VU Games buy into Radical

News - 200-strong developer purchased

Developer Radical Entertainment, makers of the surprise smash hit Simpsons: Hit and Run, has been purchased by publisher VU Games and made into an internal division, the firm confirmed yesterday. Radical's price has not been revealed but Vivendi have already stated that all 200 staff at the developer will be retained with founder Ian Wilkinson becoming president of the new entity. Three titles for VU were and continue to be in development at Radical, The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, Crash Tag Team Racing, and Scarface - based on the violent cult flick.

"The purchase of Radical Entertainment reinforces our commitment to strengthening VU Games' creative talent and internal console development capabilities," commented VUG CEO Bruce Hack. "Radical's focus will remain on entertainment-based console games for current and next generation platforms." More titles are expected to be confirmed by Radical soon, and this marks an ambitious acquisition for Vivendi, so keen to restore their former standing as one of the industry's most formidable publishers.