Vivendi Universal Publishing announces the acquisition of a Sweden based
development studio: Massive Entertainment
Vélizy, October 3rd, 2002 - The Games division of Vivendi Universal
Publishing, Vivendi Universal Games, announced today the acquisition of Massive
Entertainment by its studio, NDA Productions.
This acquisition is part of the international strategy of VU Games,
consisting in developing multi-platform interactive content primarily designed
for regional European and Asian markets.
Founded in 1997, Massive Entertainment is a high quality interactive games
development studio, based in Sweden. The studio's first game, "Ground
Control" was critically acclaimed around the world for its innovative
approach in the real time strategy genre. Further, the company has developed
several integrated games for mobile phone, SMS and Wap platforms, and a number
of additional titles for the PC.
"At VU Games, we have enjoyed a successful business relationship over
the last couple of years with Massive Entertainment. " comments Christophe
Ramboz, President & COO of Vivendi Universal Games International. "We
are extremely confident that the combined forces of Massive Entertainment
development skills and VU Games marketing expertise will bring value and great
products to the market".
"Massive Entertainment will be the corner stone in the build-up process
of NDA Productions in Europe. We are thrilled by the idea of working with such a
talented team to build the greatest games of the coming years", says
Dominique Cor CEO of NDA Productions.
"Joining VU Games gives us a unique opportunity to build Massive
Entertainement into the top-one European development studio" says Martin
Walfisz, CEO of Massive Entertainment.
Massive Entertainment will report to Dominique Cor, CEO of NDA Productions, a
studio of the International Headquarters of Vivendi Universal Games.
About Vivendi Universal Publishing
Vivendi Universal Publishing publishes content in four major languages and has
strong local brands. As the world's third largest publisher, the Company's key
content areas include literature, reference, education and games. Vivendi
Universal Publishing is a global leader in multi-platform interactive
entertainment. A leading publisher of PC, console and online-based interactive
content, its portfolio of development studios includes Black Label Games,
Blizzard Entertainment, NDA Productions, Sierra Entertainment and Universal
Interactive. Through its subsidiary VU Games, it distributes worldwide its
interactive contents and co-publishes and/or distributes products for a number
of strategic partners. VUP's digitization policy provides its content with a
doorway to multi-platform international distribution giving the group a
competitive edge in a changing market.
About Massive Entertainment
Massive Entertainment is a leading developer of games and interactive
entertainment products for a worldwide market. Its world acclaimed PC game
"Ground Countrol", launched in 2000, established Massive Entertainment
as one of most innovative developer in the real time strategy genre. The company
is based in Malmö, Sweden.
About NDA Productions
NDA Productions is a studio of the Games division of Vivendi Universal
Publishing, and is focused on developing titles via co-development agreements
that are primarily designed to serve the regional European and Asian markets.
NDA Productions title line-up includes "Die Hard(tm): Vendetta" the
awaited first person shooter game developed by Bits studios and based on the
famous movie franchise "Die Hard(tm)" for the Nintendo GameCube™,
and "Judge Dredd vs Judge Death" for PC, a first person shooter based
on the legendary comic strip Judge Dredd and developed by Rebellion Software,
and many more to be announced soon...