Bigpoint Buys Radon Labs, Opens Berlin Office

German online games publisher and developer Bigpoint (Battlestar Galactica MMO) has acquired Berlin-based developer Radon Labs, at the same time as it's opening a new office in the country's capital. Financial terms for the studio purchase were not disclosed. Founded in 1995, Radon Labs recently filed for bankruptcy due to "financial concerns." Bigpoint, which is headquartered in Hamburg, intends to keep the more than 35 employees from the studio (its official site lists a headcount of 90+ prior to the acquisition), including managing directors Bernd Beyreuther and Andre Blechschmid. Radon Labs has developed over 20 PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Nintendo DS titles, and is best known for its Drakensang franchise (pictured), a fantasy RPG series that's seen two PC releases so far. Bigpoint and the developer expect to release Drakensang 3 some time in 2011. With its purchase of Radon Labs, Bigpoint also announced its opening of a new office in Germany's capital, a decision that stemmed from last year's acquisition of eLOFD GmbH (XBlaster, Gunbound). Beyreuther and Blechschmid are tasked with directing the new Bigpoint Berlin GmbH branch, which will continue to work on browser-based games. Bigpoint has enjoyed much growth this year, having opened another new office in San Francisco just a couple months ago. The company, which offers dozens of free-to-play, browser-based games -- developed both internally and externally -- through its online portal, has expanded from 340 employees last March to now 500 employees worldwide. It has more acquisitions in mind, too. "Under Bernd and Andre's leadership, Radon Labs became one of Germany's top three development studios," says Bigpoint CEO and founder Heiko Hubertz. "We're excited to add their highly qualified workforce to Bigpoint as we continue to push the limits of what's possible in online gaming." "He adds, This acquisition is also greater proof that the market continues to consolidate. As such, we plan to purchase additional studios, both in Germany and abroad, to support our long-term growth strategy."