'Anno/A.D.' Picked up By Ubisoft
Ubisoft Purchases German-based SunFlowers, Stake in Related Design
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French publisher Ubisoft has acquired the rights to one of the most successful strategy franchises, the Anno/A.D. series, by snapping up German producer SunFlowers. Along with Ubisoft's own The Settlers franchise and Anno/A.D. were the best known strategy titles in Germany, the Anno series selling over 5 million units itself.
Mr. Adi Boiko, co-founder of SunFlowers stated, "I'm glad to confide Anno to Ubisoft, a company known for the innovation and creativity of its development teams. The brand will benefit from Ubisoft's global strength, allowing new audiences to discover the pleasure of empire building through new Anno games."
The acquisition of SunFlowers will also see Ubisoft collecting a 30 percent stake in Related Designs. Related is the team that developed the most recent Anno entry from late 2006, 1701 A.D.. Ubisoft has stated that Related has already begun development on the next Anno title, although no release time frame was disclosed. The acquisition is expected to be complete in Ubisoft's Q1 of 2007-2008.
Mr. Adi Boiko, co-founder of SunFlowers stated, "I'm glad to confide Anno to Ubisoft, a company known for the innovation and creativity of its development teams. The brand will benefit from Ubisoft's global strength, allowing new audiences to discover the pleasure of empire building through new Anno games."
The acquisition of SunFlowers will also see Ubisoft collecting a 30 percent stake in Related Designs. Related is the team that developed the most recent Anno entry from late 2006, 1701 A.D.. Ubisoft has stated that Related has already begun development on the next Anno title, although no release time frame was disclosed. The acquisition is expected to be complete in Ubisoft's Q1 of 2007-2008.