{"id":3005502,"date":"2007-09-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2007-09-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"urn:uuid:d6251d35-a883-4964-b9dd-ca00348d6c1e"},"modified":"2007-09-20T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2007-09-20T00:00:00","slug":"sony-computer-entertainment-acquires-evolution-studios-and-bigbig-studios","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/sonyinteractive.com\/en\/press-releases\/2007\/sony-computer-entertainment-acquires-evolution-studios-and-bigbig-studios\/","title":{"rendered":"Sony Computer Entertainment Acquires Evolution Studios and Bigbig Studios"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tokyo, 20th September 2007<\/span> \u2013 Sony Computer Entertainment today
\nannounced that it had acquired leading game developer Evolution Studios Ltd
\nand its subsidiary Bigbig Studios Ltd to further expand its game development
\ncapability as part of Sony Computer Entertainment\u2019s Worldwide Studios (SCE
\nWWS).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nIn a strategic move to secure excellence in game development for current and
\nfuture PlayStation\u00ae platforms, the acquisition of Evolution and Bigbig
\nformalises the successful and long established exclusive relationship between
\nSony Computer Entertainment and the two studios.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nEvolution Studios, based in Runcorn, England is the award-winning developer
\nof MotorStorm\u2122, the million-selling #1 hit title for PLAYSTATION\u00ae3(PS3\u2122).
\nSince its establishment in 1999, SCE has enjoyed a highly productive and
\ncommercially successful relationship with Evolution \u2013 a studio with an
\nunrivalled track-record for quality and productivity, having shipped a title every
\nyear for 6 straight years. Evolution established its reputation as the successful
\ndeveloper of the World Rally Championship series on PlayStation\u00ae2, also
\npublished by SCE. The studio is currently working on the next instalment of
\nthe Motorstorm franchise for PS3, scheduled for release in 2008 on Blu-ray
\nDisc, along with content expansions for the original MotorStorm to be
\ndistributed via PLAYSTATION\u00aeNetwork.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nBigbig Studios, based in Leamington Spa, England was founded in 2001 with
\nbacking from Evolution Studios and SCE and is the developer of the Pursuit
\nForce game for PSP\u2122 (PlayStation\u00aePortable), which has sold over 800,000
\ncopies worldwide. The studio is currently working on the second title in the
\nseries, Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice, which will be available in October this
\nyear for PSP and on PlayStation\u00ae2 early in 2008.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u201dOur strategy is to create the best games by working with the best talent and
\nEvolution and Bigbig are world-class additions to our team,\u201d said Phil Harrison,
\nPresident of SCE Worldwide Studios. \u201cThe incredible people in these studios
\nfurther extend the depth and skill of the industry’s largest platform-exclusive
\ndevelopment resource\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Following the acquisition, Mick Hocking, Managing Director of Evolution
\nStudios, will also be appointed Group Studio Director for the three Studios ;
\nSCE WWS Liverpool Studio, Evolution and Bigbig , reporting directly to SCE
\nWWS Vice President, Michael Denny.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Studios across the WWS network share technology, production methodology
\nand creative goals to build the best possible experiences for users to enjoy
\nthe most from the PlayStation family of hardware platforms and network
\nservices. With over 2,500 employees, SCE Worldwide Studios combines the
\ntalents of 15 game development studios in Japan, the USA, the UK and The
\nNetherlands.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

– ENDS –<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

About SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS)<\/h4>\n

SCE World Wide Studios was formed on 1 September 2005 in order to secure, strengthen and further
\ndevelop game development and publishing activities for the PlayStation range of game and
\nentertainment consoles. SCE WWS is responsible for the global creative, technical and strategic
\ndirection setting of development and production of computer entertainment software for the PlayStation
\nfamily. SCE WWS directly employs over 2,500 people in its 15 studio locations around the world, all
\nexclusively dedicated to PS2, PSP, PS3 and PSN development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.<\/h4>\n

Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer
\nentertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the
\nPlayStation\u00ae game console, the PlayStation\u00ae2 computer entertainment system, the PSP\u00ae (PlayStation\u00aePortable)
\nhandheld entertainment system and PLAYSTATION\u00ae3 (PS3\u2122) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home
\nentertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation
\nlegacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a new handheld entertainment system that allows
\nusers to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced
\ncomputer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along
\nwith its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
\nLtd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and
\nmanages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide.
\nHeadquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.<\/h4>\n

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution,
\nmarketing and sales of PLAYSTATION\u00ae3, PlayStation\u00ae2 and PSP\u2122 (PlayStation\u00aePortable) software
\nand hardware in 102 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also
\ndevelops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages
\nthe third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nSince the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in Europe on 23 March 2007 and the end of March 2007 over 1.6
\nmillion units have been shipped across the SCEE territories, over 5.5 million globally. Between its
\nEuropean debut on 24th November 2000 and the end of March 2007, over 44 million PlayStation 2
\nconsoles have been shipped across the SCEE territories, over 117 million worldwide, making it one of
\nthe most successful consumer electronic products in history. Between its European debut on 1st
\nSeptember 2005 and the end of March 2007, over 8 million PSP systems have been shipped across the
\nSCEE territories, with over 25 million shipped worldwide since its Japanese launch in December 2004.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\nMore information about PlayStation products can be found at www.playstation.com<\/a> or visit the Virtual
\nPress Office at www.scee.presscentre.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

PLAYSTATION, PlayStation and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer
\nEntertainment Inc. PSP and PS3 are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other
\ntrademarks are property of their respective owners.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
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