Weekly News Digest #14

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MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

US-based games holding Atari (OTC: PONGF) acquires the publishing rights for RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 from UK-based PC & console games developer Frontier Developments (LON: FDEV) for $7m, including an upfront consideration of $4m paid in cash, and a $3m deferred cash payment. This deal strengthens Atari’s control over the franchise, including all major titles within the RollerCoaster Tycoon franchise. The deal comes amid Frontier’s financial problems.

US-based PC & console user-generated content (UGC) platform developer Voldex has acquired Ultimate Football IP from US-based games developer Roblox (NYSE: RBLX) for an undisclosed sum. Ultimate Football is a UGC game inside the Roblox ecosystem, which has had 150 million visits in the last six months. The acquisition is set to bolster Voldex’s presence in Roblox’s sports category.

US-based indie games development platform VoxPop Games has acquired US-based mobile app developer Celebrity Games for an undisclosed sum. Celebrity Games specializes in apps with celebrity integrations. The acquisition aims to enhance talent integration for indie developers, leveraging Celebrity’s partnerships with celebrities across various industries.

VENTURE FINANCING

UK-based web3 gaming platform developer BlockGames has raised $6m in a Seed funding round from Maven Capital, Sfermion, Newman Capital, Cypher Capital Group, Mapleblock Capital, SIG DTI, 32-Bit Ventures, Cumberland, and Presto. The platform, available in Google Play and App Store, allows its users to create a profile and earn prizes for playing games.

US-based web3 games developer Today has raised $5m in Seed funding, led by Sfermion and Big Brain, with participation from GSR, Collab+Currency, Lingfeng Innovation Fund, Compute Ventures, Builder Capital, Metavest Capital, 32 Bit Ventures, Dingaling, Grail, Spirit DAO. The funds will support the development of the company’s game, a social simulator with web3 elements. The alpha launch of the project is set for early 2025.

US-based games developer Lil Snack has raised $3.1m from Lerer Hippeau, Waverley Capital, A16z Games Speedrun, and Powerhouse Capital. The funding will support team expansion and game development. The platform allows users to play various unique games that change daily.

Vietnam-based PC & console games developer DOS Labs has secured $2.5m in funding from Kangaroo Capital, AZA Ventures, Brainbox, GD10 Capital, and Avalon Wealth Club. The funding will fuel the development of a battle royale game with blockchain integration, MetaDos, multi-platform expansion, and the development of DOS Chain for seamless transactions. The launch of the product is scheduled for release in May’24.

Web3 games developer Cellula has raised $2m in a pre-Seed round led by SevenX Ventures and OKX Ventures, with participation from Mask Network and Foresight. This investment will fuel the launch and development of the debut title, which will offer users the ability to create, compose, and evolve their digital lives.

Turkey-based mobile games developer and publisher Mixer Games has raised an undisclosed amount from Diffusion Capital Partners, WePlay Ventures, and others. The funding will fuel the development of the company’s new app, Fundle, which is already in beta. The company secured funds at a $5m valuation.

India-based games developer Hitwicket has raised an undisclosed amount from cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle as a strategic investor. Hitwicket was founded in 2020 and surged from 5 to 50 million downloads globally in two years. Previously, the company secured $3m in Seed funding from Primus Partners in 2022.

FUNDRAISING

The US-based VC gaming fund BITKRAFT Ventures has collected $275m for its third early-stage investment fund, focused on gaming and interactive media. Bitkraft Venture Fund 3 will continue to invest globally in studios, platforms, and technology within the gaming and interactive media sectors, focusing on seed and Series A stages. Total Bitkraft’s AUM reached $1b.

Turkey-based venture capital fund Laton Ventures has launched a $35m gaming fund. The fund plans to invest in game companies globally, focusing on pre-seed and seed stages. It aims to capitalize on Turkish and global gaming ecosystems, covering various platforms and providing operational advisory services.

The European Union, through its Creative Europe program, has allocated $8.1m to support game development across 22 countries, with Germany and France leading in the allocated funds. This funding will benefit game studios such as Austria-based PC & console developer Mi’Pu’Mi Games, which will receive $162k. Additional recipients include Proxy Studios, The Games Foundation, and Vest Games.

US-based venture capital fund A16z Games has raised $75m for SR003 Accelerator. The accelerator will invest up to $750k in selected pre-Seed gaming startups. This is the third iteration of the accelerator. Applications open until May 19, 2024, for the program starting July 29, 2024. (The start date was on 21st February, but there was no news about)

The Japan-based Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has launched the So-Fu accelerator for indie game developers. It is the first accelerator from the Japanese government for Japanese developers. The accelerator accepts projects until April 26.