[en] Ubisoft has bought Sunflowers

[Zorba]

I've just read this news a few minutes ago on a website in Montreal, Canada. The text is in french but it mainly says that UBISOFT has bought SUNFLOWERS, owner of ANNO franchise wich has sold more than 5 millions units. Already owner of the franchise THE SETTLERS, UBISOFT wants to broaden its audience for RTS games.
I think its a good news for the ANNO franchise. What do you think ?



«AFP
11 avril 2007 - 13h49


L'éditeur français de jeux vidéo Ubisoft a annoncé mercredi avoir conclu un accord pour l'acquisition de l'éditeur allemand SunFlowers, propriétaire de la marque de jeux de stratégie Anno qui s'est vendue à 5 millions d'unités dans le monde

Cette opération, dont le montant n'a pas été dévoilé, permet à Ubisoft de renforcer «sa position sur le marché de la stratégie en temps réel», a commenté son PDG Yves Guillemot, cité dans un communiqué.

Déjà bien implanté en Allemagne avec la franchise The Settlers, Ubisoft vise avec le rachat de «cette marque de très grande qualité», qui permet de construire des civilisations, «une audience très large allant des joueurs traditionnels à la population féminine en passant par les familles».

Principalement présents sur ordinateur, les jeux Anno affichent «une durée de vie plus longue que les jeux sur console» et assurent ainsi à l'éditeur français une «lisibilité des revenus», a par ailleurs précisé un porte-parole du groupe.

Fin janvier, Ubisoft avait publié au troisième trimestre de son exercice 2006/2007 un chiffre d'affaires en hausse de 24% à 311 millions d'euros, et avait relevé sa prévision annuelle de chiffre d'affaires.»

[Sinflicious]

Ubisoft today announced that it has reached a deal to acquire German game producer SunFlowers, the owner of the Anno series of PC real-time strategy games, most recently seen in the US as 1701 A.D. The Anno series will join fellow German production The Settlers as well as Heroes of Might and Magic in the French publisher's stable of PC strategy games. As a result of the deal, Ubisoft will also be acquiring 30 percent ownership of Related Designs, the developer of 1701 A.D.

[Rnett]

Sure enough, took some digging around but....:oogle2:

Ubisoft acquires German software developer SunFlowers
04.11.07, 1:16 PM ET

Paris (Thomson FInancial) - Ubisoft Entertainment said it has signed an agreement to buy German software developer SunFlowers, owner of the Anno brand, a leading strategy game in the German market.

As part of the acquisition deal, Ubisoft will also purchase a 30 pct stake in Related Designs, which developed Anno 1701, the latest entry in the Anno series and is currently working on a future Anno title, Ubisoft said in a statement.

No financial details were disclosed.

Ubisoft said the acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2007-08.



vb/gp



http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/04/11/afx3602669.html

[Dobber]

I wonder what the future will hold for our community here! My hope is that it just changes hands and that we all don't have to move to a new forum.

[bob the builder]

I'd be more concerned about the future of the series. Games that go from relatively small developers to big powerhouse devs usually don't end up too well :(

[Dobber]

I'd be more concerned about the future of the series. Games that go from relatively small developers to big powerhouse devs usually don't end up too well :(

I spend more time here in the Community helping people than I do in the game, helping people is what I am all about, it is what I find the most satisfaction from. I don't know that I have had 1701 running any in the last 30 days, but I have been here helping folks everyday! Yes I am more concerned about the Community! I want to say that I am also more concerned for the well being of the Sunflowers employees than I am the series, as well.

[BaldJim]

... As part of the acquisition deal, Ubisoft will also purchase a 30 pct stake in Related Designs, which developed Anno 1701, the latest entry in the Anno series and is currently working on a future Anno title, Ubisoft said in a statement. ...

I wonder if that "future Anno title" is just the "add-on" for 1701, or something more significant.

I know nothing about Ubisoft, but I have lived through the sale of the developer of several of my favorite games. Folks, it's not a happy time. If the pattern remains true, in a couple of years ANNO will be dead but not abandoned. Ubisoft will bleed the corpse for every Euro possible.

