Christopher Anjos🎗️’s Post

Gaming developer PlaySide Studios (ASX: PLY) listed at 20 cents per share in Dec 2020 and generated A$10 million in revenue in FY21. Yesterday, the stock plunged almost 50%, returning to its IPO price, after downgrading forecast FY25 revenues from approximately $65 million to around $52 million. This significant pullback in valuation serves as a priceless lesson in the importance of: - Being publicly conservative - Transparently reporting - Delivering on promises and forecasts - Earning market confidence.

Gaming IPOs: Market trends for investors: Becoming publicly traded is a pivotal moment for every gaming company. Nearly half of all publicly traded studios have emerged in the last decade, and their value has increased nearly fivefold in the last two decades.  However, the recent economic downturn and rising interest rates have complicated the listing process. Initial public offerings (IPOs) had ... Read more #GamingIPOs #Investing #PublicMarket

Appreciating Carson Taylor for his in-depth insights on SHIFTUP's remarkable IPO journey. The recent public valuation of SHIFTUP at nearly $3 billion is a strong indicator of its focus on strong IPs and diversified platforms. Along with companies like, Krafton and HoYoverse, the South Korean gaming landscape serves as a prime inspiration for India. Currently, Nazara Technologies is the only listed gaming company in India. The next 5 - 10 years, would see many more companies join the ranks. With a rich pool of talent and innovative ideas, there is a promising future for such homegrown firms to thrive on the global stage.

My latest for Naavik: breaking down the IPO of SHIFTUP, an incredibly unique game studio with top hits on both mobile and console. Founded in 2013 by famed game artist Kim Hyung-tae, the studio quickly racked up investment and publishing partnerships with top Korean strategics like LINE, Kakao Corp, Smilegate, and WEMADE as it launched its first gacha title, Destiny Child. While this proved to be a commercial success, the studio really hit it big with Goddess of Victory: Nikke, published through investor Tencent. Nikke has remained one of the highest-grossing F2P mobile games since its launch. But even that was not enough for Shift Up, which had already begun developing Stellar Blade, a premium action RPG for consoles that would be released as a best-selling PlayStation 5 exclusive in partnership with Sony. Now the company is public - and despite its overreliance on Nikke as a source of revenue, controversial subject matter, and widely diverging business models, its ambitions have never been higher. Read more at the link. #gaming #gamedev #mobilegames #gacha #ipo

This $2b deal could prove Q4 is indeed Bullish HoldCos love game IPs cos high value comes through acquisitions. Essentially, You buy well, You merry! Playtika will acquire SuperPlay for $700m rising to $2b. And the arrangement of this deal is particularly interesting. First, let’s understand why SuperPlay is sought after: The Israel-based gaming developer released 2 games that has generated over $200m in lifetime revenue: DICE Dreams and Domino Dreams… These games have around 30m downloads combined and 1.7m+ DAUs. It’s a success story so far, and with 2 more games in development, Playtika wants in on this. The Deal: Up front costs of $700m is coming outta pocket for Playtika, their Cash at hand is healthy enough to fund the payment. Also, they’ve earned quality profits in the last 3 years. $2b is clearly a larger deal size (about 2x of combined last 3 year buys) but the deal is structured to continue payments until 2027 and total costs will depend on financial targets over that period as Playtika will keep the original SuperPlay team on to continue with operations. Playtika is pursuing a gamble, they get to buy 2 profitable IPs for less / hefty sum, but this deal gives them ample time for current games to generate enough cash to pay part of their obligations & time for SuperPlay devs to come up short, so they pay less 🌚 Integrating SuperPlay shouldn’t pose problems as the company was created by Playtika alumni and the idea is to retain some independence. Analysts say the deal is priced above fair market value but it all just adds to the bullish Q4. Valuations could skyrocket again!! Come over to X for better visuals: https://lnkd.in/ddiswGCp Photo: SuperPlay

