Sony Snags Zipper
The SOCOM developer joins Guerilla Games under the new ownership of SCE Worldwide Studios.
Published: January 24, 2006
If this is what it takes for Sony Computer Entertainment to head into the next generation with full force, then more power to ‘em! Only about a month and a half after acquiring Killzone developer Guerilla Games, SCE (or rather, their global development effort, SCE Worldwide Studios) has added another top-notch shooter studio to its operations, with none other than the Washington-based boys and girls behind SOCOM, Zipper Interactive, joining the force. Now under an exclusive development deal, the team will become a driving creative force for SCE by bringing its recognized innovation in technology to the table.
"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," praised Phil Harrison, president, SCE Worldwide Studios. "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."
"We were first drawn to Sony Computer Entertainment by their vision for growing the videogame industry," confessed Jim Bosler, president and CEO, Zipper Interactive. "We've enjoyed an incredible relationship with SCE for more than six years. This has allowed us to combine our cutting edge technical and design capabilities with SCE's creative insights and extraordinary support to become the leader in the online console multiplayer field. As a part of the Sony Computer Entertainment group we can look forward to introducing innovative titles that push online functionality and community experiences even further."
With Guerilla’s next-gen efforts already public knowledge (you have seen the Killzone PS3 screens, haven’t you?), Zipper’s can only be speculated for now. We’ll assume SOCOM 4 on the PlayStation 3 isn’t too far-fetched a possibility.
"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," praised Phil Harrison, president, SCE Worldwide Studios. "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."
"We were first drawn to Sony Computer Entertainment by their vision for growing the videogame industry," confessed Jim Bosler, president and CEO, Zipper Interactive. "We've enjoyed an incredible relationship with SCE for more than six years. This has allowed us to combine our cutting edge technical and design capabilities with SCE's creative insights and extraordinary support to become the leader in the online console multiplayer field. As a part of the Sony Computer Entertainment group we can look forward to introducing innovative titles that push online functionality and community experiences even further."
With Guerilla’s next-gen efforts already public knowledge (you have seen the Killzone PS3 screens, haven’t you?), Zipper’s can only be speculated for now. We’ll assume SOCOM 4 on the PlayStation 3 isn’t too far-fetched a possibility.
