London’s largest game design company, aka the minds behind Warframe and Dark Sector and co-creators of the Unreal franchise, has been acquired by a Chinese holding company. But don’t worry, this could actually be a good thing for Digital Extremes.
According to the Warframe announcement, this isn’t a 100% takeover deal:
Multi Dynamic Games Group Inc. (a subsidiary of Sumpo Food Holdings Limited) and Perfect Online Holding Limited (a subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd.) entered into an acquisition agreement with the shareholders of Digital Extremes Ltd. to acquire 61% of the entire issued share capital of the Company. Multi Dynamic Games Group Inc. and Perfect Online Holding Limited will acquire 58% and 3% respectively.
“We are thrilled with the potential to work with partners who share our philosophy on the future of gaming and how we’re approaching it,” said James Schmalz, CEO of Digital Extremes. “This partnership will further empower us to continue making Warframe bigger and better with full control over its destiny.”
Sold for $73 million, this isn’t a story of retrenchment or studio closure – this is an investment for the Chinese holding company. In fact, 30 new employees have recently been hired, bringing the total studio to 200 members. They’re even looking to hire 24 more people, and expand their office space.
Thanks to the holding company not being directly related to a variety of other games, it seems that they are simply going to help with finances and expansion into Asian markets – creative control should be rather limited. It sounds like a good deal and should hopefully help get Warframe (and other titles) a whole lot more attention in the future. As someone who is sort of falling in love with Warframe, I’m happy to see that the “space ninja” moniker is about to get even more credibility.
Last Updated: October 16, 2014
Admiral Chief 0
October 16, 2014 at 11:32
Hah, gobbles, well played Zoe, well played!
Admiral Chief 0
October 16, 2014 at 11:32
Dammit I need to blerrie get my Warframe login sorted 🙁
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 16, 2014 at 11:37
Ah lovesa mah warframes! I find leveling up frames so much fun. Busy with no.11 now.
ReaperOfSquirrels
October 16, 2014 at 11:44
Addict
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 16, 2014 at 11:47
It’s true. I have the next one waiting in my foundry too. 😀
CAE9872
October 16, 2014 at 13:49
11 of the things? I am only one my 4th one on PS4; haven’t quite got to starting this on Xbox One but will definitely do.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 16, 2014 at 14:26
😀 Busy with Banshee. Next is Volt.
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 16, 2014 at 11:37
Where’s Trevor? He’ll love to hear that his pets now come with wonton satchels.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 16, 2014 at 11:39
It’s not a PET. It’s a KUBROW. He is a VALUABLE member of TEAM TREVOR, kicking ass and taking names throughout the solar system and the void. I also wouldn’t feed him Chinese food.
Admiral Chief 0
October 16, 2014 at 11:40
LACIST
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 16, 2014 at 11:43
You can’t be a lean, mean killing machine while stuffing your face with pork buns ;P
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 16, 2014 at 11:43
But eating manflesh is fine?
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 16, 2014 at 11:47
Like Grineer & Corpus count.
Dean
October 16, 2014 at 11:47
But how can you call yourself a whole man without pork bun?
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 16, 2014 at 11:48
Trevor, a whole man?
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 16, 2014 at 11:49
*whole lot of man. Fixed ;P
Admiral Chief 0
October 16, 2014 at 11:53
Self trolling WIN
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 16, 2014 at 11:41
Team Trevor. You’re lucky that alliterates or it wouldn’t have sounded believable at all. 😉
RinceThis
October 16, 2014 at 12:11
And you named him OvG? 0_O
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 16, 2014 at 12:43
That was a the last one. He’s in stasis, got tired of reviving him.
CAE9872
October 16, 2014 at 13:49
Heathen…
ReaperOfSquirrels
October 16, 2014 at 11:43
Wait, so Perfect World now owns them? Oh god, there goes Warframe.
RinceThis
October 16, 2014 at 12:11
Demn Chinese! Eweweer!
MakeItLegal
October 16, 2014 at 12:25
This is good news , better than people losing their job any day … yay gaming