Microsoft to buy Vancouver-based game developer BigPark
Last Updated: Friday, May 8, 2009 | 2:18 PM ET
The Canadian Press
Microsoft has announced plans to purchase Vancouver-based game developer BigPark Inc.
The two have been working together over the last year on an exclusive Xbox 360 game. Now Microsoft wants to bring the fledgling developer into its fold.
"We believe BigPark has tremendous potential to create new properties and innovative gaming experiences for our platforms, one of which we're looking forward to showcasing at the E3 Expo in June," Phil Spencer, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios, said in a statement Thursday.
BigPark, an interactive online gaming company, was founded in 2007 by alumni of Distinctive Software Inc. and Electronic Arts Canada.
The original founders were Wil Mozell, Erik Kiss, Hanno Lemke and Don Mattrick, who went on to become senior vice-president of Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.
BigPark's founding team worked on such franchises as NHL Hockey, Need for Speed, FIFA Soccer, NBA Street, Skate and SSX.
BigPark's first game, recently released, is the online title Wizard Defense.
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