MumboJumbo acquires Ritual Entertainment @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on January 25, 2007

News: Call them the exorcists, because they've cast out Sin.

Casual games powerhouse MumboJumbo has purcahsed Ritual Entertainment, the developers of the Sin series. This will be a homecoming of sorts as former Ritual CEO Ron Dimant founded MumboJumbo in 2001.

УMumboJumbo established the casual games category at retail, and the purchase of Ritual Entertainment is consistent with our strategy to bring high-quality casual game content to the major platforms,Ф said Ron Dimant. УThe combination of Ritual's high-end, multi-platform expertise and our own industry-leading publishing model will set the bar for quality and sophistication in casual games and create a major industry powerhouse. The casual games market is beginning to mature as evidenced by an increase in consumer expectations. Ultimately, the companies providing the best content will win, which is why we are investing so heavily in the development of technology and original IP.Ф

While Dimant was a little vague on Ritual's future, MumboJumbo CEO Mark Cottam told GameDaily Biz that Sin Epiosdes would not be making it out of the pilot season:

"The idea of acquiring Ritual was to have them strengthen our development in the casual genre and not to have them involved at all in the action style games," Cottam explained. "If there's an opportunity to have them do something on the SiN episodes, we would look at that, but that will not be the focus of the company. The combined companies will focus exclusively on casual, unless opportunities present themselves that we think are strategic from a business standpoint... Again, I wouldn't close the door on [traditional games] but that's not the primary focus."

While it's not completely dead, the prognosis does not look good for gamers hoping for the continuation of Sin Episodes.