Mergers and Acquisitions
Ongoing coverage on Mergers and Acquisitions.
Latest coverage
Crossy Road developer Hipster Whale acquired by Atari
Atari has acquired Australian mobile game developer Hipster Whale, known for the hit title Crossy Road, for nearly $30 million. This move aims to significantly expand Atari's presence in the mobile gaming market by leveraging Hipster Whale's expertise. The acquisition is a key part of Atari's growth strategy, as stated by Chairman and CEO Wade Rosen.
7 Days to Die developer The Fun Pimps was bought up by Behaviour Interactive
Behaviour Interactive has acquired The Fun Pimps, the developer behind the zombie survival sandbox game 7 Days to Die. The Fun Pimps will retain its team and vision, with Behaviour's support expected to accelerate future updates and allow for team growth. The game has sold over 20 million copies since its initial concept in 2012.
Owner of Fandom and GameSpot looking to buy Playstack, the publisher of Balatro
VantageCo, a subsidiary of Integrated Media Company which owns Fandom and GameSpot, is looking to acquire an 84.5% stake in the publisher Playstack for £112.4 million. Playstack, known for publishing the award-winning game Balatro, is valued at £125 million. The deal is subject to shareholder approval, but Playstack's owner TruFin's board is recommending shareholders vote in favor.
Balatro publisher Playstack to be sold to GameSpot parent company for around $151 million
TruFin, the parent company of Balatro publisher Playstack, is selling its 84.5% stake in Playstack to VantageCo. VantageCo is a subsidiary of Integrated Media Company, the owner of GameSpot, for approximately $151 million.
Balatro publisher Playstack could soon belong to the same private equity firm that owns Fandom and GameSpot
Playstack, the publisher behind acclaimed indie titles like Balatro, is set to be acquired by Integrated Media Company, a subsidiary of private equity firm TPG. This move would place Playstack under the same ownership umbrella as Fandom and GameSpot. Despite Playstack's reported success, its current owner, TruFin, is encouraging shareholders to approve the approximately $151 million sale, citing capital allocation strategy.
MMO Business Roundup: Steam Deck’s price hike, Microsoft’s ActiBlizz settlement, and Rockstar UK’s union
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including Valve's Steam Deck OLED experiencing significant price hikes. Microsoft has settled a $250 million class-action lawsuit related to its Activision Blizzard acquisition. Additionally, developers at Rockstar Games have officially formed a union, the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), and plan legal action over alleged union-busting.
Fandom and GameSpot owner set to buy Balatro publisher Playstack
Integrated Media Company (IMC), owner of Fandom and Gamespot, has conditionally agreed to purchase Playstack, the publisher behind games like Balatro, from its current owner TruFin for approximately £112.4 million. Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott stated that the change in ownership will not alter the company's strategy or commitment to publishing indie games. TruFin CEO James van den Bergh expressed confidence that IMC is an excellent platform for Playstack's future success.
The owners of Fandom and Gamespot want to acquire Balatro publisher Playstack
Integrated Media Company, owner of Fandom and Gamespot, is set to acquire Balatro publisher Playstack for £112.4 million through its subsidiary VantageCo Limited. The deal, announced by Playstack owner TruFin, is pending shareholder approval. Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott stated that the company's strategy and team will remain unchanged.
Balatro Publisher Playstack Is Being Sold to the Parent Company of GameSpot and Fandom
Playstack, the publisher of the hit game Balatro, is being sold to Integrated Media Company (IMC), which also owns Fandom and GameSpot. TruFin, Playstack's majority owner, announced the sale for approximately £112.4 million, with the deal valuing the company at around £125 million pending shareholder approval. Playstack's CEO stated that operations will continue as usual, with no change to the company's strategy or commitment to publishing indie games.
