Ubisoft acquires RTS specialist SunFlowers

Ubisoft has acquired German publisher SunFlowers along with its best-selling Anno brand.

The transaction is expected to be complete in the first quarter of Ubisoft's financial year, and sees the publisher take a 17 per cent stake in Related Designs, the company responsible for Anno 1701 and a sequel currently in development.

"With the acquisition of Anno, Ubisoft reinforces its position in the real-time strategy market," commented Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft.

"Anno is one of the most well known franchises in Germany, reaching a wide audience that includes not only traditional gamers, but also women and families," he added.

The Anno series has so far clocked up sales of over 5 million units worldwide. SunFlowers also published real-time strategy titles ParaWorld and Knights of Honor.

"I'm glad to confide Anno to Ubisoft, a company known for the innovation and creativity of its development teams," said Adi Boiko, co-founder of SunFlowers.

"The brand will benefit from Ubisoft's global strength, allowing new audiences to discover the pleasure of empire building through new Anno games."