MMO and online-focused development studio Sony Online Entertainment is no longer owned by Sony, having been sold to investment firm Columbus Nova.
As you might imagine, that necessitates a name change; SOE will now be known as Daybreak Game Company, and will operate as an independent studio.
That’s pretty big news considering the huge roster of titles that SOE has under its belt, including the recently released H1Z1, current hits like Planetside 2, and titles still in development such as EverQuest Next and EverQuest Landmark.
“Today, we are pleased to announce that 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,” writes the newly christened Daybreak team over on the H1Z1 Reddit page. “This means that effective immediately SOE will operate as an independent game development studio where we will continue to focus on creating exceptional online games for players around the world, and now as a multi-platform gaming company. Yes, that means PlayStation and Xbox, mobile and more!”
Expect several of Daybreak’s titles to make the jump to Xbox One. Company president John Smedley has already posted on Twitter to say that he ”can’t wait to make Xbox One games.” As for existing PC titles, Smedley claimed ”all of our games are still here and will continue to be.”
The transition seems to be a smooth one thus far, with none of SOE’s former games or future projects affected by the sale.
“It will be business as usual and all SOE games will continue on their current path of development and operation,” says Daybreak. “In fact, we expect to have even more resources available to us as a result of this acquisition. It also means new exciting developments for our existing IP and games as we can now fully embrace the multi-platform world we are living in.”
