Simon & Schuster on chopping block

According to a recent Reuters report, Simon & Schuster--the book-publishing unit of Viacom, under which Simon & Schuster Interactive is held--has decided that its games unit was not a core business and has moved to sell it. Though no suitors have yet been named, S&S spokesman Adam Rothberg affirmed, "We've entered into discussions with potential buyers for the assets of the interactive unit."

However, Simon & Schuster Interactive reportedly still has two games in the works: Outlaw Golf 2 for the Xbox and PC and The Last Ninja for the Xbox, developed by Studio 3. A small group of employees continues to work on these titles, according to Reuters. Simon & Schuster Interactive's most recognizable franchises include Outlaw Golf, Outlaw Volleyball, EVE Online, and games based on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

The article notes that S&S Interactive may have met a fate similar to Fox Interactive, which was cut away from media conglomerate Fox Entertainment Group. Fox Interactive was sold to VU Games, parts of which have been up for sale recently.