{{Short description|American video game developer}} {{Use American English|date=January 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox company | name = Daybreak Game Company LLC | logo = Daybreak Game Company logo.jpg | former_names = {{Unbulleted list|Sony Online Entertainment Inc.|(1997–2006)|Sony Online Entertainment LLC|(2006–2015)}} | type = Subsidiary | founded = {{Start date and age|1997|12|17}} | hq_location_city = San Diego, California | hq_location_country = U.S. | industry = Video games | products = Massively multiplayer online games | parent = {{Unbulleted list|Sony Computer Entertainment|(1997–2015)|Sony Pictures Digital|(2006–2008)|Inception Acquisitions|(2015–2020)|Enad Global 7|(2020–present)}} | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Jason Epstein (chair)|Ji Ham (CEO)}} | num_employees = 307<ref>{{cite web |url=https://storage.mfn.se/458d9223-2e27-4671-b788-8aab2560fca5/eg7-annual-report-2024.pdf |title=Enad Global 7 AB (publ), Org.no 556923-2837, Annual Report, January – December 2024 |publisher=Enad Global 7 |date=24 April 2025 |access-date=29 March 2026 |archive-date=29 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260329150629/https://storage.mfn.se/458d9223-2e27-4671-b788-8aab2560fca5/eg7-annual-report-2024.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> | num_employees_year = 2024 | subsid = {{Unbulleted list|Darkpaw Games|Dimensional Ink Games|Cold Iron Studios|Rogue Planet Games|Singularity 6}} | website = {{URL|https://www.daybreakgames.com/home|daybreakgames.com}} }}
'''Daybreak Game Company LLC''' is an American video game developer based in San Diego. The company was founded in December 1997 as '''Sony Online Entertainment''' (a subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment) but was spun off to an independent investor in February 2015 and renamed Daybreak Game Company. On December 1, 2020, Daybreak Game Company entered into an agreement to be acquired by Enad Global 7.<ref name="Enad Global 7 press release">{{cite web|url=https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/7758700B9A777D34/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201182242/https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/7758700B9A777D34/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2020|title=EG7 enters into an agreement to acquire Daybreak Game Company and has secured debt financing and intends to raise equity|date=December 1, 2020|publisher=Enad Global 7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-12-01 |title=EverQuest studio Daybreak Games acquired by EG7 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/01/everquest-studio-daybreak-games-acquired-by-eg7/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220526165119/https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/01/everquest-studio-daybreak-games-acquired-by-eg7/ |archive-date=2022-05-26 |access-date=2026-02-04 |work=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref>
They are known for owning, maintaining, and creating additional content for the games ''EverQuest'', ''EverQuest II'', ''The Matrix Online'', ''PlanetSide'', ''Star Wars Galaxies'', ''Clone Wars Adventures'', ''Free Realms'', ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes'', ''DC Universe Online'', ''PlanetSide 2'', ''H1Z1: Just Survive'', and ''H1Z1: King of the Kill'', along with more recent acquisitions ''Dungeons & Dragons Online'', ''Magic: The Gathering Online'', ''The Lord of the Rings Online'', and ''Palia''.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://massivelyop.com/2016/12/19/turbine-spins-lotro-and-ddo-teams-out-to-new-studio-using-daybreak-as-publisher/ |title=Turbine spins LOTRO and DDO teams out to new studio using Daybreak as Publisher |date=December 19, 2016 |author=Bree Royce |publisher=Massively OP}}</ref><ref name="Bradford">{{Cite web |last=Bradford |first=Joseph |date=July 2, 2024 |title=Daybreak Games Has Acquired Palia Developer Singularity 6 |url=https://www.mmorpg.com/news/daybreak-games-has-acquired-palia-developer-singularity-6-2000132085 |website=MMORPG.com}}</ref>
==History== ===Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (1997–2005)=== thumb|left|Former Sony Online Entertainment logo Sony Online Entertainment began with Sony Interactive Studios America (SISA), an internal game development studio of Sony, formed in 1995. In 1996, John Smedley was put in charge of SISA's development of an online role-playing video game. The game would evolve into the MMORPG ''EverQuest''. Smedley hired programmers Brad McQuaid and Steve Clover, who had come to Smedley's attention through their work on the single-player role-playing game ''Warwizard''. thumb|Former Sony Online Entertainment headquarters in San Diego
In April 1998, Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) was formed by merging parts of Sony Online Ventures with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Within a matter of months after this change, Sony Interactive Studios America was renamed 989 Studios. Towards the end of 1998, 989 Studios shifted its strategy to making PlayStation games. The company's video game and online development branch spun off; John Smedley, Brad McQuaid and Russell Shanks, as well as 55 other ex-989 employees, founded RedEye Interactive, later renamed Verant Interactive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p19.html |title=GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins, Page 19 of 19 |first=John |last=Keefer |date=March 31, 2006 |website=GameSpy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609133230/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p19.html |archive-date=June 9, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Verant Interactive launched ''EverQuest'' on March 16, 1999, through Sony with modest expectations. The game became successful. Sales continued rising at a steady rate until mid-2001 when growth slowed. {{as of|2004|post=,}} Sony reported subscription numbers close to 450,000. In March 2000, Verant released ''EverQuest: The Ruins of Kunark'', the first in a long list of expansion packs for ''EverQuest''.
