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Posted by: Matt Liebl

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Wargaming, one of the leading free-to-play MMO developers and publishers, is looking to venture into the console market. The developer/publisher has acquired U.S. console developer Day 1 Studios for $20 million. According to a press release issued today, the new studio will focus "exclusively on the development of an unannounced console title."

Wargaming's flagship titleWorld of Tanks, which launched on PC back in April 2011, currently boasts 45 million players worldwide. Moving forward, the company is working on two additional PC-centric MMOs, World of Warplanes and World of Warships, both due out in 2013.For now, the attention is on the company's shift in strategy towards console gameplay and its focus on becoming a multiplatform game developer.

"The move into console game development is a huge step for Wargaming, as we begin to expand our presence into new platforms,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.“We are looking forward to sharing the fruits of our labor soon.”

Meanwhile, Day 1 Studios, which was founded in 2001, has developed a number of titles including F.E.A.R., Fracture, and Mech Assault. Their next title under Wargaming remains to be seen, but Denny Thorley, the new Head of Wargaming’s Chicago-based studio, added: "Wargaming is a clear leader in the free-to-play space and helps set the standard on which all other games in the genre strive for. Our team is extremely excited to start the first console project for Wargaming.”

In light of the acquisition, Day 1 Studios, now officially known as Wargaming West, has posted job openings for its new project. If you're interested, you can browse the studio's official website.

Tags: Wargaming, Day 1 Studios, World of Warplanes