Sony Sells Sony Online Entertainment, Going Multiplatform - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 02 February 2015 / 6,596 Views
Sony has sold Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) to investment management firm Columbus Nova. Columbus Nova has rebranded SOE as Daybreak and they will now function as an independent studio. The biggest news is that the studio has announced their games will be going multi-platform.
SOE is best known for developing MMO titles such as EverQuest, PlanetSide 2, DC Universe Online, and the newly released H1Z1. They are also developing the upcoming MMO Everquest Next.
Sony Online Entertainment, newly rebranded as Daybreak, is a great addition to our existing portfolio of technology, media and entertainment focused companies," said senior Partner of Columbus Nova Jason Epstein.
"We see tremendous opportunities for growth with the expansion of the company's game portfolio through multi-platform offerings as well as an exciting portfolio of new quality games coming up, including the recently launched H1Z1 and the highly anticipated EverQuest Next to be released in the near future," continued Epstein. "The recent Early Access launch success of H1Z1 is just one testament to the talent and dedication of the studio's developers to create great online gaming experiences."
"We are excited to join Columbus Nova's impressive roster of companies," said the president of Daybreak John Smedley. "They have a proven track record in similar and related industries and we are eager to move forward to see how we can push the boundaries of online gaming. We will continue to focus on delivering exceptional games to players around the world, as well as bringing our portfolio to new platforms, fully embracing the multi-platform world in which we all live."
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A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. Outside, in the real world, he has a passion for the outdoors which includes everything from hiking to having received his B.A. in Environmental Studies. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Do people really think this hurts Playstation? They continue making games for PC. They will still release games on PS4. And Sony just made a lot of money and got rid of a company they were losing money on. This is a good thing.
Well, this is unexpected! Oh wait I own an XB1 so yeah! :D Though I don't know why Sony did it...
Say WHAAAAAAAAAAT!?!?!? I never would have thought this ever would have happened.
Companies sell studios all the time.People are making this a bigger issue than it is.SOE was not making much profit other than EverQuest. If they are worth something then it's best to get it while they are still valuable.DC Universe did not turn into the game that Sony had hoped for financially or quality.
Yeah, but Sony wasn't making a profit off of anything non-Gaming related, so you have to wonder why they would sell something that is generating a profit? Why did they need a quick influx of cash? Was it to make their earnings report look better, so investors wont pull out?
Another day another part of Sony sold off or shut down. Anyhow, I look forward to playing Planetside 2 on X1. Maybe I'll give DC Universe another try if it gets ported as well.
I would have thought that they had a few more buildings they could sell before they would think about selling any of their development studios.
You have to wonder how a company like Sony could get into such a mess financially. 20 years ago every electronic device i owned was made by Sony and I had a lot between walkmans, minidisc player for the house and my car, TV, VCR, camera, surround sound system, Stereo and then when they came out I got a Sony Ericsson phone and PS1,2,3. I knew buying Sony was going to cost more but I also knew that it would last forever. Nowadays I have an LG tv, Apple iPhone, Xbox One, pioneer surround sound and Nikon camera.
The moral of my epic story is times change, people innovate, new companies emerge, price wars ensue and in the end Sony didn't move with the times and thought that their brand name was enough to charge a premium when in fact their competitors had caught up with them in terms of quality and innovation but still charge less money than Sony.
Well, this is unexpected! Oh wait I own an XB1 so yeah! :D Though I don't know why Sony did it...
You're too late Sony.
Daaaaam didnt see that coming.
Sony is in desperate need of revenue it seems. Wish that company could get it's ducks in a row, before all they have is the Playstation brand left.
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