Author: Albert Silver
Date: 19:35:10 03/05/01
Go up one level in this thread
On March 05, 2001 at 15:59:05, John Merlino wrote:
>----------------
>
>So, that's that.
>
>As for other news, a little history is in order.... Originally, Chessmaster was
>created by The Software Toolworks. About 10 years ago, this company bought
>Mindscape and the new entity was called Mindscape. Mindscape was then purchased
>by Pearson PLC (a huge UK publishing conglomerate, involved in TV, magazines,
>books, etc. that wanted to get into the software business). Pearson then sold us
>to The Learning Company (a software company mostly devoted to educational and
>productivity titles). The whole entity became known as The Learning Company. The
>Learning Company was then purchased by Mattel (as they also wanted to become big
>players in the software industry), and the entity became known as Mattel
>Interactive. This entity was then sold to Gores Technology group (a financial
>holding company that is mostly known for taking "troubled" companies, turning
>them around, and selling them for profit) about 6 months ago.
>
>Well, today, the Chessmaster team has yet another new owner. The entertainment
>division of The Learning Company (which is called GAME Studios) was sold to a
>French company called Ubisoft (www.ubisoft.com), which is a strictly
>entertainment company that has a very strong international business (although
>not terribly strong in the United States) in both PC and console gaming. So,
>Ubisoft is now in control of Chessmaster. All other pieces of The Learning
>Company (education, productivity, etc.) are still owned by Gores Technologies.
Reads a bit like the Genesis with a Wall Street twist exchanging begat for
bought. :-) In any case, congratulations on the change. I'm sure it must be a
great relief to be owned by a company with the proper infrastructure that
understands your goals and needs, and will help fulfil them. As you mentioned
CM9 a short while ago, any clues as to what direction you might take? Or has the
recent shift changed everything?
Albert
>
>I wonder how many of you followed that (or cared! ;-) Either way, this probably
>means very little in the short term (the next few months). In the long term,
>however, ANYTHING can happen. I'll try to keep you all informed....
>
>However, at least I can finally say, after about 8 years, that Chessmaster is
>owned by an entertainment-focuesed company again! Hooray!
>
>jm
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