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GameSpot Video Games, PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, GameCube, PSP, DS, GBA, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Ritual to talk MumboJumbo

Casual game specialist that brought Luxor to the masses buys fourth game studio.
By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UK
Posted Jan 25, 2007 11:37 am GMT

Dallas, Texas-based company MumboJumbo has bought Ritual Entertainment, the studio that developed the SiN franchise. The deal took place for an undisclosed sum, and it's a move that MumboJumbo believes will strengthen the company's presence in the casual games industry.

Ritual Entertainment was founded in 1996, also in Dallas, Texas, and was formerly known as Hipnotic Interactive. The company has worked by "contribution or development" on a range of titles, including the SiN Episodes series, 25 to Life, Painkiller, and Quake 4. It currently has more than 30 employees.

MumboJumbo was formed in 2001 by Ron Dimant, who left his post as chief executive officer of Ritual to start up the company. It describes itself as a "publisher, developer, and mass marketer of premium casual games," and produced games, including Luxor 2, Snowball Run, and 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. It already owns and operates three studios in North America.

In October, MumboJumbo announced plans to bring its top game franchises to the PlayStation Portable, and Luxor: Wrath of Set and Platypus were released on the handheld in mid-November. On November 28, the company announced that it would be branching out into Europe and created a new division to focus on the European market.

Dimant believes that the two companies will work well together. He commented, "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."

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22 Comments

First to Last Latest
mismajor99

Well, I was hoping for the next chapter of SiN. I liked the storyline a lot but not so much the gameplay. Even so, I hope they do decide to continue making the series, but this doesn't sound good.

Posted Jan 25, 2007 8:12 pm GMT
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Chief_Kuuni

I have no idea about this but oh well

Posted Jan 25, 2007 8:11 pm GMT
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Vash67

1. Who is MumboJumbo?
2. Why should I care who they are?
3. Are they gonna make Ritual push out SiN 2 soon?

Posted Jan 25, 2007 7:05 pm GMT
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TryMe01

it seems to be all about the casual market, its making money...!

Posted Jan 25, 2007 3:48 pm GMT
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comthitnuong

he's right about the casual game market...its making good money

Posted Jan 25, 2007 2:46 pm GMT
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Sharvie

'When I saw the title I though it was about the new Banjo Kazooie game'

Yeah so did i.

Posted Jan 25, 2007 11:07 am GMT
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rah_mhambrey

hmm ritual is makin a dx 10 game for the pc lesse

Posted Jan 25, 2007 10:24 am GMT
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LordAndrew

Casual games are cool, but what about SiN? Are the other episodes still coming?

Posted Jan 25, 2007 10:01 am GMT
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GodsBusy

They bought Ritual and want to talk about casual gaming instead of SiN . . . not a good omen.

SiN Episode One was cool, I was really looking forward to Ep2 . . .

Posted Jan 25, 2007 9:21 am GMT
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OfficialBed

neato

Posted Jan 25, 2007 9:10 am GMT
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Exodist

I kinda want the next SiN episode to be made, I enjoyed the original and would like to see what they can come up with next, and how they can improve it. SiN Emergence may not of been the best FPS of 2006, but it was still enjoyable.

Posted Jan 25, 2007 8:42 am GMT
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mclazyj

I don't feel this is a positive step in the development of the next episode of SiN. See how their was no mention of SiN Episodes in the press release.

Posted Jan 25, 2007 8:07 am GMT
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Doolum

let us see what comes of it,

Posted Jan 25, 2007 7:55 am GMT
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Re_ensurer

Bringing top franchises to the PSP. Sounds cool.

Posted Jan 25, 2007 7:23 am GMT
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the_real_VIP

Is there still gonna be a SiN Episode 2?

Posted Jan 25, 2007 6:31 am GMT
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indigoAK200

I'll add my name to the list of folks that thought this was Banjo-Kazooie news.

My 360 yearns for it...

Posted Jan 25, 2007 5:24 am GMT
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Cloud737

I hope this doesn`t mean that Ritual will stop developing great games. I really liked their games, including SiN, Painkiller and others.
If they are only gonna develop casual games from now on, I`ll hate MumboJumbo for the rest of my life.

Posted Jan 25, 2007 5:18 am GMT
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SpecterX3

When I saw the title I though it was about the new Banjo Kazooie game

Posted Jan 25, 2007 5:00 am GMT
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Rockclmbr6

Mmkay, I wasn't alone in thinking this was about banjo kazooie.

Posted Jan 25, 2007 4:47 am GMT
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Willy105

Bleh.

For a moment there I thought this news was about Mumbo Jumbo from Banjo-Kazooie, but what a dissapointment.

Posted Jan 25, 2007 4:14 am GMT
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blacktorn

I thought this way about mombo jumbo from banjoo kazooie...never mind...

Posted Jan 25, 2007 3:58 am GMT
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ares_infernus

good news?

Posted Jan 25, 2007 3:53 am GMT
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