Sony Online Entertainment is now called Daybreak, and it’s no longer owned by Sony. The developer and publisher of the PlayStation maker’s massively multiplayer experiences, including H1Z1, EverQuest Next (and the EverQuest brand), DC Universe Online, PlanetSide 2, and others, was acquired by Columbus Nova, a New York-based investment management firm.
Daybreak’s focus doesn’t appear to be changing in its post-acquisition life. The announcement confirms that the company will continue to work on developing and publishing online games, operating now as an independent entity.
“Sony Online Entertainment, newly rebranded as Daybreak, is a great addition to our existing portfolio of technology, media and entertainment focused companies,” said Columbus Nova’s Jason Epstein in the announcement. “We see tremendous opportunities for growth with the expansion of the company’s game portfolio through multi-platform offerings as well as an exciting portfolio of new quality games coming up, including the recently launched H1Z1 and the highly anticipated EverQuest Next to be released in the near future.”
John Smedley, who retains his title of president as head of the newly redubbed Daybreak, offered some very general hints about what’s to come. “We will continue to focus on delivering exceptional games to players around the world, as well as bringing our portfolio to new platforms, fully embracing the multi-platform world in which we all live,” he said.
While Smedley offers no additional specifics on how Daybreak’s newly independent status might change things, Sony Online Entertainment has only ever developed content for computers and PlayStation machines. Independence opens the door for releases, most notably, on Microsoft and Nintendo platforms.
The official web address for Daybreak, DaybreakGameCompany.com, redirect to SOE’s website for the time being, but expect that to change soon.
