Travian buys majority stake in German browser-based game developer

Newsbrief: German developer and publisher Travian Games, maker of popular free-to-play, browser-based MMO Travian, has purchased a majority stake in Cologne-based studio Bright Future (Miramagia). Absorbing Bright Future's crew of 38 -- the biggest addition from an external developer for the publisher -- brings Travian Games' total headcount to 230. The company notes that it doubled its staff size in 2011, and claims to be the biggest games company in German state Bavaria. Founded in 2006, Bright Future has released titles in Electronic Arts' FIFA Manager series and most recently fantasy-based browser MMO Miramagia. It will continue to work independently from Travian Games on the latter title, as well as on an unannounced browser release.