In April 2000, Verant hired former ''Ultima Online'' developers Raph Koster and Rich Vogel. They formed an office in Austin, Texas, to develop ''Star Wars Galaxies'' for LucasArts. SOE acquired Verant in June 2000 and eventually promoted Brad McQuaid to be its Chief Creative Officer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Sam |date=May 17, 2006 |title=Sony Acquires Verant |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-acquires-verant/1100-2580857/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2001, McQuaid resigned and founded Sigil Games Online, drawing many of the original developers of ''EverQuest'' from SOE.
Developed by Sony Online Entertainment, LucasArts released ''Star Wars Galaxies'' in 2003, which saw rapid growth, as expected. Bruce Woodcock estimates that ''Star Wars Galaxies'' reached nearly 300,000 subscribers within the year, before trailing off. LucasArts has released three expansions for ''Star Wars Galaxies'', ''Jump to Lightspeed'' in October 2004, ''Rage of the Wookiees'' in May 2005, and ''Trials Of Obi-Wan'' in November 2005.
In 2003, the company also explored relatively untouched MMOG territory with the massively multiplayer online first-person shooter ''PlanetSide'' and the PlayStation 2 MMORPG ''EverQuest Online Adventures''. ''PlanetSide'' enjoyed a reasonably successful launch, however it never attracted wide popularity. SOE released two expansions for ''PlanetSide'', a retail product titled ''Core Combat'', and ''Aftershock'', a free expansion. ''EverQuest Online Adventures'' was not as successful, but it spawned an expansion, ''EverQuest Online Adventures Frontiers''. The game was shut down on March 29, 2012, after nine years of operation.
''EverQuest II'' was released on November 9, 2004. The sequel was set hundreds of years after the original. Similar in strategy to ''EverQuest'', SOE has released several adventure packs and expansion packs for ''EverQuest II'', starting with ''The Bloodline Chronicles'' in March 2005.
In January 2005, Sony Online Entertainment announced the creation of Station Publishing, a new label for distributing titles made by external developers. It was renamed Platform Publishing some time later, publishing titles such as ''Frantix'' and ''GripShift''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Platform Publishing |url=http://platformpublishing.station.sony.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725085908/http://platformpublishing.station.sony.com/ |archive-date=2011-07-25 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Platform Publishing}}</ref> In November 2005, SOE added the New Game Enhancements to ''Star Wars Galaxies'', changing many of the game's core mechanics. This upset players and critics, with the level of concurrent players reduced to around 10,000; relatively few for the MMO industry.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/in-galaxies-far-far-away/ |title=In 'Galaxies' Far, Far Away... |author=William Vitka |publisher=CBSNews |date=February 21, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Chase |first=Matthew |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3146444 |title=Star Wars Galaxies: AED Review for PC from |publisher=1UP.com |date=December 16, 2005 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710061338/http://www.1up.com/reviews/star-wars-galaxies-empire-divided |archive-date=July 10, 2012}}</ref>
SOE has produced numerous ''EverQuest'' expansions and spin-off video games, including ''Champions of Norrath'' (for PlayStation 2) and ''Lords of EverQuest'' (Windows). They published ''Champions: Return to Arms'', the sequel to ''Champions of Norrath'', in February 2005. In August 2005, SOE entered a deal with Warner Bros. Entertainment which saw the acquisition and transition of ''The Matrix Online'' to the existing line up of SOE games.
===Sony Online Entertainment LLC (2006–2015)=== [[File:Everquest 2 Cosplayers.jpg|thumb|upright|Promotion of ''EverQuest II'' and ''Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom'' at the E3 2006]] In April 2006, Sony Online Entertainment, Inc. became Sony Online Entertainment LLC, owned by Sony Pictures Digital and Sony Computer Entertainment America. In May 2006, it was announced that SOE would be co-publisher of ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes''. However, Sigil retained full development rights, and SOE's role was only that of marketing, distribution, technical support, and hosting the game servers. SOE also announced the release of ''Field Commander'', its third game for the PlayStation Portable System. In August 2006, SOE announced the acquisition of developer Worlds Apart Productions, renaming the studio SOE-Denver. The studio has since released an online version of the ''WizKids'' pirates constructible strategy game. In November 2006, SOE released its first PlayStation 3 title ''Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom'', within the launch window of the PlayStation 3 system. SOE also released ''Pirates Online Constructible Strategy Game'', the online version of the ''WizKids'' Pirates Constructible Strategy Game.
