Double Helix previously worked on Silent Hill Homecoming, Battleship, and a few other titles. TechCrunch managed to get confirmation from Amazon about the acquisition.
“Amazon has acquired Double Helix as part of our ongoing commitment to build innovative games for customers.”
That was very much to the point. But why Amazon? Turns out that Amazon is preparing to launch an "Android-powered dedicated game sand entertainment device this year priced below $300." They hope to directly compete with Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo.
Double Helix formed from a merger between Shiny Entertainment and The Collective. Apart, those two studios worked on titles such as Earthworm Jim, MDK, Enter the Matrix, and many others. There is really no saying how this will impact Killer Instinct on the Xbox One, which has so far provided a steady rotation of free characters for new players to enjoy each month.
Strider from Double Helix is still expected to be released next month on the PS3. Other planned titles such as Dirty Harry and Harker are no longer expected to be made.
Well, this certainly isn't something I had ever expected to see happen.
Its a strange time for technology.