Weekly News Digest #30

Hi all,

We are currently working on our H1’23 Global Gaming Deals Activity Report, so there’s no featured news in this digest. However, you can still find all the deals of the last week in the “Notable Transactions” section below. To not miss the Report, please follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Telegram.

We want to thank MGVC for supporting this digest.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

China-based tech giant Tencent (SEHK: 700) has acquired Japan-based visual novel developer and publisher Visual Arts and its IPs for an undisclosed sum. The company is known for games like Mabinogi, Loopers, Rewrite series and other visual novels, available on Steam.

Poland-based game developer Techland, primarily known for its open-world zombie game series Dying Light, is set to become a majority-owned subsidiary of Tencent. The financial terms of the deal are not disclosed. The acquisition will enable Techland to execute the company’s game development vision while retaining full ownership of its IPs and creative freedom.

Japan-based video game developer and publisher Capcom (TOKYO:9697) has acquired a 3D computer graphics production studio Swordcanes Studio, for an undisclosed sum. Swordcanes has partnered with such companies as Kojima Productions, Square Enix, Bandai Namco, and others. With the acquisition, Capcom aims to strengthen its developmental and technological capabilities.

VENTURE FINANCING

South Korea-based Web3 games developer Delabs Games has raised $4.7m in a Seed funding round led by Hashed, with participation from The Spartan Group, Planetarium, Polygon Labs and Merit Circle. The company is said to develop such Web3 titles as Rumble Racing Star, Space Frontier, and Metabolts. Delabs Games is currently preparing for beta launch of its Web3 racing game Rumble Racing Star.

Singapore-based crypto fantasy GameFi project Kandle has raised $1.7m of Seed funding. The round was led by Saama, with participation from PointOne Capital, Cloud Capital, Good Capital, Founder’s Room, and Seeders Fund. Kandle intends to use the funds to expand its user base and further develop the platform, which is currently in a soft launch.

UK-based gaming platform GameStake Technologies has raised $0.81m (£0.63m) in a Seed funding round. Additionally, the company secured a “growth facility” of $3.2m (£2.5m) from game finance company Triple Dragon. GameStake Technologies’ app offers non-monetary rewards to players, such as shopping discounts through loyalty programs. The company has partnered with different brands like Uber and Amazon, and aims to continue its growth.

Singapore-based Aethir, a Decentralized Cloud Infrastructure (DCI) developer, has raised an undisclosed sum in a Pre-Series A funding round, reaching a valuation of $150m. The funding round was led by Sanctor Capital, Hashkey, Merit Circle, and CitizenX, along with other global investors. Aethir’s DCI network aims to scale cloud infrastructure services for gaming and AI industries. The investment will support Aethir’s global expansion.