In January 2007, SOE announced that it has licensed rights from Midway Home Entertainment to develop and release six classic Midway games for PlayStation 3 download, including ''Mortal Kombat II'', ''Gauntlet II'', ''Joust'', ''Rampage World Tour'', ''Rampart'', and ''Championship Sprint''. The games were available from the PlayStation Store. On May 15, 2007, Sony Online Entertainment announced that they had completed a transaction to purchase key assets from Sigil Games Online, including ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes'' (described as Sigil's "tentpole property").
On March 13, 2008, Sony Online Entertainment announced that Sony Computer Entertainment will have direct control over SOE.
On January 16, 2009, the company joined Steam, selling ''EverQuest'', ''EverQuest II'' and ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes'' via Steam. On the same day, the company purchased Pox Nora, an online turn-based strategy game. On August 1, 2009, SOE shut down ''The Matrix Online'' after 4 years of operation. Players were treated to about 2 months of gaming despite some initial setbacks that left many veteran players unable to access the game for about a week after the announcement was made. A memory book was developed and was made available for download on the game's site.
{{As of|2010|May}}, John Smedley was the CEO of Sony Online Entertainment. SOE is headquartered in San Diego, California, with additional game development studios located in Austin, Texas, Denver, Colorado and Seattle, Washington. On July 15, 2010, SOE eliminated 35 full-time positions and an undisclosed number of temporary positions to "...better align the company's resources..."<ref>{{cite web |author=Jim Reilly |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/110/1106394p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718114305/http://pc.ign.com/articles/110/1106394p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2010 |title=Layoffs Hit Sony Online Entertainment - PC News at IGN |publisher=Pc.ign.com |access-date=July 22, 2012}}</ref> On August 8, 2010, SOE announced that ''EverQuest Next'' was in the early stages of development.
On January 7, 2011, SOE and Fastpoint Games announced the alpha launch of the Facebook game ''Fortune League''. ''Fortune League'' integrates real-time performance data such as damages, deaths and healings directly from the massively multiplayer online game environment and uses them to form "Hero Stats" that drive the game. Therefore, player actions inside ''EverQuest II'' affected what happened in Fortune League, and prizes from Fortune League helped users advance in the ''EverQuest II'' environment. Fastpoint Games CEO, Kelly Perdew, positioned Fortune League as a new category of "snackable" data-driven games that would help MMO franchises acquire users and tap new revenue streams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fastpoint Games Launches Game With Sony Online |url=https://www.socaltech.com/fastpoint_games_inks_deal_with_sony_online/s-0033139.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240712115218/https://www.socaltech.com/fastpoint_games_inks_deal_with_sony_online/s-0033139.html |archive-date=2024-07-12 |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=www.socaltech.com}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/07/3307357/fortune-league-brings-everquest.html Sacramento Bee Article]{{dead link|date=October 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} retrieved January 7, 2011</ref> On February 1, 2011, SOE unveiled new PlayStation Network games to be released throughout the year. These included ''Acceleration of Suguri X Edition'', ''Akimi Village'', ''Plants vs. Zombies'', ''Rochard'', ''Sideway'' and ''Slam Bolt Scrappers''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/News/Sony-Unveils-New-Playstation-Network-Games/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/705584?contextCategoryId=40474&ref=25 |title=Sony Unveils New Playstation Network Games - License |publisher=Licensemag.com |date=February 1, 2011 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318060147/http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/News/Sony-Unveils-New-Playstation-Network-Games/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/705584?contextCategoryId=40474&ref=25 |archive-date=March 18, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 31, 2011, SOE confirmed that "it will eliminate 205 positions and close its Denver, Seattle, and Tucson studios." Production of ''The Agency'' was also discontinued.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fahey |first=Mike |title=Sony's MMO Studio Confirms Massive Layoffs, Closes The Book On The Agency |date=March 31, 2011 |url=https://kotaku.com/sonys-mmo-studio-confirms-massive-layoffs-closes-the-b-5787698 |publisher=Kotaku}}</ref>
On December 6, 2011, ''EverQuest II'' switched to a free-to-play model, with optional subscriptions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=510206 |title=F2P/AoD/GU 62 Producer's Launch Letter! (12/06/2011) |publisher=Forums.station.sony.com |access-date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808035152/http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=510206 |archive-date=August 8, 2012}}</ref> On December 15, 2011, ''Star Wars Galaxies'' was closed. SOE maintained a Memory Book<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://starwarsgalaxies.station.sony.com/index.vm |title=SWG Memory Book |access-date=December 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230204032/http://starwarsgalaxies.station.sony.com/index.vm |archive-date=December 30, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> for former players.
