Amaze To Join Foundation 9 Entertainment
Expertise across all platforms, clear leadership in handheld
For Immediate Release
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - November 14, 2006 - Foundation 9 Entertainment, the largest independent developer in North America, today announced that Amaze Entertainment and all of its studios will combine with Foundation 9 in a transaction funded by Foundation 9's current owners, private equity firm Francisco Partners.
The transaction is expected to make Foundation 9 the largest independent game developer in the world. The combined entity will comprise over 725 employees across eleven studios, producing more than 30 SKUs for 2006 with coverage of all the major publishers in the US, Europe and Japan.
"The team at Amaze has done a fantastic job in growing one of the most trusted and best run independent developers, period," said Jon Goldman, Chairman and CEO of Foundation 9. "Our combined strength in handheld will be unparalleled, which provides excellent balance to our growing roster of 5+ next-gen titles. Together, we'll offer our publishing partners an unrivalled breadth of resources and capabilities to help them achieve their goals."
Amaze has developed nearly 100 titles since its founding in 1996, including several versions of "The Sims," and titles based on popular film franchises such as "The Lord of the Rings," "Harry Potter," "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man's Chest." The company is in active development on console, PC and handheld titles with several, high-profile unannounced projects underway. Additionally, the company is developing the handheld versions of "Eragon," based on the popular young adult novel and upcoming movie. Amaze currently has studios in Kirkland, WA and Austin, TX.
"We're thrilled to be joining the first rate studios that already make up Foundation 9," said Amaze CEO Dan Elenbaas. "We've experienced tremendous success at Amaze and believe the combined opportunity will be even more exciting for all of our employees and partners."
Amaze's studios - KnowWonder, Griptonite, Monsoon and Fizz Factor will join Foundation 9's current studios and brands: The Collective, Backbone Entertainment, Pipeworks, ImaginEngine, Digital Eclipse, and recently announced Shiny Entertainment. The company develops in all genres for all platforms and age groups, and has shipped more than 350 titles, including many bestsellers.
The company is currently at work on more than 20 titles, including a DS version of its original property, "Death, Jr.," to be published by Konami; "Dirty Harry" to be published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment; and "Sonic Rivals" to be published by Sega.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006,
About Foundation 9 Entertainment
Foundation 9 Entertainment is a premier developer of interactive entertainment products and properties, and the largest independent games developer in North America. With studios in the San Francisco Bay Area, Vancouver, Boston, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Eugene and Charlottetown, Foundation 9 Entertainment is a development powerhouse, uniquely positioned to maximize the value of entertainment properties across all entertainment genres.
Through its studios and core brands, Backbone Entertainment, The Collective, Shiny, Pipeworks,
ImaginEngine, and Digital Eclipse, Foundation 9 Entertainment has worked with the largest names in the game publishing world, including Electronic Arts, Konami, Sega, Capcom and Take-Two Interactive. The company creates titles for all age groups and all platforms, through licensed and original IP, as well as contract development and its studios have developed more than 350 titles, including more than 30 in 2006 alone. For more information, please visit: www.F9E.com.
About Amaze Entertainment
Amaze Entertainment ® is one of the world's largest independent interactive game development companies. The company consistently delivers world-class multi-platform video games and has earned a reputation as an ideal partner, especially for high-profile product launches based on popular brands and franchises like Harry Potter ® and The Lord of the Rings ® .
Contact: Nicole Tanner
Foundation 9 Entertainment
nicolet@f9e.com
Eric Gonzalez
Kohnke Communications
415-777-4000
eric@kohnkecomm.com