Amazon Acquires Double Helix Games

Does Amazon get free shipping when they buy out a developer? Because they just bought Double Helix Games.

Tech Crunch reports that Amazon has acquired Double Helix Games, the creators of the recent Killer Instinct reboot for the Xbox One. Tech Crunch has also stated that the purchase of Double Helix included its studio development team and all of its intellectual properties as well. Double Helix was comprised of the combined studio teams of The Collective, Inc. (who worked Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the original Xbox) and Shiny Entertainment (known for Earthworm Jim, MDK and Enter the Matrix).

The acquisition of Double Helix coincides with recent rumors of Amazon trying to release its own Android-based gaming console with the intent of openly competing with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Amazon Game Studios, which is based in Irvine, California, is a relatively short distance from Double Helix's studio, which is also located in Irvine.

Double Helix's upcoming title, Strider, is still expected to be available for digital download on the PlayStation Network for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, and on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 and Xbox One, starting Feb 18. The release of Strider will not be affected by the Amazon's acquisition. Amazon claims that the other titles Double Helix was working on, such as Harker (which has been in development by The Collective, Inc. part of the studio for over 7 years), are going to continue to be supported.

Stay tuned as we continue to provide updates on Amazon's foray into the gaming market as more information becomes available.