VU nets Swordfish

Hot on the heels of yesterday's reports that a deal was imminent, VU Games today announced that it has indeed bought Swordfish Studios. In a brief press release, which did not outline the financial terms of the agreement, the publisher said it would keep all 45 staffers in place and leave management intact. Swordfish's managing director, Trevor Williams, will continue running the studio but will now report to VU executive vice president and COO of product development Peter Della Penna.

VU Games CEO Bruce Hack talked up the deal, saying, "Swordfish Studios has emerged as a strong creative force with an experienced and talented group of professionals." He also tied the purchase in to VU's recent development-talent shopping spree. "Following the integration of Radical Entertainment into the VU Games organization and Blizzard Entertainment's acquisition of Swingin' Ape Studios earlier this year, the purchase of Swordfish further builds our internal development capabilities," said Hack.

Swordfish Studios will remain in its offices in Birmingham, England. No mention was made of the status of the developer's sole announced project, Rugby Challenge 2006 for the PlayStation 2, which will be published in Europe by Hip Games later this year.