Aquiblizz
UK Competitions & Markets Authority rumoured to block Activision Blizzard acquisition
According to sources, Microsoft are actively anticipating a possible block on the Activision-Blizzard acquisition by the UK CMA
Acquivision Blizzard
EU issues Microsoft with antitrust warning
The commission is the latest to take formal steps against the tech giant’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Raiding The Small Screen
Amazon have reportedly purchased Tomb Raider from Embracer Group for $600 million
The company announced a television adaptation earlier this week, but they could have much larger plans for the iconic franchise
Views Week
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team on big buy outs, fallouts and even bigger apologies
Mergers & Acquisitions
Playtika offers $737.5m to acquire Angry Birds developer Rovio
Israeli-based Playtika have sweetened their offer to acquire Rovio, as the latter remains reliant on their flagship franchise
Drake Star Review
Who were 2022's most strategic gaming investors?
Drake Star breaks down last year’s top gaming acquisitions. Who spent the smartest money in 2022? Find out here
2023 Predictions
Drake Star releases its predictions for 2023 in gaming
Look ahead to a year of consolidation and diversification
Acquivision Blizzard
Google and Nvidia chime in on Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The companies have expressed their concerns in the deal
Acquivision Blizzard
Microsoft and Activision Blizzard predicted to miss contractual merger deadline
The FTC hearing for the case is scheduled for after the deal is due to close
Qyou Acquisition
QYOU Media acquires 51% of Maxamtech Digital Ventures, sets sights on remaining 49%
The majority stake has been acquired for an undisclosed amount
Trouble For Ubisoft
Ubisoft for sale? The games giant is rumoured to be actively pursuing acquisition
Despite massive success in the past, Ubisoft has had a turbulent year
New Acquisition
NetEase acquires Halo Infinite co-developer Skybox Labs
NetEase is continuing its expansion beyond mobile platforms
Acquivision Blizzard
CMA extends the deadline for Microsoft / Activision-Blizzard investigation
The group requires more time to decide if the UK should approve the deal
Aiming For Acquisition Approval
The list of nations approving Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition grows
Among the approving nations are Brazil, Serbia and Chile
Ftc Vs Microsoft
Are the FTC and Microsoft talks at a standstill?
The FTC have sued to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, but no “substantive” settlement talks are underway
2022 Highlights
BIG Stories of 2022 - Unity, ironSource, Applovin' and mobile's biggest merger
AppLovin’s attempt the scupper a planned acquisition turned it into one of 2022's biggest mobile news stories
2022 Highlights
BIG Stories of 2022 - How the massive Microsoft/Activision-Blizzard gaming acquisition came under fire
The acquisition may have been largely due to Activision Blizzard’s mobile offerings, but one franchise in particular prompted Sony to intervene
Acquivision Blizzard
Microsoft hits back at FTC's Activision-Blizzard block
Microsoft has called the lawsuit filed by the FTC attempting to block their Activision-Blizzard takeover 'unconstitutional'
Stakes And Shares
Tencent becomes second-biggest shareholder in South Korean studio Shift Up
20 percent stake in Goddess of Victory: Nikke co-creator acquired
Actively Acquiring
Moon Active to acquire Zen Match from Good Job Games
The associated Istanbul-based team will also be joining
Acquiblizz
Phil Spencer on the mobile potential of the Activision-Blizzard acquisition
Spencer explained the move in more detail in an interview with the Second Request Podcast.
