Atlus Sells Online Game Operator To Perfect World For $21 Million

Beijing, China-based online game developer Perfect World acquired online game operator C&C Media from Tokyo-based game publisher Atlus for $21 million, Perfect World said Friday. The acquisition will allow Perfect World, whose games include Perfect World, Legend of Martial Arts and Battle of the Immortals, to expand into new territories, the company said. "This strategic acquisition will help us further penetrate into the Japanese online game market to capture the growth opportunities there and allow us to effectively expand our overseas operating capabilities," said Perfect World chairman and CEO Michael Chi in a statement. "It is also a noteworthy achievement for our company, as we once again successfully made progress on our goal of becoming one of the leading online game companies in the world." Perfect World acquired 100 percent equity interest in C&C, which runs Japanese online game portal MK Style and operates games such as the company's own Perfect World and Blackshot in Japan. After the deal is finalized, C&C will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Perfect World. Perfect World's sales primarily come from domestic China-based operations, although the company also generates revenues from licensing its games to online game operators in other regions such as Asia, Europe and South America. The company also has game operations in North America. Atlus is primarily known as a boxed game publisher, having published games including the Persona series and, in North America, Demon's Souls. A little over a year ago, Atlus USA launched its online gaming portal, Atlus Online, which the company still operates.