Acquisition
Playtika acquires Azerion's Youda Games portfolio for upwards of $89.1 million
Azerion is selling the portfolio as part of its business refocus with an earnout agreement potentially pushing the price even higher
Tencent Acquisition
Tencent acquires visual novel company Visual Arts
The move follows the company’s acquisition of Techland earlier this week
Stocks
EA and other video game stocks see big boost as M&A fever creeps in
Shares are trading ‘in sympathy’ with Microsoft and ABK as the AquiBlizz saga looks set to close
Acuiblizz
FTC to appeal against the judge’s decision in Microsoft case
A San Francisco judge denied the regulatory body’s preliminary injunction against Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Scopely Acquisition
Savvy Games Group closes acquisition of Scopely
The acquisition highlights mobile’s place in Saudi Arabia’s games strategy
Competition Authority
South African authorities unconditionally approve Activision Blizzard acquisition
Another win for Microsoft despite home-grown struggles
Sonic Speculations
Microsoft acquiring Sega? Rumours get extinguished by COO Shuji Utsumi
The Federal Trade Commission’s suit against Microsoft reveals notions of acquiring Sega… Which went precisely nowhere
Documentation
Zynga, Playrix and Niantic were all potential entries on Microsoft’s shopping list
News comes as part of the revelation Microsoft considered buying Sega
Acquiblizz
A US judge has blocked Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Despite being approved around the world, the biggest acquisition in gaming history still faces significant hurdles
Deal Disruption
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard sued by FTC
The Federal Trade Commission aims to block the acquisition sooner rather than later
Exclusive Interview
Zynga’s Yaron Leyvand talks Take-Two, the games industry, and their secrets for success
We catch up with Zynga's executive vice president of mobile games, one year on from Take-Two’s acquisition
Teaming Up
Activision Blizzard piles in to support Microsoft’s CMA appeal
UK regulator to face Microsoft and Activision Blizzard together in cloud gaming appeal
Hypercasual Acquisition
AI Games FZ acquires Good Job Games’ hypercasual portfolio
Good Job Games has a successful track record in user acquisition
Acquiblizz
Microsoft and the UK's CMA begin their appeal tribunal on July 24
Microsoft hopes to change the CMA’s mind regarding its acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Aquiblizz
South Korean regulators approve Activision Blizzard deal
The approval puts further pressure on the UK CMA
China Chimes In
China approves Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition
Yet another approval counter to the UK’s decision
Acquiblizz
“It’s really important that we own this decision." The EU responds to the UK CMA’s Microsoft merger comments
The EU commission cements its stance on the Activision Blizzard takeover following the UK CMA's mixed messages yesterday
Acquiblizz
Could Microsoft pull off a 'Mexit' and quit the UK after Aquiblizz blocks?
It's not impossible. Microsoft could pull prohibited games out of the UK to close the Activision Blizzard deal. But what would that mean and how likely is it to happen?
Acquisition
Pixel United owners Aristocrat Leisure to acquire NeoGames
Pixel United are the company behind Product Madness, Plarium and Big Fish
Acquiblizz
Electronic Arts boss Andrew Wilson claims Microsoft/Activision Blizzard deal is immaterial to them
EA remains Microsoft's "biggest partner and number one publisher on their platform"
Acquiblizz
The CMA responds to the European Commission’s approval of the Microsoft/Activision Blizzard Deal
The group took to Twitter to reaffirm its position regarding the acquisition
Acquiblizz
Approved: The EU gives Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard the go ahead
The EU’s decision puts it at odds with the UK and USA
New Acquisition
Keywords Studios acquires Hardsuit Labs
The acquisition broadens the company’s suite of developers
Acquiblizz
Microsoft prepares to appeal against the CMA’s Activision Blizzard ruling
The UK group blocked the biggest acquisition in gaming history last month
A Yes From Ukraine
Ukraine grants approval of Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition
Ukraine is less concerned about cloud gaming than the European Commission
Acquiblizz
Is the biggest deal in gaming history dead and what happens next?
