Sega is set to purchase Rovio in a $770 million acquisition
They’re looking forward to bolstering their mobile output.
Sega have announced that they are looking forward to acquiring Angry Birds developer Rovio in a new deal worth $776 million USD. The deal has been made and is expected to close in the second quarter of the financial year ending March 2024.
Sega expects that Rovio will work with them to bolster their mobile market while designing and developing new software around the iconic publisher’s range of critically-acclaimed IPs and growing its community outside of its native Japan. The Angry Birds franchise will now be under the Sega banner, while its live service Beacon will be used to help expand the Sega fan community.
Sega Sammy Group CEO, Haruki Satomi issued the following statement on the acquisition:
“Among the rapidly growing global gaming market, the mobile gaming market has especially high potential, and it has been SEGA’s long-term goal to accelerate its expansion in this field. I feel blessed to be able to announce such a transaction with Rovio, a company that owns Angry Birds, which is loved across the world, and home to many skilled employees that support the company’s industry-leading mobile game development and operating capabilities.”
Rovio CEO Alexandre Pelletier-Normand also commented on the acquisition:
“Joining Rovio has been an honor and I am proud to have seen Angry Birds continue to grow, as we released new games, series, and films,” said Pelletier-Normand. “Less known but equally impressive is our industry-leading proprietary technology platform, Beacon, holding 20 years of expertise, allowing tight-knit teams to develop world-class [games-as-a-service] products.”
“We are thrilled at the idea of using our expertise and tools to bring even more joy to our players, enhancing and expanding Rovio’s and Sega’s vibrant IPs. Combining the strengths of Rovio and Sega presents an incredibly exciting future.”
Sega is expected to purchase all outstanding shares of Rovio in the foreseeable future, with the purchase expected to close in the second quarter of the financial year ending March 2024.