SAS Sells SouthPeak

GameSpot has learned that SouthPeak Interactive has been sold to an undisclosed buyer. A source at its parent company, SAS Institute, has confirmed that the company's name and logo are going to the buyer as part of the agreement and that the sale could be finalized as early as November 11. SouthPeak was sold to a company outside of North Carolina - where both SouthPeak Interactive and SAS Institute are based - and the deal was consummated for an undisclosed amount. When contacted for comment, Bob Chase, senior media relations specialist at SouthPeak Interactive, told GameSpot that the company is "moving ahead with all of [its] projects for fall 2000." Games such as Mia Hamm Soccer 64 and Dukes of Hazzard 2: Daisy Dukes it Out for the Sony PlayStation will be released as planned. He could not comment on the sale or on the company's plans for 2001.

The sale of SouthPeak Interactive could be a result of SAS Institute's intentions to go public. This move is part of the company's strategy to liquidate or sell assets that may be viewed negatively on Wall Street. SouthPeak Interactive has developed such games as ToCA: Touring Car Championship, Fighter Destiny 2, Big Mountain 2000, and the aforementioned Dukes of Hazzard games. An official announcement on the sale is not expected for quite some time.