Amazon has purchased Double Helix Games, the studio behind the recent Killer Instinct remake, TechCrunch confirms. The financials behind the deal weren’t released, but the purchase reportedly includes both the talent from the studio and its intellectual property.
Amazon and Double Helix are planning a joint recruiting event on February 13, at which time the official announcement is expected. Once the news leaked, however, Amazon was quick to issue the following statement:
“Amazon has acquired Double Helix as part of our ongoing commitment to build innovative games for customers.”
Double Helix recently developed the remake of Killer Instinct for Xbox One (Killer Instinct will remain with Microsoft, if you were wondering). Double Helix has worked on both the console and PC in the past. Some of the titles were somewhat ignominious tie-ins, including Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, while others, like Front Mission Evolved and Silent Hill: Homecoming, are continuations of existing series.
Although this isn’t the first time Amazon has purchased a developer to help with its gaming ambitions, the news comes just weeks after rumors of Amazon’s interest in creating a $300 console dedicated to gaming and entertainment. The console is said to be powered by a Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor; however, Amazon has yet to comment on its existence.
The Amazon console would be comparable to other microconsoles like Ouya and Gamestick, but it would also have the advantage of its existing library of Android games, films, and TV shows. With the purchase of Double Helix, that library stands to expand. Double Helix’s next game will be Strider for the PlayStation 3. Amazon has confirmed that future games will be supported by Amazon.
