Rockstar Acquires Mad Doc Software, Creates Rockstar New England

Publisher and Take-Two subsidiary Rockstar has announced that it has acquired Andover, MA-based Mad Doc Software, who most recently worked with the publisher on its Xbox 360 version of Bully, creating the newly labeled Rockstar New England. The studio was founded by AI and networking specialist Dr. Ian Lane Davis, who counts among his credits work on Empire Earth, Empire Earth II, and Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna. Previous to Bully, Mad Doc worked with Bethesda on Star Trek: Legacy for the PC and Xbox 360. Terms of the acquisition were not released, nor were any future plans for the studio given, apart from Rockstar founder Sam Houser saying the studio would "enhance our core technology and further support our commitment to creating progressive and innovative gaming experiences." The company's website does note that it is currently developing unnamed Xbox Live Arcade titles. Said Dr. Davis, “To be a part of Rockstar Games is an amazing opportunity for everyone here. We’re eager to bring our expertise to bear in the character-driven, open-world stories that make Rockstar Games titles so uniquely compelling.”