Balatro publisher Playstack sold to GameSpot and Fandom parent company
Playstack, the publisher behind games like Balatro and Abiotic Factor, is being sold to Integrated Media Company (IMC), the parent company of GameSpot and Fandom. The deal, announced by Playstack's current owner TruFin, values Playstack at approximately £125 million ($169 million). IMC is an investment group focused on entertainment brands.
Subnautica 2’s Success Will Reportedly Force Krafton to Pay $250 Million Bonus
Krafton is reportedly set to pay Unknown Worlds a $250 million bonus due to the successful Early Access launch of Subnautica 2, fulfilling an agreement from Krafton's 2021 acquisition of the studio. The bonus was part of a performance-based deal that led to legal disputes between the companies over leadership and alleged attempts by Krafton's CEO to avoid payment. The lawsuit has since been settled, and Subnautica 2 is available in Early Access on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
"Right now, we support crossplay between Switch 2 and the rest of the platforms": Modern Warfare 4 ends the…
Modern Warfare 4 is confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2, with Infinity Ward developing the title alongside Digital Legends. The game will feature crossplay support between the Switch 2 and other platforms like PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. This marks the return of Call of Duty to Nintendo hardware after a decade, facilitated by a 10-year agreement ensuring content parity following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Alpha Compute Acquires GAMEE from Animoca for $5 Million
Animoca Brands has sold a 60% stake in its gaming platform GAMEE to Alpha Compute for $18 million, with an initial payment of $3.5 million and potential earn-outs up to $7.5 million. Alpha Compute, specializing in AI GPU services, plans to integrate GAMEE as its primary gaming interface and explore AI agent functionalities.
Microsoft Reaches $250 Million Settlement in Lawsuit With Activision Blizzard Shareholders
Microsoft has settled a shareholder lawsuit related to its acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $250 million. The lawsuit, led by the Sjunde-AP-Fonden fund, accused former Activision Blizzard executives, including CEO Bobby Kotick, of breaching fiduciary duties by agreeing to the acquisition price. Both Microsoft and Kotick deny the allegations, with the settlement aimed at avoiding litigation distractions. The acquisition was finalized in October 2023, bringing Activision Blizzard into the Xbox family.
Microsoft to pay $250M to settle lawsuit filed by aggrieved Activision Blizzard shareholders
Microsoft has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden (AP7) concerning its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The lawsuit alleged that former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick rushed the sale to avoid consequences of sexual harassment allegations. Microsoft stated it is settling to avoid litigation burdens and does not substantiate the claims of systemic misconduct.
Microsoft agrees to pay $250m to settle lawsuit over Activision Blizzard deal
Microsoft has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class action lawsuit filed by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden AP7, which alleged that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick rushed the sale to Microsoft. The lawsuit claimed shareholders were deprived of a better stock price, though Microsoft and Kotick denied the allegations. The settlement, pending court approval, will be funded 40% by Microsoft and 60% by directors' and officers' liability insurance.
Former Activision Blizzard CEO claims Swedish pension fund’s lawsuit against Microsoft-Activision merger was a ploy to strengthen Embracer
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick alleges that a lawsuit filed by a Swedish pension fund against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard was a tactic to benefit Embracer Group. The lawsuit reportedly aimed to strengthen Embracer's position during the merger process.
Former CEO Bobby Kotick claims lawsuit against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision was only filed to help Embracer
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick claims a lawsuit filed by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard was intended to benefit Embracer Group. Kotick alleges the lawsuit aimed to hinder Activision's growth and talent acquisition in California. Embracer Group has denied these claims.
Microsoft (MSFT) to pay out $250 million settlement in Activision Blizzard Swedish pension lawsuit
Microsoft will pay a $250 million settlement in a Swedish pension lawsuit concerning the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The lawsuit alleged that former CEO Bobby Kotick expedited the sale to secure personal benefits and retain his position.
Evening Legal Briefs
Microsoft has finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard after a four-year regulatory process. Separately, law enforcement announced a successful hack of a VPN service used by criminals, highlighting vulnerabilities in perceived online safety.