TechCrunch said Amazon confirmed acquiring gaming studio Double Helix Games, and will absorb its talent and intellectual property.
“Amazon has acquired Double Helix as part of our ongoing commitment to build innovative games for customers,” TechCrunch quoted Amazon as saying in a statement.
It also quoted Amazon as saying Double Helix’s current lineup of games and future developments will be supported after the acquisition.
But TechCrunch also noted Amazon did not comment on rumors it will launch its own gaming console.
It cited an entry on video game industry blog VG247.com saying Amazon is planning to launch an Android-powered “dedicated games and entertainment device this year priced below $300… [that] will compete directly with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.”
"Amazon declined to comment on the console speculation when reached today," it said.
Double Helix, based in Irvine in California, was founded in 2007 with the merger of game development shops The Collective, Inc. and Shiny Entertainment.
It presently employs 75 people who TechCrunch said "will now become Amazon employees and will continue to operate out of their Orange County home."
"Of course, Amazon Game Studios also has a presence in Irvine, following the launch of its social game development arm back in 2012. Amazon’s efforts on the gaming front have been fairly quiet since then," the tech site added.
Double Helix
TechCrunch said Double Helix has created popular games for nearly 20 years, including those developed independently by Shiny and The Collective.
It said Shiny created classics like “Earthworm Jim,” “Sacrifice, MDK” and “Enter the Matrix,” while The Collective released “Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb,” “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
As Double Helix, the firm also created PC and console games including “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” “Green Latern: Rise of the Manhunters,” “Silent Hill: Homecoming,” and “Front Mission Evolved.”
TechCrunch said a forthcoming game is titled “Strider,” and is scheduled to launch this month on PS3. — VC, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
