Ritual acquisition comes as shock to CEO

Weeks after telling GamesIndustry.biz that the developer would remain independent, Ritual Entertainment has been acquired by growing casual games specialist Mumbo Jumbo.

Ron Dimant, the founder of Mumbo Jumbo, was previously CEO of Ritual - having left the company in 2001 to start up the casual games firm.

"The purchase of Ritual Entertainment is consistent with our strategy to bring high-quality casual game content to the major platforms," said Dimant.

"The combination of Ritual's high-end, multi-platform expertise and our own industry-leading publishing model will set the bar for quality and sophistication in casual games and create a major industry powerhouse."

However, the shock swoop will no doubt come as a surprise for Ritual CEO Ken Harward just as it will for industry watchers.

Harward recently assured GamesIndustry.biz that despite rumours following a management change, Ritual - developer of SiN Episodes - would continue to remain an independent developer.

"There was some speculation going on a month ago due to the change in management. That happens whenever someone at the top of a company leaves, so we expected it," he said.

"The owners, Richard Gray and Rob Atkins, have always stressed the company's independence. So I expect it to continue to be independent. We're not going anywhere. We've got multiple teams running, as usual," added Harward.

The full interview with Ritual Entertainment will be published on GamesIndustry.biz later today.