Koch Media Acquires Homefront IP

Update

Crytek has outlined its plans for the future in a formal statement to GamesIndustry.biz

Firstly, Crytek has been in extensive discussions with leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products, Koch Media, regarding the acquisition of rights for the "Homefront" IP. On completion of the proposed acquisition, the Homefront team from Crytek's Nottingham studio would transfer their talents to Koch Media in compliance with English law and continue their hard work on upcoming shooter, "Homefront: The Revolution". Both parties hope to finalize and implement a deal soon.

The internal restructuring will also see the development of Crytek IP, "HUNT: Horrors of the Gilded Age", transferred from their studio in Austin, USA to Frankfurt. Crytek will retain a presence in Austin, with several staff members maintaining the CRYENGINE support team to assist North American licensees. Employees who are not set to be part of that support team will be invited to apply for new positions at Crytek in Germany.

Crytek founder and CEO, Cevat Yerli, said: "As we look to cement Crytek's future, this strategic deal with Koch Media would allow us to continue with our ambitious goals to become an online publisher. With Warface, Arena of Fate and HUNT, we believe we have the perfect portfolio and teams to make that happen. We would like to thank all our staff - past and present - in both Nottingham and Austin for their contributions to the company, and we wish all the very best to anyone who may no longer be under the Crytek banner moving forward."

Crytek's studios in Budapest, Istanbul, Kiev and Sofia will continue to operate as usual. A closer collaboration between Crytek's studios in Shanghai and Seoul is under review.

Original story

Koch Media has acquired the Homefront IP from Crytek and assets from Crytek for an undisclosed sum.

"We are thrilled to see another great IP joining the Deep Silver universe," says Koch CEO Dr Klemens Kundratitz.

"We strongly believe in the potential of Homefront: The Revolution and trust in the new team to continue the path they have been walking in the last years."

Koch Media will develop the upcoming title Homefront: The Revolution at its new studio Deep Silver Dambuster Studios in Nottingham. According to Eurogamer staff from the troubled Crytek UK studio, who had been working on the game, will form this new studio.

VG247 reported that Hasit Zala, former head of Crytek UK, is now studio director at Dambuster Studios.

Dambuster is Deep Silver's third development studio, joining Deep Silver Volition and Deep Silver Fishlabs.

It's been a bumpy road for the Homefront IP so far. The first game was developed by Kaos Studios and published by THQ. Crytek was working on a sequel for THQ, and snapped up the IP once THQ closed.