wombat666
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(Q) Slightly Mad Studios Online Marketing Director, Nathan Bell has been on social media in recent weeks teasing an "enormous" announcement for the studio, and today we apparently find out what that is - the team responsible for the Project CARS franchise have been bought out by Codemasters.
According to gamesindustry.biz, Codemasters have made an initial $25 million upfront payment with an additional $5 million in stock, but that fee could raise to around $67 million thanks to a three year earnout clause based on Slightly Mad's EBITDA.
“Codemasters' acquisition of SMS will create a global leader in the racing genre," said Codemasters CEO Frank Sagnier to gamesindustry.biz. "Their focus on AAA quality and the passion that they put into everything they create mirrors our own. Both companies have a number of world renowned, successful franchises along with exciting product development pipelines, supported by leading IP and some of the best talent in the gaming industry".
"The enlarged Codemasters will have greater scale and reach, diversified, predictable revenue streams and the opportunity to bring outstanding entertainment to a far wider audience. We welcome Ian and his team to the Codemasters family and can't wait to start working together to create the future generation of racing franchises.”
Interestingly, the same article indicates Slightly Mad Studios have three new games in their production pipeline - a mobile title based on the Project CARS franchise (Project CARS Go), a game featuring a Hollywood blockbuster movie (hinted to be Fast & Furious if earlier comments from studio head Ian Bell are to be believed) and an as yet unannounced new racing title - plus of course Project CARS Revolution. (UnQ)
Given the crap turned out by Codemasters previously and currently this is not good news.
According to gamesindustry.biz, Codemasters have made an initial $25 million upfront payment with an additional $5 million in stock, but that fee could raise to around $67 million thanks to a three year earnout clause based on Slightly Mad's EBITDA.
“Codemasters' acquisition of SMS will create a global leader in the racing genre," said Codemasters CEO Frank Sagnier to gamesindustry.biz. "Their focus on AAA quality and the passion that they put into everything they create mirrors our own. Both companies have a number of world renowned, successful franchises along with exciting product development pipelines, supported by leading IP and some of the best talent in the gaming industry".
"The enlarged Codemasters will have greater scale and reach, diversified, predictable revenue streams and the opportunity to bring outstanding entertainment to a far wider audience. We welcome Ian and his team to the Codemasters family and can't wait to start working together to create the future generation of racing franchises.”
Interestingly, the same article indicates Slightly Mad Studios have three new games in their production pipeline - a mobile title based on the Project CARS franchise (Project CARS Go), a game featuring a Hollywood blockbuster movie (hinted to be Fast & Furious if earlier comments from studio head Ian Bell are to be believed) and an as yet unannounced new racing title - plus of course Project CARS Revolution. (UnQ)
Given the crap turned out by Codemasters previously and currently this is not good news.