Meanwhile, as with every really successful series of games, there is a handfull of visionaries who made it come together. Those with the ANNO vision will now be working for an entirely different bunch of bean-counting corporate managers - so they will drift off to greener and more intellectually comfortable pastures.

ANNO had a good run, and now the real test of "replay" value starts.

:sad: :borg: :megawall:

[Dobber]

I wonder if that "future Anno title" is just the "add-on" for 1701, or something more significant.



I do know that RD is working on Anno 4, something beyond the add-on, whether that title will now be Published by Ubisoft, who knows? If it is to still be an Anno game it would have to be released by Ubisoft as they now have rights to the Anno name. But a similar game with a different look and a new name......., sure Ubisoft has 30% of RD as well but would that prevent RD releasing a work through another Publisher?

[Largefry07]

I think we should look on the bright side of things. Sunflowers and possible Anno has a bright future in America. This will ensure that any future development of Anno will be released in NA unlike 1503 add-on that made me nearly leave the Anno series for good. Also, Ubisoft has made some of my most favorite PS2 games. The Rainbow 6 series and the wonderful Splinter Cell series are hands down some of the most popular shooter games around. I relieze that these are not RSTs, but hopfully that guys at Ubisoft won't make any major changes and let RD develop their game.

[BaldJim]

I think we should look on the bright side of things. Sunflowers ... has a bright future in America. ...

How exciting of you to say so!

:rolleyes: :confused: :sad:

[Rnett]

I I want to say that I am also more concerned for the well being of the Sunflowers employees than I am the series, as well.

That's right, what will happen to them in this day of merging and consolidation....:huh:

[Flo]

@Largefry07
There is no Sunflowers in the future :sad:


@Rnett
Some of them will - maybe - go with Adi Boiko. But of course not all... :sad: :sad:
There was a second news about this topic. http://www.gameports.net/cms/Kommentare-zu_Neues-Unternehmen-in-Planung_1828.html (i'm sorry, it's in german)
The two leaders of Sunflowers will found a new company.

And it is also unkown what will happen to this community...


I hope you can translate this news correctly.

[nothing]

Here i must say something and worn all of you guys !

Now that Ubi took Anno over. Be prepared because Anno will be destroyed. And i know what i'm talking about. I researched for now quite some time about Ubisoft and their marketing system. For few years now they buy all licenses of well selling games and make new games on those licences. BUT... Those games are plagued with no creativity and heavy bugs. Ubisoft is losing money for now more than a year and the half (fiscal years) and i think they try to get all the money they can with this license buying system. They buy the licence, make a bad game in few months and try to sell it based on the glory of pervious games in the license.
If you don't trust me it your right. :wink: But know that Pcgamer gave and award to Ubi for last year. (i think) But this award was for the Buggiest publisher ! Based on one of the last Splinter Cell and Dark Messiah (Might and Magic). This is one thing that i heared. But i personnaly bought Heroes of Might and Magic 5 and i can say you that i bought a beta version that is still beta after 4 patches. Go on Ubi Forums about Heroes 5 and look at all the complains. And i confirm that most on those are true because i experienced them. Go on Dark Messiah forums and you will see the same things. And i want to focus your attention on this point : It is not the devellopers fault (at least not so much). Because Heroes 5 was developped by Nival and Dark Messiah by Arkane, but strangely Ubisoft is the publisher of both. :rolleyes:
Another thing, try to imagine what can give a Rayman 4 developped in less than a year and the half.
That's all. I could explain here the history of Heroes 5 from the beginning but it would be too long and would look too surrealistic. (someone already saw a company like this making a fool of their community ?) And i don't talk about technical support. :rolleyes:

Well i'm a Anno fan and know the franchise from 1602 and i can tell you that i'm very upset with this news of Ubi buying Anno licence because i know that this means the end of Anno for the time Ubi will hold the licence. :bawling: Personnaly i don't buy anything anymore from Ubi.
That's all. I worn you all ! Now do what you want but don't complain in few months if the next Anno or even perhaps the Add on will be only an simulation of game.