Independent developer collective Foundation 9 (
Death Jr.), has announced that it has acquired developer Amaze Entertainment (
Spyro: A New Beginning DS) and all of its related studios. The deal was funded by Foundation 9’s current owners, technology-focused investment firm Francisco Partners, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006.
According to Foundation 9 representatives, the transaction is expected to make the company the world's largest independent game developer, comprised of over 725 employees across eleven studios. Currently, Amaze developers are working on a number of unannounced projects, as well as the
recently announced handheld adaptations of
Eragon, based on the upcoming Twentieth Century Fox feature film.
Amaze currently has studios in Kirkland, WA and Austin, TX. Amaze’s studios – KnowWonder, Griptonite, Monsoon and Fizz Factor - will join Foundation 9’s current studios and brands, which include The Collective, Backbone Entertainment, Pipeworks, ImaginEngine, Digital Eclipse, and recently announced Shiny Entertainment.
Foundation 9 has shipped more than 300 titles since its inception, including the original title
Death, Jr. Foundation 9’s games have generated more than $1 billion in consumer sales, with recent successes including
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The company is currently at work on more than 20 titles, including
Dirty Harry and
Sonic Rivals, and has recently shipped other titles such as
Death Jr. II: Root of Evil for the PSP and
MechAssault: Phantom War for the Nintendo DS.
“The team at Amaze has done a fantastic job in growing one of the most trusted and best run independent developers, period,” commented Foundation 9 chairman and CEO Jon Goldman. “Our combined strength in handheld will be unparalleled, which provides excellent balance to our growing roster of 5+ next-gen titles. Together, we’ll offer our publishing partners an unrivaled breadth of resources and capabilities to help them achieve their goals.”
