Trials developer RedLynx bought up by Ubisoft

Ubisoft has acquired Helsinki-based studio RedLynx, best known for its XBLA motorcycle-physics bestseller Trials HD, the publisher announced this week. Praising the studio's “exceptionally strong digital brands... most notably Trials,” Ubi head Yves Guillemot said RedLynx's addition to Ubisoft's roster of subsidiaries would allow the company to bring brands such as Trials “to an even broader range of fast-growing digital platforms.”

“As part of the Ubisoft team,” says RedLynx CEO Tero Virtala, the company will “focus even more intently on creating stand-out, excellent brands that push the boundaries of online gaming in many new growth areas.” RedLynx's signature title, the Microsoft-published Trials HD, has sold over 2 million downloads counting DLC add-ons. The studio's also responsible for the iPhone's DrawRace series and iOS/WiiWare Heroz titles. The titles share a focus on innovative racing-themed gameplay with a strong emphasis on physics challenges, a strength Guillemot praised.

Above: Trailer for RedLynx's upcoming Trials Evolution, still being published by Microsoft

Ubisoft's growth as a publisher has been marked by a continuous string of acquisitions over the past decade, from the Tom Clancy-founded Red Storm in 2000 to the former Activision property Massive Entertainment in 2008. While the latter has been at helping with the Assassin's Creed and Far Cry series, Ubi's not yet announced what projects it may develop with RedLynx.