====Data breach==== {{Main|2011 PlayStation Network outage}} On April 27, 2011, Sony, the parent company of SOE, released statements regarding an intrusion, on or about April 18, into the PlayStation Network, and the potential theft of up to 77 million subscribers' personal data. Sony maintains that PSN and SOE are hosted and run on completely separate subsystems and that the PlayStation Network intrusion had no major effect on SOE's online services.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-sony-hack-20110427,0,6751251.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427034005/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-sony-hack-20110427,0,6751251.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 27, 2011 |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Alex |last=Pham |title=Sony's PlayStation Network and Qriocity hacked |date=April 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Sony Apologizes, Offers Freebies After Network Security Breach |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/01/sony-apologizes-for-psn-hack-offers-free-service_n_856008.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160304071358/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/01/sony-apologizes-for-psn-hack-offers-free-service_n_856008.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2026-02-04 |work=The Huffington Post |language=en-US}}</ref> SOE developers posted messages of concern and apology, but also assurances the SOE servers and systems were not compromised.
On May 2, 2011, SOE interrupted their online services. Players were told "We have had to take the SOE service down temporarily. In the course of our investigation into the intrusion into our systems, we have discovered an issue that warrants enough concern for us to take the service down effective immediately. We will provide an update later today (Monday)."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maintenance.station.sony.com/ |title=SOE - Service Under Maintenance |publisher=Maintenance.station.sony.com |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110145101/http://maintenance.station.sony.com/ |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Later, SOE disclosed that "personal information from approximately 24.6 million SOE accounts may have been stolen", including names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, gender, date of birth, login ID, and hashed passwords.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOE - Service Under Maintenance |url=http://www.soe.com/securityupdate/pressrelease.vm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504230846/http://www.soe.com/securityupdate/pressrelease.vm |archive-date=2011-05-04 |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=www.soe.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-05-03 |title=Sony woes continue as SOE confirms data breach (update: 24.6 million accounts affected) |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-05-02-sony-woes-continue-as-soe-confirms-data-breach.html |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Daybreak Game Company (2015–present)=== On February 2, 2015, Sony announced that SOE had been sold to investment company Columbus Nova for an undisclosed amount and that it would be renamed Daybreak Game Company. Cutting its ties with Sony, Daybreak subsequently became able to develop their games for platforms other than PlayStation, including Xbox and mobile platforms.<ref name=ars-daybreak>{{cite web |title=Sony sells its Everquest-making arm; games will expand to Xbox and mobile |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/02/private-investment-firm-buys-out-sony-online-entertainment/ |website=Ars Technica |date=February 2, 2015 |access-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> On February 11, employees of the company reported they were undergoing layoffs, including several senior developers and project managers. Shortly after, Daybreak responded by announcing the layoffs were intended to make the company profitable but did not detail the extent of the layoffs or whether it would affect the development and support of their new and existing games.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Layoffs At Everquest Next Studio, Including Director Of Development Dave Georgeson | magazine=Game Informer |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/02/11/layoffs-at-everquest-next-studio-including-director-of-development-dave-georgeson.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213091248/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/02/11/layoffs-at-everquest-next-studio-including-director-of-development-dave-georgeson.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=February 13, 2015}}</ref> On July 22, 2015, Daybreak announced that John Smedley had stepped down as the company's president, and that Russell Shanks, the company's former COO, will take up his position.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grubb |first=Jeff |date=2015-07-23 |title=Daybreak Game Company's John Smedley steps down as chief executive officer |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/07/22/daybreak-game-companys-john-smedley-steps-down-as-chief-executive-officer/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220707075257/https://venturebeat.com/2015/07/22/daybreak-game-companys-john-smedley-steps-down-as-chief-executive-officer/ |archive-date=2022-07-07 |access-date=2026-02-04 |work=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref> On August 21, 2015, Smedley left Daybreak to found a new company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/john-smedley-has-left-daybreak-games-to-start-new-company/ |title=John Smedley has left Daybreak Games to start new company |first=Andy |last=Chalk |work=PC Gamer |date=August 21, 2015 |access-date=August 25, 2015}}</ref> In October 2016, Russell Shanks left Daybreak.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=December 6, 2016 |title=Daybreak president Russell Shanks steps down after 16 months |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/daybreak-president-russell-shanks-steps-down-after-16-months |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Game Developer |language=en}}</ref>
On December 19, 2016, it was announced that Daybreak games would become the new publisher of ''The Lord of the Rings Online'' and ''Dungeons & Dragons Online'', taking over the role from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. However, the two games would maintain their old account system and server centers, not integrating with the rest of Daybreak.<ref name=":0" /> The result of this deal would cause the closure of ''Asheron's Call'' and ''Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings'' on January 31, 2017.<ref>{{cite news |author=Royce |first=Bree |date=December 20, 2016 |title=Asheron’s Call and its sequel will sunset as part of the Turbine/Standing Stone split |url=http://massivelyop.com/2016/12/20/asherons-call-and-its-sequel-will-sunset-as-part-of-the-turbinestanding-stone-split/ |access-date=December 21, 2016 |work=Massively Overpowered}}</ref>
