Kotaku
MumboJumbo, developer of mind-numbing "casual games" like Luxor and Super Collapse has snapped up Ritual Entertainment, most recently known for their work on SiN Episodes. After releasing only one episode for the promised multi-chapter game, the company's future was called into question months ago amid rumors of key personnel changes.
Ironically, new owner MumboJumbo was founded by former Ritual CEO Ron Dimant, who left the company in in 2001. This doesn't appear to be a bail out move from MumboJumbo, to put Ritual back on the mainstream first-person shooter action games for which their known (Heavy Metal F.A.K.K.2, Star Trek Elite Force II), as Dimant clearly states that Ritual's talent will "set the bar for quality and sophistication in casual games."
RIP, Ritual.
MUMBOJUMBO(TM) ACQUIRES GAME DEVELOPMENT STUDIO RITUAL ENTERTAINMENT(TM)
Migration of Mainstream Development House to Casual Publisher Creates New Chapter in Gaming History
DALLAS, TX - January 24, 2007 - MumboJumbo(TM), a leading developer of premium casual games, today announced it has acquired Ritual Entertainment(TM), a veteran game development studio with expertise in game design and artistic quality. In addition to the strategic importance of the deal, which strengthens MumboJumbo's(TM) ability to deliver the best games to the casual gaming audience, the acquisition further solidifies the company's presence as one of the largest casual game studios in the industry.
"MumboJumbo(TM) established the casual games category at retail, and the purchase of Ritual Entertainment(TM) is consistent with our strategy to bring high-quality casual game content to the major platforms," said Ron Dimant, who left his post as chief executive officer of Ritual Entertainment(TM) in 2001 to found MumboJumbo(TM). "The combination of Ritual's(TM) 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. The casual games market is beginning to mature as evidenced by an increase in consumer expectations. Ultimately, the companies providing the best content will win, which is why we are investing so heavily in the development of technology and original IP."
"The disciplined structure of high end game development requires an in depth understanding of sophisticated tools and design techniques," said Robert Atkins of Ritual Entertainment(TM). "Ritual's(TM) expertise in these areas complements MumboJumbo's(TM) mass market approach to casual game development and gives us a true competitive advantage."
With over 30 employees and more than 10 years in the games industry, Ritual Entertainment(TM) has contributed and developed several mainstream, hit titles on all platforms including "25 To Life," "Delta Force - Black Hawk Down," "Counter Strike," "Painkiller," "Quake 4," and the "SiN" franchise of games, among others. In recent months, MumboJumbo(TM) has brought the popular "LUXOR(TM)" franchise and other top-selling titles such as "Super Collapse" and "7 Wonders of the Ancient World" to numerous platforms including Xbox Live(R) Arcade, Nintendo DS(TM), and the Sony PSP(TM) (Playstation(R) Portable) handheld. The acquisition of Ritual(TM) marks the most significant instance in casual gaming history of a mainstream game development house migrating to a casual game publisher.
