Vivendi Universal today announced that VU Games has completed the purchase of leading independent console developer, Radical Entertainment. Under the agreement, VU Games will retain Radical’s team of more than 200 development professionals, as well as acquire the studio’s exclusive game development technologies. Radical’s founder Ian Wilkinson has been named President, Radical Entertainment, and the studio will remain in Vancouver, Canada. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"The purchase of Radical Entertainment reinforces our commitment to strengthening VU Games’ creative talent and internal console development capabilities," said Bruce Hack, CEO of VU Games. "Radical’s focus will remain on entertainment-based console games for current and next generation platforms."

Radical is best known for developing critically acclaimed and commercially successful releases such as: The Simpsons: Hit & Run, which sold more than 3.5 million retail units worldwide; The Hulk, which sold more than 2 million retail units worldwide; and The Simpsons Road Rage, which sold 3 million retail units worldwide. Currently, the studio is developing several multi-platform titles for VU Games launching in 2005, including Scarface, Crash Tag Team Racing and The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.

"We’ve had tremendous success working with VU Games over the past few years, and we believe our integration will be extremely positive for the future of Radical," said Ian Wilkinson, President, Radical Entertainment. "VU Games recognizes and values our unique and creative work environment, as well as our commitment to developing top-selling entertainment products. We are excited to be part of VU Games’ global development team."