Weekly News Digest #50
# of announced deals
8
announced deals’ size
$14m
# of closed deals
8
Last week was marked by a lack of significant transactions to feature in our digest. During this calm period, we are dedicating our efforts to preparing new research to share with you soon, so stay tuned!
As always, you can review the noteworthy deals from the previous week in the ‘Notable Transactions’ section below.
We thank MY.GAMES and Xsolla for supporting this digest.
| NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS |
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
UK-based marketing tech company LoopMe has acquired US-based mobile ads and monetization platform Chartboost for an undisclosed sum. The platform was acquired from Zynga (which had, in turn, bought Chartboost in Aug’21). The deal is supposed to help LoopMe expand its AI-driven platform and strengthen its presence in the mobile ecosystem. For Zynga, a subsidiary of US-based games developer and publisher Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ: TTWO), the divestiture reflects Take-Two’s broader strategy to streamline its portfolio and emphasize its focus on premium gaming. This follows the sale of its Private Division studio in Nov’24.
UK-based games developer Build A Rocket Boy has acquired US-based PC & Console games publisher and developer PlayFusion for an undisclosed sum. Build A Rocket Boy is currently working on multiple projects, including the AAA action-adventure MindsEye, the multiplayer gaming platform Everywhere, and the UGC tool Arcadia. Meanwhile, PlayFusion is developing ASCENDANT, an FPS title slated for release at the end of Jan’25. As part of the acquisition, PlayFusion CEO and CTO Mark Gerhard has been appointed co-CEO of Build A Rocket Boy. The acquisition follows a challenging period for Build A Rocket Boy, which experienced layoffs in Feb’24 after raising $110m in a Series D funding round in Jan’24.
Japan-based gaming giant Nintendo (TYO: 7974) has acquired the remaining 4% stake in Japan-based console games developer Monolith Soft, gaining full studio ownership. Nintendo previously held 96% of Monolith Soft’s shares (2,320 stocks) and acquired the remaining 80 shares from the studio’s co-founders. Nintendo initially acquired 80% of Monolith Soft in 2007. The studio is best known for developing the Xenoblade Chronicles series and contributing to major Nintendo titles, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Splatoon, and Animal Crossing.
France-based PC & Console games developer PulluP Entertainment (PA: ALPUL) has sold France-based games developer Streum On Studio back to its founding partners for an undisclosed sum. The decision was described as mutual, allowing both companies to better pursue their strategic goals. The deal excludes publishing rights for Space Hulk: Deathwing and Necromunda: Hired Gun, which will remain with PulluP’s subsidiary, Focus Entertainment Publishing. PulluP initially acquired Streum On Studio in Apr’21.
VENTURE FINANCING
US-based web3 game Moonray has raised $10m to date since 2021 from investors including Animoca Brands, Republic Crypto, Polygon Ventures, C2 Ventures, Huobi Ventures, Taisu Ventures, Master Ventures, and a corporate round from YGG Southeast Asia, and various NFT sales. Moonray is a sci-fi multiplayer combat arena game operating within its ecosystem. The game launched on the Epic Games Store in Jul’24 and is set to expand to PlayStation 5 in 2025. The company has also announced that it is developing a mobile version in addition to its PC title.
Poland-based PC & Console games developer Dark Passenger has raised $3m in a Seed funding round led by The Games Fund, with participation from Blite Fund. The funding will support the development of a first-person PvPvE stealth-action game set in Feudal Japan. The studio was founded by developers who previously worked on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 at CD Projekt Red, alongside team members from RealTime Warriors, People Can Fly, Reikon, Flying Wild Hog, and Covenant.dev. Dark Passenger’s core team is set to grow to 30+ members, with plans to expand to over 60 by the launch of its debut title.
UK-based VR/AR tech company BeamXR has raised $679k (GBP 532k) through two funding activities. The company secured $339.5k (GBP 266k) in a funding round involving Creative UK and other investors, while the remaining $339.5k (GBP 266k) came from a grant awarded by Innovate UK. The funds will enhance BeamXR’s product capabilities. The company is developing software that allows users to stream AR/VR content directly to streaming platforms.
FUNDRAISING
UAE-based Beam Foundation has announced plans to launch Beam Ventures, a $150m Abu Dhabi-based fund targeting the gaming sector. The fund will focus on the intersection of blockchain, gaming, AI, and AR/VR technologies. In addition to the fund, Beam Ventures will introduce an accelerator program to support early-stage startups operating within the same technological and sectoral focus areas.
