Amazon has acquired the Irvine-based Double Helix Games, developers of the Xbox One reboot of Killer Instinct.

Financial terms for the acquisition have not been revealed, and it appears that the acquisition leaked during via an invitation for a joint recruiting event for both Amazon and Double Helix in Los Angeles on 13 February.

Despite the sub rosa nature of the acquisition, Amazon has officially acknowledged it, commenting that it "has acquired Double Helix as part of our ongoing commitment to build innovative games for customers."

Uncertain future

Amazon's vague language does not reveal what part Double Helix will play in its gaming plans, however.

The US-based Amazon already has an internal game development team, Amazon Game Studios, which has developed mobile titles like Air Patriots and Airport Mania HD Free.

But industry rumours also suggest that Amazon is ramping up to launch an Android-powered sub-$300 console to compete with Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony.

Although Amazon has yet to confirm its consular ambitions, having a studio like Double Helix Games in-house would certainly help with these aspirations.

[source: TechCrunch]