EA buys Studio 33 for undisclosed sum

Electronic Arts has bought Studio 33 for an undisclosed sum, the publisher announced this morning. The Liverpool-based developer's 30 employees are set to join the existing team at EA Northwest, with the now 75-strong team scheduled to move into a new facility in Warrington shortly.

Studio 33 is best known for its collaborations with Sony. Its latest project, the PS2 Online enabled Destruction Derby Arenas, is due out later this year. In the past, Studio 33 has also worked on Formula One titles. Although neither DD nor F1 titles are part of the transaction, with EA ramping up its support for PS2 Online, the developer's experience in this area is sure to be invaluable.

As you might imagine, EA Northwest's primary focus will be driving games, with the studio overseen by EA UK General Manager David Byrne. Chris Gibbs will act as Studio Manager leading development, and John White will serve as head of the Technology Group.

EA's Bruce McMillan said he "couldn't be happier" with the talent Studio 33 brings to the EA stable. "The new team is already working on several projects that will be announced in the future," he said in a statement. "I predict that very shortly, EA Northwest will be a globally recognised powerhouse of interactive entertainment."