Vivendi Universal have acquired UK-based developer Swordfish Studios.

Vivendi Universal Games have successfully acquired independent game developer Swordfish Studios, and will be keeping the team of 45 professionals under the new agreement.

"Swordfish Studios has emerged as a strong creative force with an experienced and talented group of professionals," said Bruce Hack, CEO of VU Games. "Following the integration of Radical Entertainment into the VU Games organization and Blizzard Entertainment's acquisition of Swingin' Ape Studios earlier this year, the purchase of Swordfish further builds our internal development capabilities."

Swordfish will remain largely unchanged by the buyout, but there will be minor changes in how things are handled. For example Trevor Williams, Managing Director of Swordfish, will still lead the team, but will now report to Peter Della Penna, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Product Development for VU Games.

The Birmingham based studio have just finished the first-person shooter Cold Winter for the PS2.