Private investment firm acquires Sony Online Entertainment

Private investment firm acquires Sony Online Entertainment

MUMBAI: Columbus Nova, an investment management firm based in New York, has acquired Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE).

 

Best known for its community-first approach, and blockbuster hits and franchises including EverQuest, PlanetSide2, DC Universe OnlineH1Z1, Landmark and EverQuest Next, SOE has developed compelling online entertainment for a variety of platforms since 1999.

 

With the completion of the transaction, SOE will now operate as an independent game development studio and will continue to focus on creating quality online games, providing excellent service to its extensive player base, while centering on its untapped potential as a multi-platform online gaming company. Along with the transaction, SOE will be rebranded and operate under the new name of Daybreak Game Company LLC. 

 

“Sony Online Entertainment, newly rebranded as Daybreak, is a great addition to our existing portfolio of technology, media and entertainment focused companies. 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. 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,” said Columbus Nova senior partner Jason Epstein. 

 

“We are excited to join Columbus Nova’s impressive roster of companies. 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,” added Daybreak Game Company president John Smedley.