Specialized resource Pocketgamer.biz he told readers which deals of 2012 his editors consider the most significant for the mobile games business.
10. Investment firms have invested heavily in companies providing b2b services: mobile analytics platforms, monetization, advertising, etc. In fact, we are talking about investing in the future success of the ecosystem of mobile applications and, in particular, games.
Recall some investments. So Flurry received $25 million, SessionM – $20 million, Fiksu – $10 million, MoPub – $12 million, Kiip – 11 million, MoMinis – $8.5 million.
9. Glu acquired Gamespy for $2.8 millionOne of the most unexpected deals of the year was the acquisition by Glu of the long-known GameSpy in the Internet world for $2.8 million.
Indeed, at one time this service was very significant in computer and console gaming – in 2004 IGN paid $54.6 million for it. According to Glu management, the main thing for them is the database and server infrastructure that the company received after the transaction.
8. The NaturalMotion company, having received $11 million of investments and earned $12 million in a month, acquired the Boss Alien studioThe British company Natural Motion received an investment of $11 million from Benchmark Capital at the end of June.
A week after that, she released the CSR Racing game, which earned $12 million in a month on IAP. And soon (in mid-August) it was reported that NaturalMotion acquired the Boss Alien team that created CSR Racing. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed.
7. Sony acquired Gaikai for $380 millionThe Gaikai company, which was founded and headed by an industry veteran, the “father” of the legendary Worm Jim, David Perry, developed a game streaming service of the same name.
In July, it was reported that it was acquired by the Japanese electronics giant Sony for $ 380 million. So far, it is difficult to judge how this deal will affect the development of the mobile games market, but it is likely that Sony will take advantage of Gaikai’s achievements not only in the console, but also in the mobile sphere.
6. The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm for $4.05 billionThe most “expensive” deal of all listed in this review.
Although it may seem that all the IP owned by Lucas’s company, the “factory” of special effects Industrial Light and Magic, the LucasArts gaming division and other assets could be worth more. Recall that the priority direction of LucasArts has now become mobile games.
5. DeNA spent $92 million to acquire a 20% stake in CygamesDeveloped by Cygames studio, the Rage of Bahamuth mobile card battler became a big hit in the USA and brought a good profit.
Therefore, DeNA decided to invest in its developers and acquired 20% of Cygames shares for $92 million.
4. GREE paid $170 million in cash for the acquisition of the Japanese publisher PokelaboThis year, not only DeNA was engaged in acquisitions, but also another Japanese giant of the social and mobile games market, GREE.
The company bought the Tokyo-based Pokelabo company, founded in 2007, for $170 million. Among the projects of the latter we will mention the role-playing game Clan Battle of Fate and the card battler Mystic Monsters.
3. GREE acquired the American developer and publisher of hardcore social games Funzio for $ 210 millionHowever, GREE’s biggest deal last year turned out to be the acquisition of the American company Funzio.
The price of the issue is $210 million. Funzio has become an important trump card of GREE in the struggle to conquer the fast–growing segment of hard and midcore mobile games.
2. Zynga acquired OMGPOP for $180 millionIn March of the outgoing year, one of the “hottest” social and mobile novelties was the game Draw Something.
It has been downloaded over 30 million times in five weeks. At that time, Zynga was experiencing a steady decline in the stock price. She needed a hit. She had money. And the deal to acquire OMGPOP, which developed Draw Something, took place. However, in the end, it turned into losses for Zynga.
1. Nexon acquired gloops studio for $470 million The Korean company Nexon, specializing in online f2p games, acquired the Japanese studio gloops for $470 million, which develops mobile games for the Mobage platform owned by DeNA.
Among her projects are Japan Pro Baseball Card Battle, Warriors of Odin and Three Kingdoms Guild Battle. Note that around the same time, a strategic alliance between Nexon and DeNa was announced.