SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Game Company

Sony Online Entertainment announced today that they have been acquired by Investment Firm Columbus Nova. This move means that they are no longer affiliated with Sony.

Today, we are pleased to announce that we have been acquired by Columbus Nova, an investment management firm well known for its success with its existing portfolio of technology, media and entertainment focused companies. This means that effective immediately SOE will operate as an independent game development studio where we will continue to focus on creating exceptional online games for players around the world, and now as a multi-platform gaming company. Yes, that means PlayStation and Xbox, mobile and more!

As part of this transition, SOE will now become Daybreak Game Company. This name embodies who we are as an organization, and is a nod to the passion and dedication of our employees and players. It is also representative of our vision to approach each new day as an opportunity to move gaming forward.

So what exactly does this mean for you? It will be business as usual and all SOE games will continue on their current path of development and operation. In fact, we expect to have even more resources available to us as a result of this acquisition. It also means new exciting developments for our existing IP and games as we can now fully embrace the multi-platform world we are living in.

Our games and players are the heart and soul of our organization, and we are committed to maintaining our portfolio of online games and pushing the limits of where we can take online gaming together.

Thank you for your continued support. See you in game!

The Team at Daybreak

John Smedley said that all game development will continue and there's even potential for Xbox verions of games like H1Z1. Check out the official announcement and head on over to the forums to discuss.

16 comments

2015-02-02 03:08 PM

Source: SOE Forums

Latest Comments

2015-02-02 03:09 PM

Hamma

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

Sounds like it's probably good news I'd imagine there were probably things they couldn't do under Sony's umbrella.

2015-02-02 04:47 PM

p0intman

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

You know what? with the recent troubles sony itself has been having, I can't see this as a bad thing. it lets them own their creative direction more. So long as they don't go full cash grab stupid even further than they have, I'm not really seeing the bad in this. It depends on how oppressive Columbus Nova decides to get over it, I guess. Also, I wonder if this opens the way for them negotiating with other publishers/devs for rights to develop other IPs that they otherwise might not have gotten?

2015-02-02 05:30 PM

ringring

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

Originally Posted by p0intman

I recall seeing several months ago that Sony wanted to concentrate more on core business, this would seem to be a reflection of that as SOE couldn't be considered to be core for them.

I think it will be unsettling for staff and I wish them 'uninteresting' times over the next few months, if you know what I mean.

2015-02-03 03:49 AM

Canaris

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

All I can say is hope for the best and plan for the worst.

SOE has needed a good kick up the arse for awhile now, maybe them becoming Daybreak is it maybe not. I'm going to stick to my neutral corner and see how this progresses.

Fingers crossed either Andrew Intrater, Jason Epstein or Paul Lipari is a secret Planetside player

2015-02-03 04:31 AM

Mordelicius

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

Planetside 2 is unplayable as it is. Currently there's no reason to log in but to level your weapons

My initial hope is they fix the redeployside and resource system soon.

But I'm afraid there more to it than just that. I don't believe these new owners are the types that is capable of appreciating aesthetic and art. Just like music, when you hear a major label/band/artist, cover your ears, it will be garbage.

It's kinda ironic I was remarking last month SOE is the only major studio that acts like an indie. Now, my fear is this new "indie" will act like a major studio spitting out generic games.

Originally Posted by Mordelicius

...

And to SOE's credit, it is really the only major studio that's acting like an indie with non-generic approach to mmo games.

....

2015-02-03 01:15 PM

Logit

Any reason to think SOE being sold is going to help us?

I'm thinking no, it doesn't look like the buyer was in the gaming industry at all.

2015-02-03 03:15 PM

ringring

Re: Any reason to think SOE being sold is going to help us?

Originally Posted by Logit

I'm thinking no, it doesn't look like the buyer was in the gaming industry at all.

But does it matter?

They have the talent and knowledge already at SOE and if they want more or different they can buy it in.

2015-02-03 04:49 PM

Logit

Re: Any reason to think SOE being sold is going to help us?

Originally Posted by ringring

But does it matter?

They have the talent and knowledge already at SOE and if they want more or different they can buy it in.

I honestly have no clue, I was more curious on the lines of PS1. I was wondering if getting our hands on the source code may have become any easier.

After all this time I'd imagine it was SOE just being dicks about it.

Usually these buyouts are more about the money and less about the quality of game.

2015-02-04 03:12 AM

p0intman

Re: Any reason to think SOE being sold is going to help us?

Originally Posted by Logit

At this point I think they might be more concerned about IP issues with PS1 source being effectively open. It couldn't hurt to try to negotiate or get people talking about it. I wonder if those decisions were made effectively 'above' SOE and not by SOE/Daybreak themselves? I remember Smed citing code security somewhere?

As far as other SOE/Daybreak games goes, my one paranoia is that this venture capitalist firm will try to turn them around by basically forcing P2W style games even more than what SOE has done in PS2. It isn't unheard of nor is it out of the question that the creative direction will be forced on them.

2015-02-04 05:42 AM

Figment

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

Well, good luck to Daybreak.

As far as PS1 and open source, doubt it. It would give other companies a chance to look into the code of a massive multiplayer game where they are now quite a bit smaller in size. It's their competitive edge.

Now if there was a limited amount of people allowed to work on it under NDA, that would be different. But still. :/

Shame though, so much that could have been done.

2015-02-04 10:18 PM

Ghost Runner

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

I seen this with STO it was the best thing for them and it really improved the quality of the game.

2015-02-05 12:27 PM

Calista

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

I would say this move is about Sony getting back to its consumer electronics roots but since Sony Life Insurance and the motion pictures group are their money makers we will have to wait and see. VC can sometimes be sharks but Smed doesnt seem too concerned.

2015-02-05 04:32 PM

Baneblade

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

Originally Posted by Ghost Runner

I seen this with STO it was the best thing for them and it really improved the quality of the game.

Initially it did, then the PWE Greed Machine got to work.

2015-02-05 08:15 PM

Ghost Runner

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

Have you played lately? It has really improved in the last year.

2015-02-06 01:50 PM

Calista

Re: SOE becomes independent as Daybreak Gaming

What is this I hear about some Russian dude pumping and dumping SOE? Yes I heard that....