Sony Ties up Zipper Interactive

[fitbabits]

Thanks to Next Generation (http://www.next-gen.biz) for the news (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2120&Itemid=2).

Sony Computer Entertainment has acquired its close partner Zipper Interactive, the studio behind the SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals series.

The acquisition is similar to that of SCE's recent addition of Killzone developer Guerrilla Games back in December 2005, in that Sony already had very close ties with both companies. The agreement with Redmond, Washington-based Zipper means the studio will be an exclusive developer for SCE, and will join SCE Worldwide Studios, Sony's recently formed games development operation.

"Zipper Interactive is one of the most well-known and respected development teams in the industry and we have enjoyed a great working relationship with the company since July 1999," said SCE WS president Phil Harrison. "Zipper's tremendous achievements and expertise in creating top-selling games with fantastically loyal online communities is a great addition to our development organization. We are delighted that Zipper Interactive is now a core member of the SCE Worldwide Studios network."
Huh!

[Reanimated]

How about: "Sony Zips Up Zipper Interactive"?

Or: "Kuturagi Unzips His Man-Purse And Zips Up Zipperheads"?

Or: "SOCOM sucks"?

[Cool AN]

Not really a surprise, this will only benefit the companises and us since it means Zipper will get more resources at their disposel.

[Evil Avatar]

The Zipper Interactive guys are great guys, BTW. Every time I've talked with them they seem really cool.

[fitbabits]

The Zipper Interactive guys are great guys, BTW. Every time I've talked with them they seem really cool.
Yeah, I don't doubt that. I was convinced they were already part Sony, though. :confused:

So are Polyphony Digital part of Sony or are they in the same boat as Zipper before the recent purchase?

[dr_wily]

reanimated beat me to it.. i was going to say:
"Kuturagi Unzips His Man-Purse And Zips Up Zipperheads"?

exactly.

[Kelegacy]

Yeah, I don't doubt that. I was convinced they were already part Sony, though. :confused:

So are Polyphony Digital part of Sony or are they in the same boat as Zipper before the recent purchase?
I was under the assumption Polyphony was Sony owned. If they aren't they SHOULD be. Sony can never afford to lose Gran Turismo.

[sync]

Polyphony Digital is a 100% subsidiary of SCE

[JazGalaxy]

aquisitions like this always strike me as useful.

What has zipper done other than socom?

This headline should read "Sony says... LOT'S MORE SOCOM!!!"

umm... yay?

[Serapth]

What has zipper done other than socom?


Funny thing is, if I am recalling the right company, Zippers first big game, was for a fledgling Microsoft Games division, called Mechwarrior 3. It was a pretty game, but I think it had some gameplay issues.

[Kelegacy]

aquisitions like this always strike me as useful.

What has zipper done other than socom?

This headline should read "Sony says... LOT'S MORE SOCOM!!!"

umm... yay?
Ah, but SOCOM is a very popular, very lucrative franchise...and Sony knows this because they published the first two (three, counting PSP) games. SOCOM will probably even be their centerpiece for their online plan, or lackthereof.

I don't play the SOCOM games, but it's a smart buyout either way.

EDIT: Hmm, apparently there are 3 SOCOM games with a 4th for PSP. I guess I'm behind the times.

[Kelegacy]

Funny thing is, if I am recalling the right company, Zippers first big game, was for a fledgling Microsoft Games division, called Mechwarrior 3. It was a pretty game, but I think it had some gameplay issues.
Good for you! They DID (http://pc.ign.com/objects/003/003116.html) develop Mechwarrior 3 but it was published by Microprose.

And it received a 9.1 for a score.

SOCOM 3 got a 9.0 and was described as "The Best Online Playstation 2 game." So it seems they have their ducks in a row and know how to make terrific games. Most of Sony's first party crews do.

[Serapth]

Good for you! They DID (http://pc.ign.com/objects/003/003116.html) develop Mechwarrior 3 but it was published by Microprose.

