Silicon Knights (eternal darkness) and Sega join forces

[timrpgland]

March 23, 2005 - Publisher SEGA of America today announced that it has partnered with respected studio Silicon Knights on a new franchise for next-generation platforms. The agreement enables SEGA the exclusive rights to publish the new project on a global level.

A former Nintendo second party, Canada-based Silicon Knights has over the years made a name for itself by designing titles specifically for adult gamers. The developer created the critically acclaimed Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain for PlayStation before joining forces with Nintendo. It released the top-rated Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem for GameCube and then collaborated with Konami to update the original Metal Gear Solid for Nintendo fans.
Last year, Nintendo and Silicon Knights confirmed to IGN that they had mutually agreed to end their second party relationship, effectively enabling the Canadian software house to partner with other publishers to create software for competing platforms.

SEGA said that its agreement with Silicon Knights is another step in the publishers attempt to release software for the western market.

"We intend to establish SEGA as a leading publisher on the next generation of game hardware and only the highest possible quality of Western-developed content will get us there," said Simon Jeffery, president and COO, SEGA of America. "Silicon Knights has a rich history of developing great games that push hardware technology, so we expect this relationship will result in a powerful, new, and highly commercial franchise."

"Silicon Knights believes that the next generation systems will be the catalyst propelling video games as the dominant form of entertainment in this century," said Denis Dyack, president of Silicon Knights. "We are very excited to collaborate with SEGA on a next generation project because we share a vision - to take the medium of games to new heights and move people as never before."

In a phone call this morning with IGN, Denis Dyack restated his thoughts on the new deal and explained why the developer partnered with SEGA. "Some big changes have taken place at Sega, and we're really thinking that they understand the potential of the next-generation," he said and added, "We're on the same page."

SEGA will handle worldwide marketing and distribution of Silicon Knights' new project.

Dyack confirmed to IGN that this agreement does not grant SEGA ownership of Silicon Knights. "There is nothing that prevents us from working with other publishers [on other franchises]," he noted. Widespread rumors allege that the company could already be deep in development with a separate game for another publisher, also for next-gen systems.

Still, today's announcement represents what Dyack hopes will be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with SEGA. "We're looking at it as a long term opportunity to work with SEGA. It definitely has potential to go beyond one game and we're very excited to be working together," he said.

Dyack was unwilling to divulge details on the project in question. Asked whether or not it would release for multiple platforms, he would only offer: "Next-generation is all we're saying." However, he did hint that the new title would once again appeal to older gamers, who have traditionally followed Silicon Knights' efforts more than any other gaming demographic. "Our next project is consistent with our past approach to games," he divulged, and would say no more on the subject.

Dyack refused to comment when asked about the progress of the company's epic sci-fi adventure game Too Human. It is, however, worth noting that Silicon Knights has stated numerous times in the past that it would continue to work on Too Human until it is done. With today's announcement in mind, there's a good chance that SEGA has joined its efforts.

Both companies are expected to reveal more on today's announcement in the coming months. Stay tuned for more.