Weekly News Digest #23

Hi all,

The last few weeks have been quite modest in terms of the investment and M&A activity, which is why it’s been quite a while since we featured a proper analysis. As always, you can learn about the deals of the previous week in the “Notable Transactions” section below.

We want to thank MGVC and The Games Fund for supporting this digest.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

South Korean mobile games developer WeMade Play has acquired a 20% stake in South Korea-based casual mobile games developer StandEgg. The sum of the deal remained undisclosed. The main purpose of the deal is to create a title based on the popular Anipang IP, a social network match 3 puzzle. WeMade Play plans to further expand its list of titles and collaborate with other gaming studios engaged in creating Anipang IPs.

VENTURE FINANCING

US-based Web3 gaming platform HyperPlay has raised $12m in a Series A funding round, co-led by Griffin Gaming Partners and BITKRAFT Ventures. ConsenSys, Ethereal Ventures, Delphi, Game7, Mirana Ventures, Monoceros Ventures also participated in the round. HyperPlay is a cross-chain gaming aggregator that allows its users to collect all their blockchain wallets, NFTs, and game achievements in one place. Apart from that, the platform positions itself as a game launcher that works with every game store. The funding will go to further strengthening the platform and expanding globally.

US-based blockchain-based game engine developer Argus has raised $10m in a Seed funding round. The round was led by Haun Ventures, with participation from Robot Ventures, Anagram, Dispersion Capital, Alchemy, Balaji Srinivasan and others. The company develops a blockchain game engine, World Engine, that is currently available in beta. The funding will help the company to enhance its product and prepare it for the official launch.

US-based marketing platform Rival has raised $2.8m in fundings, according to the offering filing. Rival’s business model is building gaming communities for other companies. The platform offers a variety of tools and approaches to developing a fan community via competitive gaming.

Turkey-based mobile games developer Spektra Games has raised $1.25m in a Seed funding round, led by Ludus Ventures and The Games Fund, with participation from Alfa Games & Partners. The studio is primarily known for its racing and simulation games, including Parking Master Multiplayer series and Real Car Parking, available on iOS and Android. The three titles have a total of more than 40 million downloads. The funding will go to further production of racing and simulator titles and increasing the company’s technologies.

Newly-established US-based games developer Moon Candy has raised $40k out of $150k planned, according to the offering filing. The studio is currently working on its first game, which is said to be a mix of different genres. No other information has been disclosed yet.