Amazon, content provider, online retailer, publisher and rather successful tablet maker, has acquired Double Helix Games, the gaming studio known for its game Killer Instinct on gaming consoles.
The news came as a leak from an invitation for a joint recruiting event from both the firms scheduled to be held in L.A on 13 February. Amazon however later confirmed the news to Techcrunch and stated that "Amazon has acquired Double Helix as part of our ongoing commitment to build innovative games for customers."
The big purchase by Amazon falls in place with the previous rumours regarding the firm making its own gaming console. It was reported last week that the firm is planning to launch an Android-powered gaming and entertainment device in 2014. The device is also said to compete with the leading firms like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo and cost under $300.
It has been also understood that 75 employees from Double Helix Games, an Irvine, California-based company founded in 2007, will now be working with Amazon, but continue to operate out of their Orange County office.
Amazon Game Studios, founded in 2012, is also based out of Irvine, but has not been very prolific in its output. The Double Helix team should ideally supplement it well. Rumours of game console may be true, but it also likely that Amazon, as it says, may actually just be looking to make more game content.
Some of the popular titles created by Double Helix are G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Green Latern: Rise of the Manhunters, Silent Hill: Homecoming, and Front Mission Evolved. Strider is an anticipated upcoming title. It will be interesting to see what Amazon has in mind with the game studio.
The firm also announced the launch of three new stores on its marketplace, www.amazon.in, namely its Video Games, Music and Luggage & Bags stores. According to Amazon, the new stores bring the online retailer's total selection up to 18 product categories, over 900,000 products, more than 10 million books and over two million ebooks
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