Mergers and Acquisitions
Ongoing coverage on Mergers and Acquisitions.
Latest coverage
Good Games Group acquires Humble Games, rebranded to Balor Games
Good Games Group, a company founded by former Humble Games employees in 2024, has acquired Humble Games. Following the acquisition, the company has been rebranded to Balor Games.
Trump Administration targets Tencent’s gaming dominance in security probe, according to reports
Reports indicate the Trump Administration is investigating Tencent's significant ownership of gaming companies as a potential security risk. This probe, focusing on Tencent's dominance and its ownership of entities like Riot Games and stakes in Epic Games, stems from concerns over kernel-level anti-cheat software and data security.
Report: US government may compel Tencent to divest gaming investments
The US government, under the Trump administration, is reportedly considering forcing Tencent to divest its gaming investments due to national security and data privacy concerns. Investigations initiated under the Biden administration have raised questions about Tencent's access to data from millions of American players through its stakes in companies like Epic Games and Riot Games.
Paramount makes no reference to game studios in first WB call to investors
Paramount held its first investor call following its acquisition of Warner Bros., but did not mention the gaming divisions of either company. Executives focused on consolidating assets and the impact on the entertainment industry, despite discussions of intellectual property that overlaps with Warner Bros. Games' core franchises. Warner Bros. Games recently announced a refocus on four key franchises: Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC.
Business and Finance
FCC chair commented that the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is significantly less complex than a previously defunct Netflix deal. Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly focused on rebuilding its video game division for 2025.
Downdetector and Speedtest have been sold for over $1 billion
Ziff Davis has sold its Connectivity division, which includes Speedtest and Downdetector, to Accenture for $1.2 billion. This sale allows Ziff Davis to focus on its core brands like IGN and Mashable, while Accenture aims to enhance its network intelligence services with the acquired assets.
Blink and you'll miss it: Paramount almost acknowledges the existence of Warner Bros. Games
Paramount Skydance's potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes Warner Bros. Games, is moving forward after Netflix withdrew from the bidding war. The deal is expected to close in Q3 2026, though Paramount's executive team has largely overlooked the gaming division, mentioning it only briefly as part of "cutting-edge gaming and interactive content capabilities." CEO David Ellison stated that no divestitures of non-core assets are currently planned.
Charlie Brown now works for Sony
Sony Music Entertainment Japan and Sony Pictures Entertainment have finalized their acquisition of 80 percent of the Peanuts franchise for $460 million. This deal consolidates the beloved comic strip universe, created by Charles M. Schulz, as a subsidiary of Sony, with the remaining 41 percent acquired from WildBrain.
A Year-By-Year Breakdown Of Phil Spencer's Mixed Legacy As Xbox Boss
This analysis breaks down Phil Spencer's tenure as Xbox boss from 2014 to 2026, highlighting both successes like backward compatibility and the launch of Xbox Game Pass, and failures such as studio closures, game cancellations, and price hikes. The article details major events year-by-year, concluding with Spencer's retirement and the challenges facing Xbox under new leadership.
The Game Awards 2025 - All Winners and Announcements - NintendoFuse
The Game Awards 2025, hosted by Geoff Keighley, celebrated the best of video games with numerous awards and announcements. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was a major winner, taking home Game of the Year and several other accolades. The event also featured trailers and reveals for upcoming titles like Grand Theft Auto VI, Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred, and Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic.
Netflix boss says Paramount acquisition of Warner Bros will result in "cuts in excess of $16 billion" within "18 months or so"
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandon stated that Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. will lead to significant cost-cutting exceeding $16 billion within approximately 18 months. This suggests that Warner Bros. Games studios, including TT Games and Rocksteady, will face scrutiny for cost-saving measures. Netflix withdrew its bid for Warner Bros. after Paramount increased its offer, securing a substantial breakup fee.
Paramount Could Own All These Warner Bros. Game Studios Soon
Paramount is reportedly in talks to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's gaming assets, potentially gaining control of major studios like Avalanche Software, NetherRealm Studios, and Rocksteady Studios. This move could significantly expand Paramount's presence in the video game industry, which it has already touched upon with the upcoming Call of Duty movie.
The Warner Bros. acquisition: a timeline of events so far
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has been the subject of a bidding war between Paramount Skydance (PSKY) and Netflix, with PSKY ultimately acquiring the company for $31 per share in an all-cash deal. The acquisition process involved multiple revised offers, legal challenges, and negotiations, with WBD's board eventually deeming PSKY's proposal superior to Netflix's. The deal includes WBD's film studio, streaming businesses, and games division, but excludes its Global Networks.
It looks like Netflix won't be acquiring Warner Bros. Games after all
Netflix has declined to revise its acquisition offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, stating the deal is no longer financially attractive at the price required to match Paramount Skydance's superior proposal. The potential merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery still requires regulatory approval, leaving the future of Warner Bros. Games uncertain amidst recent studio closures and restructuring.
Netflix's $82.7 billion deal to buy Warner has been dramatically gazumped by Paramount, to the tune of $111 billion
Paramount Skydance has submitted a $111 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, significantly outbidding Netflix's previous $82.7 billion proposal. The deal, which includes Warner's gaming studios like Rocksteady and Avalanche, is facing regulatory scrutiny. The impact on Warner's gaming division remains uncertain.
Netflix backs out of Warner Bros deal, declines to match Paramount Skydance's raised offer
Netflix has withdrawn its offer to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, declining to match Paramount Skydance's increased offer of $31 per share. Netflix stated that the price required was no longer financially attractive, emphasizing that the deal was a 'nice to have' rather than a 'must have'. Paramount will pay WBD the termination fee owed to Netflix.
Games Inbox: Is Resident Evil Requiem worth getting?
Readers discuss the merits of Resident Evil Requiem, with some hoping it recaptures the spirit of earlier titles like Resident Evil 4. Other topics include speculation about a new Pokémon announcement, Sony's strategy regarding PC exclusives, and the financial implications of Paramount's potential acquisition of Warner Bros. gaming assets.
Splash Damage acquires Scum developer Gamepires from Jagex
UK co-development studio Splash Damage has acquired Croatian developer Gamepires, the studio behind the open-world survival title Scum, from Jagex. The deal, backed by Emona Capital, merges the two entities into Splash Damage Group, which will operate independently. The new group plans to focus on premium development, co-development partnerships, scaling the Scum franchise, and investing in new intellectual property.
Splash Damage acquires Scum dev Gamepires from Jagex
Splash Damage has acquired Scum developer Gamepires from Jagex, with financial backing from Emona Capital. The combined entity will leverage Splash Damage's shooter expertise and Gamepires' survival game strengths to expand the Scum franchise and develop new intellectual property. Ben Hopkinson, formerly CFO of Splash Damage, will lead the new company as CEO.
Why Do Game Console Prices Keep Going Up?
The ongoing global chip shortage, exacerbated by the massive demand for AI data centers, is driving up prices for gaming consoles and PC components. This situation is leading to longer console generations, potential consolidation in the PC building market, and a shift towards cloud gaming as a more accessible option for consumers. While the shortage presents challenges, it could also lead to developers focusing more on optimizing games for existing hardware, potentially resulting in better-designed and more accessible gaming experiences in the long run.
