STALKER license acquired by publisher bitComposer Entertainment

German publisher bitComposer Entertainment has acquired the exclusive rights for the STALKER video game franchise, the company announced today.

The STALKER games are adapted from the 1972 science fiction novel Roadside Picnic by brothers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. BitComposer will hold all rights for future game adaptations of the STALKER brand, but all other rights remain with the Strugatskys.

"The acquisition of the STALKER license serves as an important cornerstone for the further international orientation of bitComposer Entertainment AG," said bitComposer executive board member Stefan Weyl in a press release. "For us, this brand represents a bridge to an important segment of triple-A products and a milestone in the history of the company."

"STALKER is a reputable brand with a long history of success. To date, the series has sold many millions of units worldwide," board member Wolfgang Duhr added. "Naturally, we'd like to tap into the success of this series, and we see a great deal of potential for the future."

BitComposer is the publisher for Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, the second title to be approved through Valve's Steam Greenlight program.