Sega ‘reinforcing PC development’ with Relic buyout

Sega spent £26.6 million on Relic Entertainment to reinforce its PC game development capabilities in the US and Europe, the publisher has said.

As well as acquiring the Vancouver-based studio, Sega has also taken on a number of franchises developed by the firm including strategy series Company of Heroes.

Sega did not confirm what other IP it had signed as part of the purchase, which could potentially include the Warhammer series and Homeworld.

In a statement to Develop however, a spokesman said it had acquired all shares of Relic Entertainment and “THQ’s IP related to the titles developed by THQ Canada".

The publisher also confirmed it had bought Relic’s R&D engines as part of the deal.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Relic Entertainment into the Sega family,” said Sega Europe COO Jurgen Post.

“They are a highly respected development studio, with Company of Heroes and the Warhammer series both testament to the pedigree of their games. This acquisition is a strong strategic fit for us and completely in line with our focus on developing new and existing content.”

Sega pipped Bethesda parent studio Zenimax Media by $300,000 to acquire Relic Entertainment during the auction of THQ’s assets on Wednesday.

Other studios such as THQ Montreal went to Ubisoft for $2.5 million while Saints Row developer Volition was acquired by Koch Media for $22.3 million.

Vigil Games failed to find a buyer however, and remains part of THQ’s Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.