Hot Five

The PG.biz Hot Five: Glu buy studios, then waves goodbye to execs, plus Storm 8 rebuffs Zynga interest with $1 billion valuation

Last week's top five stories

The PG.biz Hot Five: Glu buy studios, then waves goodbye to execs, plus Storm 8 rebuffs Zynga interest with $1 billion valuation
Welcome to PocketGamer.biz's weekly rundown of the stories clocking up the hits, picking up the click-throughs and generally keeping the advertisers happy by serving up page views.

Or, if you'd prefer, the top five stories currently dominating our readers' attention.

Each week, we'll be counting down the biggest news from the previous seven days, giving just a glimpse of the industry's big issues, from five to one.



Google, Unity, Glu, Rovio and PopCap throw their weight behind new, indie-focused Pax Dev eventBuilding on its consumer-focused event Pax Prime - due to take place in Seattle between August 26 and 28 - organisers unveiled an additional two days for this year's extravaganza, this time aimed at indie developers.

Pax Dev will take place at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel on 24 and 25 August, with tickets coming in at $329. No journalists will feature, though the conference will sport speakers from the likes of Rovio, Google, PopCap, Trendy Entertainment, Unity and Glu.
Click here to read more.



Glu Mobile thinks big: doubles internal development talent acquiring Griptonite and BlammoAs latter entries in the chart depict, Glu had quite a week last week, with company wide restructuring the big issue.

Before such ruminations came to light, however, the company announced the acquisition of two studios as part of its Q2 2011 financials: Toronto-based Blammo Games, and former Foundation 9 outfit Griptonite Games.

"We are very excited to have completed the acquisitions of two new studios - Griptonite and Blammo - which will both add significant scale to our product portfolio in 2012," said Glu CEO Niccolo de Masi.

"The integration of these acquisitions will approximately double our internal studio capacity as well as add proven, casual, freemium DNA to our team."
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Rumours suggest Storm8's first funding round will value it at $1 billionFast become one of the major forces in mobile social gaming, rumours broke last week suggesting Storm 8's first funding round could come in at $300 million or more.

More interestingly, however, was the assertion that said funding round would be coupled with a company valuation in excess of $1 billion.

TechCrunch claims such a high price put off Zynga, which was reportedly planning to buy the company outright. Instead, cash will be stumped up from VC firms Accel Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures.
Click here to read more.



Glu goes Google as Gun Bros hits Chrome Web StoreLike the firm's acquisitions of Blammo Games and Griptonite Games, Glu's second stab at our top five also detailed an expansion of sorts.

The publisher announced it would be taking key titles in its library to Google's Chrome Web Store, starting with Gun Bros.

"Google Chrome offers another powerful platform for Glu to bring great social gaming experiences to global audiences," said CEO Niccolo de Masi.

Three other social games from Glu will hit the marketplace before the year is out.
Click here to read more.Glu Mobile restructures, top execs laid offBut the top news of the week was somewhat less positive: the surprise suggestion that Glu had laid off both top and mid management staff at the publisher's San Francisco office, despite the release of healthy financial numbers just days before.



Most startling was the claim gPartners head and former IUGO business development director Sarah Thomson was one to lose her post, despite having only joined Glu at the start of July.

"We do not comment directly on personnel matters. Our focus is on the future of Social Mobile gaming and we are poised to continue delivering high-quality and innovative games,” the publisher said in response.

"This focus combined with recent acquisitions and strong development partnerships will drive continued growth."
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Until next week, Pocket Gamer pickers.
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With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.