Sony Online Entertainment (SOE), developers behind the popular games Everlast, PlanetSide 2, H1Z1 and many more have been acquired by Columbus Nova, a New York-based investment fund, and since the studio is no longer part of the Sony network a name change is required, so SOE will be known as Daybreak Game Company.
“We have been acquired by Columbus Nova, an investment management firm well known for its success with its existing portfolio of technology, media and entertainment focused companies,” Daybreak Game Company, said in the posting on Monday.
“All of our games are still here and will continue to be,” said the John Smedley who will retain his position in the current company as president. However, now that the company isn’t owned by Sony, Daybreak can now develop games for different platforms, including the Xbox One and mobile devices.
A spokeswoman for Sony Computer Entertainment Inc said Tuesday that the deal was the best option for the company and the studio, as the company looks to improve its profitability as it quickly becomes the group’s main cash cow while the studio wanted to offer titles on platforms beyond Sony’s PlayStation hardware.
“We’ve concluded this was best for both of us,” she said.
The studio said development of titles and software currently under way won’t be affected by the deal.
“Our games and players are the heart and soul of our organization, and we are committed to maintaining our portfolio of online games and pushing the limits of where we can take online gaming together,” the studio said.
Sony Online Entertainment has developed online games since 1996, including EverQuest, EverQuest 2, Star Wars Galaxies, DC Universe Online, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, PlanetSide, PlanetSide 2 and more.
Columbus Nova is a multi-strategy investment firm based in New York and Silicon Valley and manages more than $15 billion of assets. Columbus Nova Technology Partners’ portfolio includes digital music service Rhapsody, video chat service Rabbit, online service marketplace Fiverr and more.
