Sony has sold its Online Entertainment unit to New York based investment firm, Columbus Nova. The deal is expected to help the investment firm expand its reach in the video game business.
The Sony Online Entertainment unit is known for its multiplayer online games including EverQuest, PlanetSide and DC Universe Online.
The company has rebranded Sony Online Entertainment as Daybreak Game Studio, which is now expected to develop games for non-Sony consoles like Xbox and mobile devices.
This is the second gaming business Columbus Nova has purchase, as back in 2010, the firm acquired "Rock Band" creator Harmonix from Viacom.
Daybreak has been limited to PC gamers and Sony’s PlayStation, but with the sale Nova is planning to expand the market reach of the company.
The acquisition of Daybreak will consist of all of the developer’s existing and upcoming games including "H1Z1" and "EverQuest Next", reported CNBC.
Forbes reported Columbus Nova senior partner Jason Epstein as saying: "Sony Online Entertainment, newly rebranded as Daybreak, is a great addition to our existing portfolio of technology, media and entertainment focused companies."
"We see tremendous opportunities for growth with the expansion of the company’s game portfolio through multi-platform offerings as well as an exciting portfolio of new quality games."
"The recent Early Access launch success of H1Z1 is just one testament to the talent and dedication of the studio’s developers to create great online gaming experiences."