And it received a 9.1 for a score.

SOCOM 3 got a 9.0 and was described as "The Best Online Playstation 2 game." So it seems they have their ducks in a row and know how to make terrific games. Most of Sony's first party crews do.

DAMNIT, game companys shouldnt both start with MICRO, just too unfair. Microsoft must not have bought FASA interactive until MW4 then. My bad.

[mister_slim]

It'll be interesting to see what Zipper can do with the PS3. I've always liked the feel of their games, hopefully the visuals can catch up a bit.

[JazGalaxy]

If they make a non millitary game I'd be interested. Otherwise... pass.

[TrackZero]

Good for you! They DID (http://pc.ign.com/objects/003/003116.html) develop Mechwarrior 3 but it was published by Microprose.

And it received a 9.1 for a score.

SOCOM 3 got a 9.0 and was described as "The Best Online Playstation 2 game." So it seems they have their ducks in a row and know how to make terrific games. Most of Sony's first party crews do.

I think that 9.1 for Mechwarrior 3 may have been a "wow" factor at the graphics for the time. As I recall it was a game that severely pissed me off with regards to it's gameplay.

[Phhhh]

So what exclusive companies doesn't Sony own now... Sucker Punch and Insomniac are the only ones that come to mind.

[Kelegacy]

So what exclusive companies doesn't Sony own now... Sucker Punch and Insomniac are the only ones that come to mind.
Level 5, maybe? Look to see Square snap them up before Sony, though. True Fantasy Online would have been on Xbox, but Microsoft raped that idea.

[bobbler]

So what exclusive companies doesn't Sony own now... Sucker Punch and Insomniac are the only ones that come to mind.

Level 5 (dark cloud, dq8, rogue galaxy), Factor 5 (lair + some others), Sucker Punch (sly cooper games). Theres an assortment of smaller ones as well, like Nippon Ichi (I think? I don't recall seeing anything of theirs outside of a Sony platform).

(Factor 5 said they'll be on the PS3 this gen, although they made GC games last)

I could be mistaken, as those were just off the topc of my head.

[KamaItachi]

Nippon Ichi (I think? I don't recall seeing anything of theirs outside of a Sony platform).

They have a lot of support, but don't own Nippon Ichi. There was even talk of them working for other platforms should the PS3 prove to be too expensive to create for (which was followed by cries of doom).

[bobbler]

They have a lot of support, but don't own Nippon Ichi. There was even talk of them working for other platforms should the PS3 prove to be too expensive to create for (which was followed by cries of doom).

I was listing exclusive companies that they didn't own. Nippon Ichi already have a game in the works for PS3 (Makai Wars... seemingly a sequel to Makai Kingdoms, which rocks). So we'll see what happens, I suppose.

[Kagger]

So what exclusive companies doesn't Sony own now... Sucker Punch and Insomniac are the only ones that come to mind.

Naughty Dog (Jak?) Or did they already get "aquired." Those are the 3 Platformer companies

[Cool AN]

Naughty Dog (Jak?) Or did they already get "aquired." Those are the 3 Platformer companies

Sony bought Naughty Dog years ago, all the way back in the PS 1 days.

[Achilles]

Good move by Sony. The Socom games have been huge for the PS2. They had the best concurrent user numbers for a console till Halo 2 came out, I think it was at 25k people playing at once according to Sony's press release.

If Sony's going to throw their weight behind online this time they could fund the heck out of Socom and put it forward to push their online experience.

[Steve_Erhardt]

Hrm... Mechwarrior 3 was pretty much my favorite of the bunch overall. The bounce bug was a bitch (still is), but other than that, it looked god-awful gorgeous for the time, and had a mech editor that was faithful to the tabletop game.

Of course, I maintain to this day that the actual gameplay aspects of the very FIRST Mechwarrior game have yet to be matched in their quality, even if the game has long since been utterly trounced technically.