Keywords Acquires
Keywords acquires Labcom with initial $1 million cash consideration
Keywords' expansion continues following new Australian studios and Helpshift acquistion
Aims Of An Acquisition
RuneScape creator Jagex acquires Croatian studio Gamepires
Acquisition aiming to enable open-world game Scum to be prepared for a 1.0 release
Acquivision Blizzard
FTC vote to sue to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The Acquisition has faced criticism for its possible effect on competitor PlayStation
New Acquisition
Keywords Studios to acquire Californian company Helpshift for $75 million
The company aims to become a market leader for in-app customer service solutions
Aquivision Blizzard
FTC rift signals fresh hope for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard in America
The board is expected to make its recommendations regarding the deal by mid-December
Acquisitions
Zynga subsidiary Rollic acquires hypercasual games studio Popcore
The Turkish studio Rollic has closed the acquisition of Berlin-based Popcore games
Acquisitions
Krafton to acquire The Ascent developer Neon Giant
Krafton’s financials reveal that the company is set to acquire developer Neon Giant, responsible for their debut game “The Ascent”
Acquisitions
Matchingham Games acquires two IPs from Pow Games in $11.7m deal
UK-based Matchingham have reportedly cut a deal with Pow Games to acquire Food Match 3D and Tile Match: Home Design Puzzle from the Turkish-based developer
Acquivision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick on the future of the Microsoft Acquisition
“Being a part of Microsoft will help us better realise our ambitions”
A Call Of Duty To Competitors?
Is Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in trouble?
The biggest deal in gaming history has faced steep criticism from regulators and competitors
Two Become One
Unity and ironSource finalise the merger, despite early attempts by AppLovin to scupper the deal
The merger was first announced in July
Studio Closure
Embracer Group shutters the newly acquired Studio Onoma
The studio, formerly Square Enix Montreal, was acquired earlier this year
Deal Closed
Room 8 Group closes acquisition of Brazil-based creative studio PUGA Studios
The acquisition was first announced in April as part of the company’s goal to enhance its global presence
New Acquisition
Netflix expands gaming arm with addition of indie studio Spry Fox
The Seattle-based developer is the sixth under the Netflix Umbrella
Drake Star Report
Drake Star: Quarter 3 of 2022 saw 81 new mergers and acquisitions totalling billions of dollars
Over 300 deals were made from July to September, Embracer Group led the pack with eight acquisitions
Drake Star Report
2022 has seen 976 deals, with Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard topping the charts
Drake Star analyses the gaming markets in its Global Gaming Industry Report
Microsoft X Activision Blizzard
The storm blows on - CMA still intent on investigating Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The UK regulator doubled down on plans to scrutinise the planned acquisition before approval
Guest Post
Portfolio diversification and publishing - ZiMAD on the varied paths to success in mobile gaming
Magic Jigsaw Puzzle developer ZiMAD discusses how to assess risk, value a game, and make smart decisions.
Acquisition
Playstudios acquires mobile game developer Brainium
The deal consists of $70 million in upfront cash
Microsoft X Activision Blizzard
Take-Two CEO positive about Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Acquisition
Strauss Zelnick believes the deal will enrich the gaming industry
Activision Blizzard Acquisition
Strength of Mobile division key to Activision Blizzard Acquisition
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer identified the company’s strength on mobile platforms as a prime reason for the acquisition
Microsoft Merger
Microsoft launch pro-merger website for Activision Blizzard bid
The merger is being challenged by competitor Sony
Microsoft Activision Deal
EU antitrust regulators set a date regarding Microsoft's acquisition of Activision
The investigation will conclude in November but if concerns are raised an extended phase could begin
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia eyes up acquisition of major publisher
The acquisition is part of a $38.7 billion games strategy
Microsoft And Activision
Microsoft CEO confident about the Activision Blizzard Acquisition
“We feel very, very confident that we’ll come out.”
Aiming To Acquire
Keywords Studios announces conditional acquisition of Smoking Gun
Founders of Canadian studio to continue managing the company
Acquisition Achieved
Voodoo acquires Tarboosh Games after partnering on past projects
Value of the acquisition has not been disclosed
Racing To Success
Animoca Brands begins acquisition proceedings of WePlay Media
The intended acquisition is largely due to the success of the MotoGP™ brand
Battle Of The Brands
AppLovin decides against another Unity acquisition bid
The company will focus on enhancing its existing services