In April 2018, Viktor Vekselberg, a Russian businessman and owner of portfolio company Renova Group, was sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury as part of an investigation on Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Neghaiwi |first=Brenna Hughes |title=U.S. sanctions on Vekselberg have $1.5-$2 billion assets frozen: sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-sanctions-renova-idUSKBN1HS0FB |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230627153423/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-sanctions-renova-idUSKBN1HS0FB |archive-date=2023-06-27 |access-date=2026-02-04 |work=U.S. |language=en-US}}</ref> Columbus Nova had previously identified itself as an affiliate of Renova Group, while Renova Group had listed Columbus Nova as part of its corporate structure.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schreck |first=Carl |date=2018-05-09 |title=Columbus Nova: Meet The Russia-Linked Firm That Hired Trump's Lawyer |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/columbus-nova-meet-the-russia-linked-firm-that-hired-trump-s-lawyer/29217547.html |access-date=2026-02-04 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en}}</ref> Subsequently, it was believed that Columbus Nova, and consequently Daybreak, had also been affected by these sanctions. Daybreak subsequently began to deny that it had been sold to Columbus Nova, stating that the company had actually been acquired by Jason Epstein through his company Inception Acquisitions, LLC instead. At the time of the acquisition, Epstein had been a partner to Columbus Nova, though he left that company in 2017. A Daybreak spokesperson claimed that Epstein's exact ties to Columbus Nova had caused confusion in media reporting of the sale, even though its deleted press release made the same claim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=2018-04-27 |title=Daybreak Games denies reported links to sanctioned Russian oligarch [Updated] |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/04/after-sanctions-daybreak-games-changes-its-tune-on-its-russian-affiliation/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Ars Technica |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-09/russian-billionaire-to-lower-sulzer-stake-after-u-s-sanctions |title=Russian Billionaire's Swiss Empire Rocked by U.S. Sanctions |work=Bloomberg.com |access-date=May 9, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/04/us/politics/viktor-vekselberg-mueller-investigation.html |title=Viktor Vekselberg, Russian Billionaire, Was Questioned by Mueller's Investigators |date=May 4, 2018 |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 9, 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://kotaku.com/one-video-game-company-has-murky-ties-to-trump-s-lawyer-1825896842 |title=One Video Game Company Has Murky Ties To Trump's Lawyer And Russian Payments |last=Gach |first=Ethan |work=Kotaku |access-date=May 9, 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> Columbus Nova also stated that it had never been owned by Renova Group, though Renova Group had been their largest client.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/22/us/politics/michael-cohen-andrew-intrater.html |title=In Michael Cohen's Rolodex, an Investor Tied to Russia Saw Pay Dirt |first1=Ben |last1=Protess |first2=William K. |last2=Rashbaum |first3=Mike |last3=McIntire |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 22, 2018 |access-date=January 23, 2019 }}</ref>
In September 2018, holding company NantWorks announced its strategic investment in Daybreak, and the resulting new venture in which the company will bring popular Daybreak games (including ''EverQuest'' and ''H1Z1'') to mobile platforms.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/nantworks-invests-in-daybreak-game-mobile-game-venture-1202931910/ |title=Nantworks Invests in Daybreak Game Company for Mobile Game Venture |first=Liz |last=Lanier |date=September 7, 2018 |website=Variety |access-date=October 24, 2018}}</ref> Three rounds of layoffs occurred between April 2018 and October 2019; the December rounds was estimated to have affected around 70 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/daybreak-games-makes-multiple-layoffs-including-on-planetside-arena-team/ |title=Daybreak Games makes multiple layoffs, including on Planetside Arena team |first=Samuel |last=Horti |date=October 12, 2019 |website=PC Gamer |access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-14-daybreak-game-company-suffers-more-layoffs |title=Daybreak Game Company suffers more layoffs |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=October 14, 2019 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref> These layoffs were towards "a realignment of the company into separate franchise teams, which will allow us to highlight their expertise, better showcase the games they work on, and ultimately provide tailored experiences for our players."<ref name="gamasutra jan2020"/>
{{anchor|Dimensional Ink Games|Darkpaw Games|Rogue Planet Games}} Following from the October 2019 round of layoffs, Daybreak announced in January 2020 that it would reorganize its internal structure to form three divisions: Dimensional Ink Games, Darkpaw Games, and Rogue Planet Games. Dimensional Ink became responsible for ongoing maintenance of ''DC Universe Online'' while working on a new MMO, Darkpaw to focus on the ''EverQuest'' franchise, and Rogue Planet to focus on ''PlanetSide 2''.<ref name="gamasutra jan2020">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/daybreak-games-restructures-internal-studios-around-key-franchises | title = Daybreak Games restructures internal studios around key franchises | first= Chris | last = Kerr | date = January 21, 2020 | access-date = January 21, 2020 | work = Gamasutra }}</ref>
In August 2020, it was announced that Daybreak would acquire Cold Iron Studios which was developing a PC and console game set in the ''Alien'' universe at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-08-11 |title=Daybreak Games acquires Cold Iron Studios, saving the next Alien game |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/08/11/daybreak-games-acquires-cold-iron-studios-saving-the-next-alien-game/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220522210417/https://venturebeat.com/2020/08/11/daybreak-games-acquires-cold-iron-studios-saving-the-next-alien-game/ |archive-date=2022-05-22 |access-date=2026-02-04 |work=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref> However, the deal never went through and the subsequent purchase of Daybreak by Enad Global 7 did not include Cold Iron Studios.
