? Acquisition
US-based mobile games publisher Scopely has acquired 100% of the leading Spanish mobile game development company Genera Games, including its subsidiary studio Genjoy. The terms of the deal were not disclosed
With this acquisition, Scopely gets the third office in Spain with 150 employees and becomes one of the major game developers in Spain reaching 400 professionals in the region
This September, Scopely was in talks with its investors to receive a $200m investment for its M&A activities
? Strategic Rationale
With Scopely attribution, Genera Games plans to strengthen its position as a leader in the Match 3 genre
For Scopely, the acquisition goes in line with its recent strategy of growth through successful M&A activity, with the company already having offices and studios in the United States, Spain, Ireland, UK, and Japan
? Financial Performance
In 2019, Genera Games had a turnover of about $19.6m
The company has a net result of roughly $3.56m and zero financial debt at the time of acquisition
Over its lifetime, Genera Games has created over 100 mobile games with 250 million downloads in total
? Products
Spanish-based Genera Games was the local leader in mobile game development and international leader in Match 3 games for mobile, with such hits as Frozen Free Ball with 200 million downloads
The company was doing projects for such high-profile entertainment companies as Disney, Lucasfilm, Paramount, and DreamWorks
Genjoy’s current hit title and prime focus is mobile puzzle/adventure game Tuscany Villa, which has already reached 3 million downloads since its worldwide release this March
Previously, the company had another subsidiary Genera Indie Games – a business accelerator for the indie developers which provides funding, marketing promotion, and expertise support
However, in December 2019 Genera Indie Games separated from its parent company and thus was not a part of the current acquisition deal
? Scopely M&A Activity
In April 2020, Scopely acquired PierPlay, the developer of mobile word game Scrabble Go
In January 2020, Scopely acquired FoxNext Games. The valuation is rumored to be over $250m
In 2019, Scopely acquired Irish mobile game developer DIGIT Game Studios, creator of MMO/strategy game Star Trek Fleet Command
SOURCES: SCOPELY, GAMASUTRA, GAMESINDUSTRY, POCKETGAMER, SEVILLA.ABC
