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Epic buys Rocket League developer Psyonix

Date Type Companies involved Size
May 1st, 2019 acquisition Epic Games
Psyonix
Not disclosed
Epic buys Rocket League developer Psyonix

Fortnite developer Epic Games has acquired Rocket League maker Psyonix for an undisclosed fee.

The studio will continue to work on the hit rocket-powered car football game for all current platforms, which include Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

The PC version is set to come to the Epic Games Store in late 2019. Until then, consumers will still be able to purchase the title on Steam, though it’s unclear if this will be the case after its launch on Epic’s own marketplace.

The company has said Rocket League will “continue to be supported on Steam for all existing purchasers”, but does not mention new buyers.

The deal for Psyonix is expected to close at the end of May or early June.

Esports rocket fuel

Psyonix said the acquisition would boost its Rocket League Esports ambitions as being part of Epic “significantly increases our potential reach and resources”.

“Psyonix has always been a part of the Epic family, and we're happy to make it official,” said Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney.

“We have great respect for how Psyonix has built an excellent team and an incredible community around Rocket League.”

Psyonix studio directed Dave Hagewood added: “We’ve been working closely with Epic since the early days of Unreal Tournament, and we’ve survived changing tides as partners, so combining forces makes sense in many ways.

“The potential of what we can learn from each other and accomplish together makes us truly excited for the future.”

Psyonix currently employs 132 people at its San Diego HQ. The studio has previously worked with Epic games in the past by supporting development on projects such as the Gears of War and Unreal Tournament franchises.

Prior to its work on Rocket League, the developer also worked on mobile title Arc Squadron.

This story was originally published on PocketGamer.biz.


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Craig Chapple is a freelance analyst, consultant and writer with specialist knowledge of the games industry. He has previously served as Senior Editor at PocketGamer.biz, as well as holding roles at Sensor Tower, Nintendo and Develop.