On December 1, 2020, it was reported that Daybreak Game Company would be acquired by Enad Global 7 for $300 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/12/enad-global-7-to-acquire-daybreak-game-company |title=Enad Global 7 to acquire Daybreak Game Company |first=Sal |last=Romano |date=December 1, 2020 |website=Gematsu |access-date=March 14, 2021}}</ref> The transaction was completed on December 22.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/CAF4827A407F0B5C/ |title=EG7 Completes the Acquisition of Daybreak Game Company |publisher=Enad Global 7 |date=December 22, 2020 |access-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308000953/https://www.enadglobal7.com/press/CAF4827A407F0B5C/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In December 2021, it was reported that Daybreak Game Company would be taking over development of ''Magic: The Gathering Online'' in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thegamer.com/daybreak-games-take-over-magic-the-gathering-online-in-2022/ |title=Everquest Developer Daybreak Games To Take Over Magic The Gathering Online In 2022 |first=JOE|last=PARLOCK|date=December 23, 2021 |website=TheGamer|access-date=December 23, 2021}}</ref> The transition to Daybreak Games servers was completed on October 18, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Magic Online Transition Details |url=https://www.mtgo.com/news/mtgo-transitiondetails-10112022 |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=MAGIC: THE GATHERING |date=October 11, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
In February 2024, "less than 15" employees were laid off from teams supporting Everquest, Dungeons & Dragons Online, DC Universe Online, and Lord of the Rings Online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=2024-02-15 |title=Daybreak confirms "less than 15" layoffs |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/daybreak-confirms-less-than-15-layoffs |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>
On July 1, 2024, Daybreak Game Company announced its acquisition of Palia developer Singularity 6.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MarketScreener |date=2024-07-02 |title=Daybreak Acquires Singularity 6, Developer of Popular Online Game, Palia - MarketScreener |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/ENAD-GLOBAL-7-AB-61747450/news/Daybreak-Acquires-Singularity-6-Developer-of-Popular-Online-Game-Palia-47280736/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=www.marketscreener.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Bradford"/>
==Station.com== Sony Online Entertainment's Station.com was a portal to its PC, console, casual and mobile games. Players could access and download games such as ''EverQuest'', ''EverQuest II'' and ''PlanetSide''. Station.com also provided sneak previews to new games for Sony PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable, including ''Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://darkkingdom.station.sony.com/ |title=Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom |publisher=Darkkingdom.station.sony.com |access-date=December 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102130357/http://darkkingdom.station.sony.com/ |archive-date=January 2, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> November 2006. In August 2006, Station.com added several games by Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment.
