Activision Blizzard buys FreeStyleGames

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted Sep 12, 2008 10:13 am PT

Publisher signs on UK-based B-Boy developer to create localized Guitar Hero DLC, original rhythm game.

In 2006, Activision made the acquisition of a lifetime. After Guitar Hero became an overnight sensation, Activision picked up the game's publisher, RedOctane, along with the rights to the game, for a cool $100 million. In the years since, that Guitar Hero franchise has gone on to sell more than 22 million units worldwide, generating sales of more than $1 billion in the process.

The publisher would no doubt be thrilled with a fraction of that success coming from its latest acquisition, as today Activision Blizzard announced the purchase of music game-oriented studio FreeStyleGames. Fresh off its work on the critically panned rhythm dancing game B-Boy, FreeStyleGames has been charged with developing localized downloadable content for the Guitar Hero franchise and is also at work on a new intellectual property in the rhythm genre.

"Activision Publishing is the undisputed leader in the music-based games, and we see tremendous opportunity for continued growth, particularly in Europe," Activision Publishing president and CEO Mike Griffith said in a statement. "An important part of our European growth strategy is to work with local developers and provide music content that resonates with the market."

As per the terms of the deal, FreeStyleGames will remain headquartered in Leamington Spa, UK, and Activision Blizzard has signed on the company's current management to long-term contracts. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

41 Comments

  • JJpenguin

    Posted Dec 7, 2008 3:24 am PT

    Woah...I live next to leamington...

  • rachkovsky

    Posted Sep 19, 2008 5:12 am PT

    Give 'em some credit they deserve it!

  • ratavaquera

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 12:19 pm PT

    bah

    i still love Blizzard.. and Activision

  • dj_b02us

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 9:39 am PT

    gah im so tired of hearing about bigger companies buying up startups.

  • reneetruss

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 6:40 am PT

    Geat Deal, I could see FrestyleGames heading up the new DJ Hero franchise.

  • kenkashijd

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 5:03 am PT

    these independent companies is being devored
    thats not good at all.

  • MYellott

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 4:38 pm PT

    "....Why? What could Activision Blizzard possibly gain by doing this? What a dumb move and waste of money on their part..."

    They lose a competitor and gain a team that can support their current music development team.

  • ParkCarsHere

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 3:59 pm PT

    "...Activision Blizzard has signed on the company's current management to long-term contracts."

    That much at least is good. I'm glad to see FreeStyleGames' leadership is still intact for the foreseeable future. What I'm not happy to see is EA and Activision Blizzard buying every single independent company out there... lol.

  • Alter_Echo

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 7:51 pm PT

    It wont be much longer and every game that comes out will be developed, published and released by one of 2 or 3 remaining companies. They wont have to worry about making better content because there simply wont be anything else to play.

  • Gigas_Yuu

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 7:16 pm PT

    You are not prepared.

  • Digital_DJ_00

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 5:22 pm PT

    ....Why? What could Activision Blizzard possibly gain by doing this? What a dumb move and waste of money on their part...

  • tyzwain

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 2:42 pm PT

    Hmm not good. Still think that AB and EA are too big now, and we need to have these independent studios.

  • endocrine

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 1:38 pm PT

    gobble gobble gobble

  • mugupo

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 12:50 pm PT

    I think Activision Blizzard should try to buy Take Two before EA take it, cause that company no doubt can produce high quality game and can sell very well.

  • barJerubsheol

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 10:35 am PT

    ctg867
    "Well that's great, but Acti Bliz is still a spawn of everything that's wrong with the industry: companies merging, cutting games, laying people off, killing competition, and furthering a monopolized agenda."

    Says the person with Microsoft's flagship ip as his profile pic. Just messing, it is a great game. I do agree. These anti-competitive companies who buy out everything that could compete with them are ridiculous; though admittedly, i do not know much about this Freestyle Games.

  • ctg867

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 9:04 am PT

    Well that's great, but Acti Bliz is still a spawn of everything that's wrong with the industry: companies merging, cutting games, laying people off, killing competition, and furthering a monopolized agenda.

  • Gamingcucumber

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 5:14 am PT

    I hope they turn out to be what EA should have been and not what they are.

  • Vuud

    Posted Sep 12, 2008 11:52 pm PT

    The beast is hungryyyyyyy....

  • Questlove711

    Posted Sep 12, 2008 10:33 pm PT

    Activision drops Brutal Legend.. but picks up this crappy company? That makes sense...?

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Sep 12, 2008 9:57 pm PT

    Wait, so Activision sees Massive as "non-strategic", yet they buy up FreeStyle and give them new projects??

    WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM??

B-Boy Quick Links

Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Images | Videos | Answers | Hints & Cheats | Forum | Check Prices

Check Prices: $7.5 – 28.99

GameStop $19.99 SHOP ›
Amazon.com $7.5 SHOP ›
Deep Discount.com $28.99 SHOP ›
advertisement
advertisement
Click Here
B-Boy Boxshot Enlarge the boxshot
B-Boy

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    5,023 of 79,527
    (up by 216)
    PSP Rank:
    350 of 1,363
    Highest Rank:
    207 in 2008
    Tracking:
    171 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    94 Wish It»
  • Player Reviews:
    6
    Player Ratings:
    68
    Users Now Playing:
    21
  • Number of Players:

    1-4

  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. b-boy
    2. dancing
    3. freestylegames
    4. scee
    5. hip-hop
  • Teen Rating Description

    Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Games you may like…

Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

See More Similar Games
advertisement
Click Here