Selon de premiers échos outre-Manche il semblerait que les américains de Matrix et les anglais de Slitherine aient choisi de faire route ensemble. Un accord aurait été signé ces derniers jours, concluant des discussions entamées l’automne dernier. Les deux sociétés avaient déjà travaillé conjointement de par le passé, relativement à la distribution de certains titres, et prévoient la sortie de 25 nouveaux jeux dans les 12 prochains mois.
Matrix et Slitherine auraient environ 100 000 joueurs réguliers sur PC. Cet accord permettrait à Slitherine de se développer dans le domaine de la distribution en ligne, domaine dans lequel Matrix réaliserait 90 % de ses ventes. Slitherine Strategies envisagerait aussi de s’orienter vers des plateformes comme l’iPhone et le réseau Xbox Live. Un communiqué devrait confirmer cette fusion dans les prochains jours.
The companies, which both serve the niche PC strategy and war game markets, expect an annual turnover of around $12 million in the first full-year, with 25 games set for release over the next 12 months. It will boast a combined portfolio of around 150 titles.
« These games don’t expire, » said Marco Minoli of Slitherine. « We have a very big community that we serve and they are very passionate about their games. »
« Our existing catalogues, community and development strengths are all complementary, » added David Heath, director of business development for Matrix Games. « We expect this merger to open up new opportunities for all of us that we could not have pursued as well alone. »
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Slitherine’s biggest titles includes licenced based properties based on Horrible Histories and The Discovery Channel.
“Matrix has a huge consumer base and are innovators in digital,” said Slitherine boss Marco Minoli.
“We are specialists in the same area, but at retail, so it is a natural fit.
“They also have offices in the US and we are based in the UK, so the whole partnership s ideal. We are really excited about the prospects and we have console plans for some of their bigger titles.”
More information on the merger will be announced on Monday.
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