The British Jagex, known by MMO RuneScape, became part of the young Zhongji Holding, owned by Shanghai Zhongji Enterprise Group, which also owns the Shandong Hongda Mining company.
The first rumors concerning the acquisition of Jagex by Chinese investors began in March. The Financial Times reported on the sale of the Shandong Hongda Mining company for $300 million. The rumors were only partially confirmed. At that time, the deal was only being discussed.
In July, the fact of the sale was officially confirmed, but Shanghai Hongtou Network Technology acted as the buyer, and the amount that was invested in the British was not named. At the same time, it was announced that the deal was the first step to create a new gaming company whose games would be owned by the Chinese. A new board of directors was formed at Jagex, but the studio’s 320-person management team remained.
Yesterday, on September 28, it became known that the new Chinese gaming company, of which Jagex has become a key part, is called Zhongji Holding. She went public this week and acquired 51% of Shanghai Hongtou Network Technology shares (she plans to acquire the remaining 49% in the next 12 months).
Zhongji Holding belongs to Shanghai Zhongji Enterprise Group, which also owns Shandong Hongda Mining, with which Jagex was engaged in negotiations last spring.
Despite plans to launch a new office in London and integration into Zhongji Holding, Jagex representatives deny that this will somehow affect the company’s activities.
Last year, Jagex earned $88.4 million, the company’s profit after taxes was $36.1 million. The user base of the company’s main project – RuneScape – is 200 million people.
Sources: Willkie, Develop, Massivelyop, MCV, Financial Times, GamesIndustry
You will be able to learn about the latest trends in the gaming industry first-hand, personally meet and discuss working issues with leading companies in the game development and publishing market at White Nights Moscow 2016, which will be held on October 11-12.