Sony Ties up Zipper Interactive
 

Thanks to Next Generation for the news.

Huh!

How about: "Sony Zips Up Zipper Interactive"?

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

Or: "SOCOM sucks"?

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

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?

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

exactly.

I was under the assumption Polyphony was Sony owned. If they aren't they SHOULD be. Sony can never afford to lose Gran Turismo.

Polyphony Digital is a 100% subsidiary of SCE

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?

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.

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.

Good for you! They DID 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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).