Ubisoft picks up Guitar Hero Live studio FreeStyleGames

French publisher Ubisoft revealed today via its official blog that it's acquired DJ Hero and Guitar Hero Live developer FreeStyleGames, formerly an Activision studio. Last April, after singling out Guitar Hero Live for failing to live up to expectations, Activision instituted a round of layoffs at FreeStyleGames and said it would be restructured to serve as a support studio. Now, however, Ubisoft Reflections, which is known for Driver and has worked on The Division, Grow Home and Watch Dogs, will be taking control of FreeStyleGames and renaming it Ubisoft Leamington.

Ubisoft said that the Leamington team will "work in close collaboration with Reflections and Ubisoft's other International studios to develop AAA games." The news comes as Ubisoft Reflections Managing Director Pauline Langourieux steps into "a more hands-on production position" and Richard Blenkinsop takes her place. He commented on the FreeStyleGames acquisition: "We're thrilled to have their expertise within the group, and the team at Reflections are looking forward to creating great things together!"

FreeStyleGames was originally founded back in 2002 and employed more than 100 people across three studios in Leamington Spa, London and Brighton.