Sony Online Ent. today (May 15, 2007) announced that it has completed a transaction to purchase key assets of Sigil Games Online Inc. SOE now owns VANGUARD: SAGA OF HEROES, Sigil's tentpole property, a highly-successful massively multiplayer online game.
A majority of the Sigil team will join SOE, integrating into SOE's worldwide group of studios, which includes offices in San Diego, Seattle, Austin, Denver, Los Angeles and Taiwan. The acquisition will strengthen SOE's position as a leader in the online gaming space as it expands the company's portfolio of gaming offerings and build on its strategy of cultivating game development studios around the world to further boost the company's capabilities.
"With an unparalleled team and exceptional product, Sigil has been a creative force in the online games space," said John Smedley, president, Sony Online Ent. "We look forward to continuing the vision for VANGUARD and to continue to deliver some groundbreaking game play."
In May 2006, SOE acquired the title's rights and the two companies agreed to co-publish VANGUARD. The MMO launched in late January of this year and has sold nearly 200,000 retail and digital units worldwide. Sigil ceo and VANGUARD creator, Brad McQuaid, will become a consultant with SOE as VANGUARD creative advisor.
VANGUARD: SAGA OF HEROES takes place in the fantasy setting of Telon, a vast and ancient world of magic, intrigue and adventure where thousands of players from around the world have formed a steadfast community exploring the grandeur of a world crafted by the seminal fantasy artist Keith Parkinson.
Sony Online Ent. is a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development. SOE is owned by Sony Pictures Digital and Sony Computer Ent. America.
