Terms of the deal were not specified.

Related Designs was established in Mainz, Germany in 1995. The developer created the Anno real-time strategy series, as well as other RTS titles like .

With Ubisoft now in control of the company, Related Design's 65-person staff will continue its work on the browser-based free-to-play massively multiplayer online game . In addition, the studio will work with Ubisoft-owned Blue Byte on "future titles."

"We're happy to formally join Ubisoft," Related Designs managing director Thomas Pottkämper said in a statement. "This move validates our longstanding partnership and provides our teams with additional resources to expand upon their great work."