Sony acquires SOCOM dev

By Games Industry.biz Published 25 January, 2006

Zipper joins Worldwide Studios.

As the Japanese giant finalises plans for the launch of its next-generation PS3 console, Sony continues to expand its exclusive developer group with the acquisition of SOCOM: US Navy SEALs creator, Zipper Interactive.

The second developer to join Sony's newly formed Worldwide Studios group, the move follows the recently announced acquisition of Dutch studio Guerrilla Games, and bolsters Sony's rapidly expanding internally-owned developer network.

SCE Worldwide Studios president, Phil Harrison, stated: "Zipper Interactive is one of the most well-known and respected development teams in the industry and we have enjoyed a great working relationship with the company since July 1999. Zipper's tremendous achievements and expertise in creating top-selling games with fantastically loyal online communities is a great addition to our development organization. We are delighted that Zipper Interactive is now a core member of the SCE Worldwide Studios network."

Founded in 1995 by Jim Bosler and Brian Soderberg, Zipper Interactive has successfully developed a number of titles for the PS2 and PSP, including Mech Warrior 3 and Crimson Skies. The studio is best known for its SOCOM: US Navy SEALs franchise, which has sold over seven million units worldwide and is currently enjoying positive sales success on the PSP handheld with SOCOM: Fire Team Bravo.

"We were first drawn to Sony Computer Entertainment by their vision for growing the videogame industry," said Jim Bosler, president and CEO, Zipper Interactive. "We've enjoyed an incredible relationship with SCE for more than six years... As a part of the Sony Computer Entertainment group we can look forward to introducing innovative titles that push online functionality and community experiences even further."

The financial details of the acquisition were not revealed, and there has been no indication of any current or impending game projects for the studio so far. However, with Guerrilla Games already committed to a next-gen Killzone game and the launch of the PS3 widely expected to take place in the latter half of 2006, it is not unreasonable to assume that Zipper will be working on a new title - possibly an extension of its SOCOM franchise - for the next-generation console.

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Comments (13) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Blerk #1 6 years ago

    I wish they'd buy someone who doesn't just do military-based shooters.

  • reality_cheque #2 6 years ago

    "We were first drawn to Sony Computer Entertainment by their vision for growing the videogame industry," reads to me as "We were first drawn to Sony Computer Entertainment by their huge piles of wonga"

  • Mr_Brown #3 6 years ago

    Not done bad, considering they've released the same game three times now.

  • Frogger #4 6 years ago

    This is the kind of news that makes me want to buy a Revolution

  • El_MUERkO #5 6 years ago

    Have 100million quid for your company and buy a big yaught.

    No!

    Course they're gong to take the money.

  • neon #6 6 years ago

    thats good news. atleast it will stop m$ from buying them up :)

  • BartonFink #7 6 years ago

    So Sony buys up a fairly good dev house (SOCOM was ok at best) and a very mediocre dev house, wonder if there is any chance they will pay Guerrilla Games not to release another Killzone. Here's hoping!

  • jack_klugman #8 6 years ago

    Today SOCOM, tomorrow the world!

    disc - The best mech-simulator that isn't Steel Battlion you mean natch.

  • BartonFink #9 6 years ago

    Loved the Mech Warrior series. Great stuff.

  • SeesThroughAll #10 6 years ago

    "Unsurprising; there's probably no other way to stop devs going multiplatform assuming that Xbox continues to grab marketshare."

    Devs already ARE multiplatform. To me it just seems Sony is racing against MS to buy as many software companies as possible before they do.

  • BartonFink #11 6 years ago

    Pity the two of them would buy some really good ones.

  • Triggerhappytel #12 6 years ago

    First Guerilla Games, now Zipper Interactive...

    Is Sony hoovering up all of it's closely-tied second party development houses?

    So who can we expect next? Insomniac or Naughty Dog? Sucker Punch or Evolution Studios? Traveller's Tales, Level 5; or maybe new stablemate Factor 5?

    I guess we'll have to wait & see, although I guess we won't have to wait too long...

  • Milbe #13 6 years ago

    They should revive Bitmap Brothers or support Team17 to finish the canned Alien Breed game.

    /slaps own head for wishful thinking...

  • Ravenlore #14 6 years ago

    Sony bought out a company that was only making games for Sony anyway!! No Far reach. It was natrual!! They now do not have to buy tools, SKDs etc and get a more support, which means more freedom to do other games, as Sony is more to let DEV try something that they know will be successful!!

    While MS buy DEV that has no connection to them!! Why do they not learn, first have the DEV make only games for XboX then later buy them out! It looks a lot better, and not like they are trying to just get Exclusives!!