==ForgeLight engine== {{Main|ForgeLight}}
The ForgeLight engine is a game engine developed by the company, and used for ''Free Realms'', ''Clone Wars Adventures'', ''PlanetSide 2'', ''Landmark'', ''EverQuest Next'', ''Just Survive'', and ''H1Z1''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/111555-EverQuest-Next-and-Planetside-2-To-Use-New-Forge-Light-Engine |title=EverQuest Next and Planetside 2 To Use New Forge Light Engine |date=July 10, 2011 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-date=August 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827071724/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/111555-EverQuest-Next-and-Planetside-2-To-Use-New-Forge-Light-Engine |url-status=dead }}</ref> The engine is able to support up to 2,000 players on a single game server and allows over 200 players to be rendered by a game client at once.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sony Online Entertainment to use PlanetSide 2 engine for all its future MMOs |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/78613/sony-online-entertainment-to-use-planetside-2-engine-for-all |website=Shacknews |date=April 8, 2013 |access-date=15 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
==Games== {|class="wikitable sortable" ! Title ! Release date ! Platform(s) ! Status ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- |''Tanarus'' || {{dts|1997-11-30}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2010-06-10}} || |- |''EverQuest'' || {{dts|1999-03-16}} || Windows || {{yes|Active}} || Co-developed with 989 Studios |- |''Infantry'' || {{dts|1999-10}} ||Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2012-03-29}} || Developed by Harmless eGames LLC |- |''Cosmic Rift'' || {{dts|2001-04-17}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2012-03-29}} || Developed by Jeff Petersen |- |''EverQuest Online Adventures'' || {{dts|2003-02-11}} || PlayStation 2 || {{terminated|Closed 2012-03-29}} || |- |''PlanetSide'' || {{dts|2003-05-20}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2016-07-01}} || |- |''Star Wars Galaxies'' || {{dts|2003-06-26}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2011-12-15}} || Published by LucasArts. Closed after licensing with LucasArts ceased. |- |''EverQuest Online Adventures: Frontiers'' || {{dts|2003-11-17}} || PlayStation 2 || {{terminated|Closed 2012-03-29}} || |- |''Star Chamber: The Harbinger Saga'' || {{dts|2003-11}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2012-03-29}} || Developed by Nayantara Studios |- |''Lords of EverQuest'' || {{dts|2003-12-12}} || Windows || {{N/A}} || Developed by Rapid Eye Entertainment |- |''Champions of Norrath'' || {{dts|2004-02-10}} || PlayStation 2 || {{N/A}} || Developed by Snowblind Studios |- |''EverQuest II'' || {{dts|2004-11-08}} || Windows || {{yes|Active}} || |- |''Champions: Return to Arms'' || {{dts|2005-02-07}} || PlayStation 2 || {{N/A}} || Developed by Snowblind Studios |- |''Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade'' || {{dts|2005-03-22}} || PSP || {{N/A}} || |- | data-sort-value="Matrix Online" |''The Matrix Online'' || {{dts|2005-08-09}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2009-07-31}} || Originally released on {{dts|2005-03-22}} by Monolith Productions. Acquired by SOE on {{dts|2005-08-09}}. |- |''Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code'' || {{dts|2006-03-28}} || PSP || {{N/A}} || |- |''Field Commander'' || {{dts|2006-05-23}} || PSP || {{N/A}} || |- |''PoxNora'' || {{dts|2006-08-01}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2014-03-06}} || Co-developed by Octopi Media Design Lab and Desert Owl Games. Now run by Desert Owl Games. |- |''Cash Guns Chaos'' || {{dts|2006-11-17}} || PlayStation 3 || {{N/A}} || |- |''Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom'' || {{dts|2006-11-19}} || PlayStation 3 || {{N/A}} || |- |''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes'' || {{dts|2007-01-30}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2014-07-31}} || Co-Published with Sigil Games |- |''Legends of Norrath''||{{dts|2007-05-09}}|| Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2016-08-17}} || |- |''God of War: Betrayal'' || {{dts|2007-06-20}} || Java Platform, Micro Edition || {{N/A}} || Co-developed with Javaground and published by Sony Pictures Digital |- |''Pirates of the Burning Sea'' || {{dts|2008-01-22}} || Windows || {{yes|Active}} || Originally developed by Flying Lab Software. Now run by Portalus. |- |''Jeopardy!'' || {{dts|2008-09-11}} || PlayStation 3 || {{N/A}} || |- |''Bejeweled 2'' || {{dts|2009-01-29}} || PlayStation 3, PSP || {{N/A}} || Handled the port with PopCap Games. Released {{dts|2010-06-28}} for PSP. |- |''Zuma'' || {{dts|2009-02-19}} || PlayStation 3, PSP || {{N/A}} || Handled the port with PopCap Games; rereleased in 2012 by Electronic Arts. Released {{dts|2010-08-24}} for PSP. |- |''Wheel of Fortune'' || {{dts|2009-03-19}} || PlayStation 3 || {{N/A}} || |- |''Free Realms'' || {{dts|2009-04-28}} || Windows, PlayStation 3 ||{{terminated|Closed 2014-03-31}} || Released {{dts|2011-03-29}}<ref name="freerealmsps3">{{cite web |url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/115/1155107p1.html |title=Free Realms Coming Soon to PSN |publisher=IGN |date=March 11, 2011 |access-date=March 11, 2011}}</ref> for PS3 |- |''Heavy Weapon'' || {{dts|2009-06-11}} || PlayStation 3 || {{yes|Active}} || Handled the port with PopCap Games |- |''Peggle'' and ''Peggle Nights'' || {{dts|2009-11-19}} || PlayStation 3, PSP || {{yes|Active}} || Handled the port with PopCap Games. Released {{dts|2010-11-16}} for