provided by PSP, PlayStation3 and
beyond.”
Hermen
Hulst, Managing Director of Guerrilla said, “Sony Computer
Entertainment - with its truly global presence,  leading platforms
and commitment to innovation is an ideal partner for Guerrilla and
we are delighted to take our existing relationship to the next
level."
Whether
or not this deal licences Guerrilla to produce other titles for SONY
is yet to be seen, but it’s predicted that Guerrilla will remain
somewhat independent and continue to produce their own IP in a
similar way to Silicon
Knights and Nintendo’s abruptly ending relationship, and
unlikely that they will handle development of any IP’s currently
in SONY’s possession.
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