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Poster: SySAdmin
Posted on February 24, 2011 at 4:14:01 PM
LEGO Group Acquisition of LEGO® Universe Game Announced
Gazillion Sells Rights to the LEGO Group; LEGO® Universe Development and Operations to Continue in Louisville, Colorado
SAN MATEO, Calif., Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gazillion Entertainment and LEGO System A/S jointly announced today that Gazillion agreed to sell its rights in the development of the LEGO® Universe massively-multiplayer online game to the LEGO Group, the publisher of thegame. The majority of LEGO Universe development team members, formerly part of Gazillion's NetDevil subsidiary, have been offered employment by the LEGO Group, who will continue game development and operations from the current Louisville, Colorado studio.
"We're excited about the launch of LEGO Universe, and are happy to have the developers officially join the LEGO team," said Jesper Vilstrup, Vice President at the LEGO Group. "This acquisition demonstrates our commitment both to the ongoing success of LEGO Universe and to an overall strategy to expand our brand online."
"Gazillion's focus is developing, operating, and publishing the next generation of browser-delivered games," said David Brevik, Gazillion Entertainment President and COO. "We're proud of the game our team built, and are certain that it has a bright future.The transition of members of our team to the LEGO Group enables us to focus completely on internally-published, free-to-play game businesses."
LEGO System A/S entered into a work-for-hire relationship with NetDevil to build LEGO Universe in 2006. In 2008, Gazillion Entertainment acquired NetDevil. The acquisition of the rights to the game and the ability to transition members of the team to continue work on the game follows the fulfillment of the LEGO Universe development contract. Gazillion will move its other NetDevil projects to a new location.
About LEGO Systems A/S
The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through its products, which can be purchased in more than 130 countries. Visit http://www.LEGO.com
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group. © 2011 The LEGO Group.
About Gazillion Entertainment
Gazillion Entertainment is a privately held developer and publisher of free-to-play online games for everyone. Gazillion's games feature revered brands and original properties, superior production quality and unmatched gameplay. Gazillion Entertainment is headquartered in San Mateo, California. For more information on Gazillion Entertainment and its studios please visit http://www.gazillion.com.
Media Contacts:
---------------
Keith Mutzman, Gazillion Entertainment
650-532-1345 /
keith.mutzman@gazillion.com
Michael McNally, the LEGO Group
860-763-7825 /
michael.mcnally@lego.com
SOURCE Gazillion Entertainment
Gazillion Entertainment
CONTACT: Keith Mutzman of Gazillion Entertainment +1-650-532-1345, keith.mutzman@gazillion.com, or Michael McNally of the LEGO Group, +1-860-763-7825, michael.mcnally@lego.com
Web Site: http://www.lego.com
Gazillion Sells Rights to the LEGO Group; LEGO® Universe Development and Operations to Continue in Louisville, Colorado
SAN MATEO, Calif., Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gazillion Entertainment and LEGO System A/S jointly announced today that Gazillion agreed to sell its rights in the development of the LEGO® Universe massively-multiplayer online game to the LEGO Group, the publisher of thegame. The majority of LEGO Universe development team members, formerly part of Gazillion's NetDevil subsidiary, have been offered employment by the LEGO Group, who will continue game development and operations from the current Louisville, Colorado studio.
"We're excited about the launch of LEGO Universe, and are happy to have the developers officially join the LEGO team," said Jesper Vilstrup, Vice President at the LEGO Group. "This acquisition demonstrates our commitment both to the ongoing success of LEGO Universe and to an overall strategy to expand our brand online."
"Gazillion's focus is developing, operating, and publishing the next generation of browser-delivered games," said David Brevik, Gazillion Entertainment President and COO. "We're proud of the game our team built, and are certain that it has a bright future.The transition of members of our team to the LEGO Group enables us to focus completely on internally-published, free-to-play game businesses."
LEGO System A/S entered into a work-for-hire relationship with NetDevil to build LEGO Universe in 2006. In 2008, Gazillion Entertainment acquired NetDevil. The acquisition of the rights to the game and the ability to transition members of the team to continue work on the game follows the fulfillment of the LEGO Universe development contract. Gazillion will move its other NetDevil projects to a new location.
About LEGO Systems A/S
The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through its products, which can be purchased in more than 130 countries. Visit http://www.LEGO.com
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group. © 2011 The LEGO Group.
About Gazillion Entertainment
Gazillion Entertainment is a privately held developer and publisher of free-to-play online games for everyone. Gazillion's games feature revered brands and original properties, superior production quality and unmatched gameplay. Gazillion Entertainment is headquartered in San Mateo, California. For more information on Gazillion Entertainment and its studios please visit http://www.gazillion.com.
Media Contacts:
---------------
Keith Mutzman, Gazillion Entertainment
650-532-1345 /
keith.mutzman@gazillion.com
Michael McNally, the LEGO Group
860-763-7825 /
michael.mcnally@lego.com
SOURCE Gazillion Entertainment
Gazillion Entertainment
CONTACT: Keith Mutzman of Gazillion Entertainment +1-650-532-1345, keith.mutzman@gazillion.com, or Michael McNally of the LEGO Group, +1-860-763-7825, michael.mcnally@lego.com
Web Site: http://www.lego.com