PSP. |- |''Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown'' || {{dts|2010-03-11}} || PlayStation 3 || {{N/A}} || Handled the port with PopCap Games; rereleased in 2012 by Electronic Arts. |- |''Groovin' Blocks'' || {{dts|2010-03-18}} || PlayStation 3, PSP || {{N/A}} || Handled the port with Empty Clip Studios. Released {{dts|2010-07-13}} for PSP. |- |''Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures'' || {{dts|2010-09-15}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2014-03-31}} || |- |''Fortune League'' || {{dts|2011-01-07}} || Facebook || {{terminated|Closed 2011-07-11}} || Developed with Fastpoint Games |- |''DC Universe Online'' || {{dts|2011-01-11}} || Windows, PlayStation 3 (discontinued), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch || {{yes|Active}} || Developed by Dimensional Ink Games |- |''Magic: The Gathering – Tactics'' || {{dts|2011-01-18}} || Windows, PlayStation 3 || {{terminated|Closed 2014-03-28}} || |- |''Plants vs. Zombies'' |{{dts|2011-02-08}} || PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita || {{N/a}} || Handled the port with PopCap Games. Released {{dts|2012-02-21}} for PS Vita. |- |''Payday: The Heist'' || {{dts|2011-10-04}} || Windows, PlayStation 3 || {{N/a}} || Developed with Overkill Software |- |''Bullet Run'' || {{dts|2012-7-31}} || Windows || {{terminated|Closed 2013-03-08}} || Developed by ACONY |- |''PlanetSide 2'' | {{dts|2012-11-20}} | Windows, PlayStation 4 |{{yes|Active}} |Development had been paused to work on ''Planetside Arena''. With ''Arena''{{'}}s cancellation, ''PS2'' has returned to active development with the "Escalation" update on March 11, 2020. |- |''Dragon's Prophet''||{{dts|2013-09-23}}|| Windows ||{{terminated|Closed 2015-11-16}} || Developed by Runewaker Entertainment |- |''Just Survive'' | {{dts|2015-01-15}} (early access) | Windows |{{terminated|Closed 2018-10-24}} |Was formerly the original game concept sold in early access, known simply as ''H1Z1'', until it was split into two separate projects in February 2016. Was renamed as ''Just Survive'' in October 2017. Closed in October 2018. |- |''Landmark'' | {{dts|2016-06-10}} | Windows<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.landmarkthegame.com/home |title=Landmark The Game Home Page |access-date=August 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727082201/https://www.landmarkthegame.com/home |archive-date=July 27, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/08/02/everquest-next-landmark-announced/ |title=EverQuest Next Landmark, a free-to-play voxel building game, coming this winter |website=PC Gamer |date=August 2, 2013 |last1=Wilde |first1=Tyler }}</ref> || {{terminated|Closed 2017-02-21}}|| Was in parallel development with ''EverQuest Next'' |- |''Z1 Battle Royale'' | {{dts|2018-02-28}} | Windows, PlayStation 4 |{{yes|Active}} |Formerly known as ''King of the Kill'' and ''H1Z1''. |- | ''EverQuest Next'' | ''Canceled'' | Windows, PlayStation 4<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/01/27/soe-confirms-ps4-everquest-next-talks-star-wars-galaxies.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129010833/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/01/27/soe-confirms-ps4-everquest-next-talks-star-wars-galaxies.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=January 29, 2014 |title=SOE Confirms PS4 Everquest Next & Talks Star Wars Galaxies |publisher=Game Informer |access-date=February 8, 2014}}</ref> || {{no|Canceled}} || Canceled on March 11, 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.daybreakgames.com/news/daybreak-president-community-letter-everquest-next-2016 |title=EQN News: A Letter from Daybreak's President |date=March 11, 2016 |publisher=DaybreakGames.com |access-date=March 11, 2016}}</ref> |- |''PlanetSide Arena'' | ''Canceled'' | Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One<ref>{{cite web |last1=Palumbo |first1=Alessio |title=PlanetSide Arena Interview - Devs on What Makes It Unique, Adding Story Progression & Third Person; Cross-Play Planned |url=https://wccftech.com/planetside-arena-interview-devs-on-what-makes-it-unique-adding-story-progression-cross-play-planned/ |website=WCCFTech |date=September 13, 2019 |access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref> || {{no|Canceled}} || Canceled on December 13, 2019, with servers shut down on January 10, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sites |first1=Andy |title=A Message From The Development Team |url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/987350/announcements/detail/2988632806212615010 |website=Steam |date=December 13, 2019 |publisher=DaybreakGames |access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=Owen |title=PlanetSide Arena shuts down after a short, troubled life |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/12/14/21021862/planetside-arena-shuts-down-servers-pc-steam-refunds |website=Polygon |date=December 14, 2019 |access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref> |- |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.daybreakgames.com/home}}
{{Daybreak Game Company}} {{EverQuest}} {{Authority control}}
Category:1997 establishments in California Category:American companies established in 1997 Category:Video game companies established in 1997 Category:EverQuest Category:Video game companies based in San Diego Category:Video game development companies Category:PlayStation Studios Category:Former Sony subsidiaries Category:2005 mergers and acquisitions Category:2015 mergers and acquisitions Category:2020 mergers and acquisitions Category:American subsidiaries of foreign companies