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Report: Lollipop Chainsaw Publisher To Acquire From Software
Kadokawa, the Japanese publisher of Lollipop Chainsaw, Killer is Dead, and recent PlayStation Vita title Demon Gaze, has announced plans to acquire a controlling interest in Dark Souls developer From Software. According to an announcement from the company the publisher will purchase 80 percent of the company's value.
Dark Souls and Dark Souls II (our review) were self-published in Japan by From Software, with Bandai Namco assisting worldwide. Kadokawa Games also publishes in Japan, but has worked with other publishers, like Warner Bros. and NIS America, for distribution in other territories. From Software is also responsible for the Armored Core series and collaborated on the Tenchu franchise.
The deal is set to be finalized on May 21, 2014. Gamebiz reports that the transaction is worth 1.753 billion yen.
[Source: Kadokawa via Siliconera, Gamebiz]
Our Take
Your first question is likely, "what does this mean for the Dark Souls series?" Given that both From Software self published the Dark Souls titles, and it and Kadokawa have a history of working with other publishers for worldwide distribution, there is a strong chance that there will be no disruption or significant change to how those of us in the west are able to access From Software games.
The optimist in me wants to believe that this means there is a chance for another Chromehounds game. The realist, though? He's just chuckling a bit at the silly optimist.
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