Vivendi acquisitions pave way for Live Arcade offensive

Vivendi Games has announced the acquisition Washington-based Secret Lair Studios and Studio Ch'in in Shanghai.

Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed, although the publisher noted that the Studio Ch'in acquisition is subject to Chinese government approval, which it is actively pursuing.

However the company has explained what they have in common - both companies are described as specialists in mid-session and PC online titles, and will bring weight to Sierra Online's ambition in the casual-game space, particularly on Xbox Live Arcade.

Sierra Online is already working on Assault Heroes for Microsoft's digital distribution service, as well as a conversion of board game Carcassonne and several unannounced titles.

"Working together, our teams in Los Angeles, Seattle and Shanghai, now form a significant internal development organization focused on creating cutting edge online entertainment with global appeal," said Sierra Online president Ed Zobrist.

"We're excited about the vast creative opportunities presented by platforms like Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade and intend to be a premiere publisher for the popular online service as well as the PC online space."