? Acquisition
- Epic Games has announced acquisition of a Canada-based artist community ArtStation, which provides a platform for artists to sell their work, advertise and host portfolios. The monetary terms of the deal are not disclosed
- ArtStation will remain an independently branded platform at Epic, working closely, but not exclusively, with the Unreal Engine team
- Epic Games is also reducing the commissions that merchants pay to sell their wares on the web as part of the agreement. Additionally, for the remainder of 2021, ArtStation Learning will be free to all users.
- The companies stated that their objective is to accelerate the creation and growth of the global creator community
? Product
- ArtStation is the premier showcase venue for artists working in sports, film, media, and entertainment. It enables artists to present their work professionally, discover and stay inspired, and network with new opportunities
- Additionally, the platform hosts a marketplace for game assets and tools for digital illustration
? Strategic Rationale
- This collaboration exemplifies Epic’s and ArtStation’s shared goal to empower creators with the resources and platforms necessary to thrive. Having recently raised $1B in a round led by Sony, Epic Games and is currently in an active acquisition phase amassing everything important to its metaverse
- Since the marketplace’s inception in 2014, ArtStation and Epic Games have had a partnership. Epic Games’ Unreal Engine team has been a supporter of ArtStation, and last year, during the pandemic’s height, Epic awarded ArtStation an Unreal Megagrant
? Epic Games’ Previous Acquisitions
- In March 2021 Epic Games has announced purchase of a Slovakia-based photogrammetry software developer Capturing Reality for an undisclosed sum
- In March 2021 the Tonic Games Group, the parent company of a video game studio Mediatonic, was acquired by Epic for an unknown fee. Mediatonic is known as the creator of Fall Guys
- In January 2021, Epic Games has acquired the technology and business of RAD Game Tools, a video game utility software development company
- In November 2020, Epic has bought facial animation firm Hyprsense for an unknown sum
- In 2018, Epic Games has acquired Edinburgh-based cloud processing tech provider Cloudgine for an undisclosed fee
- In September 2020, Epic purchased SuperAwesome, a “kidtech” company that builds programs to promote child-safe games, with the aim to create a range of “kid safe” services. The terms of the deal are unspecified
- Cubic Motion, a studio that produces advanced interactive facial animations for both films and video games, was purchased by the company in March 2020
- Epic has purchased Quixel, the world’s biggest photogrammetry asset collection, in November 2019, for an unrevealed sum
- In June 2019, the group video chat app Houseparty has been acquired by Epic Games at unknown terms
- Also May 2019, the company announced the acquisition of visualization tool Twinmotion for an unstated amount
- In May 2019 Epic Games has bought its long-term partner company, Psyonix, the developer of Rocket League for an unrevealed fee
- In January 2019 Epic Games has also acquired Canada-based scripting tool maker Agog Labs (now SkookumScript) for an unknown price, incorporating its possibilities into Unreal Engine 4
- In January 2019, Epic Games has bought 3Lateral, a Serbia-based developer of “digital humans” technology, allowing realistic animation and modelling of human characters, at unrevealed term
- Also in 2018, Epic Games has acquired Helsinki-based anti-cheat firm Kamu, specialising in security and player management for an unspecified sum
Sources: EPIC GAMES PRESS RELEASE, ARTSTATION PRESS RELEASE
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11 March 2021
Capturing Reality Joins Epic Games
? Acquisition Epic Games has announced acquisition of a Canada-based artist community ArtStation, which provides a platform for ...
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