Sony Acquires Guerrilla Games

Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that it has acquired Dutch-based Killzone developer Guerrilla Games, in a move intended to to further expand its development capability as part of Sony's internal Worldwide Studios network, which already includes development talent in the UK, U.S. and Japan. The acquisition of Guerrilla has formalized the already close working relationship between Sony Computer Entertainment and the studio. Guerrilla B.V. is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and is developer of Killzone for PlayStation 2, which has shipped close to 2 million units worldwide. The studio is currently working on a new Killzone title for PlayStation 3, early CG-based scenes of which have already been shown. Guerrilla Games, which is headed by managing director, Hermen Hulst, was founded at the beginning of 2000 as the result of a merger between 3 smaller Dutch game developers, and currently employs around 95 developers. As well as Killzone, it also created multi-platform title ShellShock: Nam '67 for Eidos Interactive. In addition, the announcement revealed that the studio is also developing a further game within the Killzone universe for PlayStation Portable (PSP). Guerrilla signed an exclusive development agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in March 2004, and, according to Sony: "The acquisition will help the team grow as a key creative element of the SCE Worldwide Studios network." Commenting on the acquisition, Phil Harrison, President of SCE Worldwide Studios, said: "Guerrilla have a great combination of creative, technical and production talent in their team and we have enjoyed a close working relationship with their management and staff for a number of years. I am delighted that they will now become a member of the SCE Worldwide Studios network of developers. As we prepare for the launch of PlayStation 3 next year, this acquisition strengthens our development portfolio to take full advantage of the exciting entertainment opportunities provided by PSP, PlayStation 3 and beyond."