With the UK's CMA blocking Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, where does that leave the deal and the rest of the industry?
Acquiblizz
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority blocks the Microsoft Activision Blizzard deal
Microsoft was unable to address the CMA’s concerns regarding how the deal would affect competitors in the cloud gaming space
Week That Was
Week in Views - What caught our eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pick of this weeks big news and discuss the big Rovio buyout, big-ups and back-slapping and Epic moves…
Acquisition
Aquiris to become Epic Games Brasil
The studio had an existing publishing deal with Epic for their mobile title Horizon Chase
Acquisition
Sega + Rovio: How did we get here?
Now that Sega is acquiring the Angry Birds developer, we retread the steps both parties took towards the big deal
Savvy X Scopely
Savvy Games Group acquires Scopely for $4.9 billion
The group has made numerous acquisitions as part of its long term gaming strategy
Devolver X Doinksoft
Devolver Digital acquires indie game developer Doinksoft
Will join Devolver’s catalogue of studios and indie game developers
Acquiblizz
Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal inches closer as the UK's CMA flips its decision
The authority has backtracked on its previous findings and is satisfied that the deal WON'T affect console competitors. But cloud gaming remains an issue
Acquiblizz
This week in the Microsoft x Activision Blizzard deal
All the latest in one place as the EU and CMA flip-flop opinions and a conclusion draws nearer
Take-two Hearts Gameclub
Take-Two Interactive has acquired mobile retro-games subs service GameClub
The publishing giant has acquired the subscription-based start-up for an as yet undisclosed sum and purpose
Microsoft Merger
EU delays decision on Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Relax. The $69 billion acquisition decision has been pushed back to May 22
Acquivision Blizzard
Microsoft, Activision, and Sony: The story so far
As the deal inches towards a conclusion Microsoft still face opposition in both the mobile and console spaces
Acquivision Blizzard
Microsoft may be winning the Activision war
A new decision by the FTC shows the tides may be turning in the tech giant’s favour
Sony Acquisition
Sony reportedly eyeing up acquisition of Take-Two Interactive
The tech giant could be preparing to unleash the latest volley in its arms race with Microsoft
Acquivision Blizzard
EU unlikely to demand asset dump in Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard battle
The deal has come under scrutiny from regulators worldwide
Phil Spencer Interview
Xbox's Phil Spencer talks Microsoft's moves on mobile, plus Activision Blizzard and AI
“What we realised, and it’s painfully obvious, is that we don’t really have any capability on mobile”
New Acquisition
The Sandbox expands to Germany with acquisition of developer Sviper
Sviper will bring their expertise in development and engineering to the platform
Quantic Dream Come True
NetEase reportedly paid $106 million for Quantic Dream
Last year’s acquisition highlights the company’s commitment to growth
Acquisition
Thunderful acquires Studio Fizbin
The studio, known for their title “Say No! More” has been bought by Headup
Acquivision Blizzard
Microsoft signs deals with Nvidia for Call of Duty on GeForce Now
The company announced the deal at a press briefing to discuss its acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Aquiblizz
Microsoft signs ten-year deal with Nintendo for Call of Duty
The agreement, announced by Microsoft's Brad Smith, will see the company commit to providing the game on Nintendo’s platforms
Acquisitions Abound
Paul Wedgwood’s Supernova Capital acquires Mi-Clos Studio and Little Red Dog Games
Ownership of IPs like Out There and Rogue State included
A Blizzard Of Accusations
Bobby Kotick, Microsoft, and Sony clash over Activision Blizzard acquisition
Activision Blizzard CEO Kotick is accusing Sony of sabotaging the Microsoft deal, while Sony is accusing Microsoft of harassment
Drake Star Report
The top ten gaming industry deals of 2022
We break down the biggest acquisitions of 2022, as reported by Drake Star
New Acquisition
Original Games acquires Mergedom from Bigger Games
The Merge Inn maker is looking to consolidate its place in the market