Virtual Heroes Acquired by ASA

International physical science research group Applied Research Associates (ASA) has successfully acquired the North Carolina-based developer Virtual Heroes.

Virtual Heroes’ workforce will remain based at the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, and will integrate with ASA’s Systems and Operations Sector.

Virtual Heroes, a privately-held serious games developer, creates Advanced Learning Technology software to assist in the fields of healthcare, federal systems and commercial markets. The group has previously worked on software such as an AIDS awareness title and the recruitment game America’s Army.

The outfit was recently approached by NASA to develop a space exploration title, though its new owners want the group to focus on software for medical training.

“Bringing Virtual Heroes’ technical and creative capabilities into ARA represents a solid strategic fit for our business and opens the door to many new opportunities for the combined organization," says Applied Research chief Neil Higgins.

Virtual Heroes CEO Jerry Heneghan welcomed the move. “We are thrilled to join the world-class team at ARA and look forward to leveraging a wide array of capabilities, developing new products, and achieving our goal of being the global leader in Advanced Learning Technologies," he said.

Heneghan added that both companies were expert integrators of complex engineering software solutions, sharing common goals and standards. “This is definitely a win-win for both companies,” he added.