Sony Online Entertainment, the arm of Sony's gaming wing focused on massively multiplayer online games, has been sold, according to statements released from both SOE and its purchaser, the New York investment management firm Columbus Nova.
Details of the acquisition were not released, but the companies did announce that Sony Online Entertainment, developers of such MMOs as DC Universe Online, Planetside 2, and the upcoming Everquest Next, would be rebranded as Daybreak Game Company LLC.
Though both SOE/Daybreak and Columbus Nova seem positive about the acquisition, with both parties commenting on “tremendous opportunities for growth” and “fully embracing the multi-platform world in which we all live,” the acquisition carries serious baggage with it, with an Early Access launch of H1Z1 stumbling out of the gate with server errors, inability to log in, Chat options vanishing, and “pay-to-win” airdrops leaving sour notes with some gamers.