Paradox buys stake in Hardsuit Labs
PC strategy publisher acquires one-third of Seattle-based Blacklight: Retribution studio for $2 million
Paradox Interactive has added to its growing portfolio, today announcing the acquisition of 33% of Seattle-based Hardsuit Labs for a total of $2 million, with an option to increase its ownership stake later on.
Hardsuit is currently working on an unannounced project to be published by Paradox. Originally known as Builder Box, Hardsuit was formed in 2015 out of the closure of Zombie Studios, developer of the Blacklight franchise of first-person shooters. One of its first projects was a life sim designed to show off the power of Shinra Technology's cloud computing technology, but that company's closure left the project up in the air. Hardsuit's other credits to date are comprised of support roles on a variety of titles, including Killing Floor 2, A Hat in Time, and Obduction.
"We are continuously looking for partners suited to join our journey onwards. We have much confidence in the team built by Hardsuit Labs and their capacity to create great games," said Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester. "Since this is a minority acquisition, Paradox will act more like a silent partner and the studio will continue to operate like it has been previously. The reason for this acquisition is to increase our own capacity to manage our portfolio of brands in a strategic way, together with a studio and studio management we believe in."
The move continues an expansion push for Paradox. Last year, the publisher opened a mobile studio in Sweden and then acquired Age of Wonders developer Triumph Studios.