✨🚀Nevada Gaming Commission approves Sega Sammy’s acquisition of GAN! The Nevada Gaming Commission has approved the sale of GAN to Sega Sammy, bringing the deal one step closer to completion. The 🚀$107.6 million acquisition bid was first announced in November 2023, with shareholders at GAN approving the offer at a special general meeting in February 2024. The transaction is expected to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025. Following closing, each ordinary GAN share will be automatically canceled and converted into the right to receive ✨$1.97 in cash without interest and less applicable withholding taxes. GAN will cease to be a publicly traded company and its ordinary shares will be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market. Shares in GAN Ltd. (NASDAQ:GAN) closed 1.10 percent higher at $1.83 per share in New York Thursday, while shares in Sega Sammy Holdings Inc ✨(JPX:6460) were down 2.32 per cent in Tokyo Friday at ¥2,984.00 per share. #NevadaGaming #SegaSammy https://lnkd.in/grgy_vm5

Is the #gamesindustry starting to recover? After a rough 18 months of game cancellations, layoffs, and studio closures, we're seeing positive signs that signal - hopefully - things are starting to look up. Investors and consumers appear to be hopeful of a turnaround. PC, cloud gaming and non-console VR spending is up 12% in May year-on-year, while private investment activity (venture capital funding rounds, mergers and acquisitions, etc) in Q2 2024 is up from the same period last year in both value and the number of deals. And former Nintendo of America president and COO Reggie Fils-Aimé is leaning into optimism in this interview: https://lnkd.in/ehfaNKtB Oh, and don't forget a few things to look out for in 2025: Nintendo's highly anticipated Switch 2, a rumoured PS5 Pro, Civilization 7, and of course, GTA 6. Link: https://lnkd.in/gtCAGrQa

Just in: Krafton Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of Tango Gameworks: Krafton, the South Korean video game developer behind PUBG, has acquired Tango Gameworks, the studio known for its acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush game. This strategic move, revealed through a recent deal, signifies a notable expansion of Krafton’s influence in the global gaming market. Tango Gameworks, based in Tokyo, gained recognition for its innovative approach to game design, particularly with Hi-Fi Rush, which garnered praise for its unique blend of rhythm-based gameplay and dynamic action. The acquisition aligns with Krafton’s strategy to broaden its portfolio and enhance its capabilities in the gaming industry. Krafton’s decision to acquire Tango Gameworks reflects a growing trend of consolidation within the gaming sector, where major players are seeking to bolster their portfolios with successful studios and intellectual properties. The deal is expected to not only strengthen Krafton’s position but also offer Tango Gameworks greater resources and support to continue developing high-quality games. This acquisition follows a series of similar moves in the industry, as companies look to diversify their offerings and tap into new markets. For Krafton, this represents an opportunity to leverage Tango Gameworks' expertise in creating engaging and innovative games, potentially leading to new and exciting developments in their game lineup. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but the acquisition is anticipated to have significant implications for both companies. For Tango Gameworks, joining forces with a major player like Krafton could provide the necessary support and investment to further expand its reach and capabilities. Conversely, Krafton benefits from Tango Gameworks' established reputation and successful game titles, which could enhance its competitive edge in the gaming industry. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, such acquisitions are becoming increasingly common, reflecting the dynamic nature of the industry and the strategic maneuvers companies are making to stay ahead. Krafton’s acquisition of Tango Gameworks highlights its commitment to growth and innovation, positioning itself as a key player in the competitive gaming market. The industry will be watching closely to see how this acquisition impacts both Krafton and Tango Gameworks, and what new developments might emerge as a result. With Tango Gameworks now under Krafton's umbrella, there is anticipation around the future projects and collaborations that could arise from this strategic partnership.The Arabian Post Network

Gaming IPOs through the years: Platform shifts and regional growth explored. GDEV Inc. ($GDEV), which went public on Nasdaq in 2021, together with InvestGame, has analysed 87 gaming-only companies with today’s valuation of over $350B. Read here: https://lnkd.in/e6jbTKXt

The InvestGame team is pleased to release the Q1'24 Global Gaming Deals Report, offering insights into the gaming industry's current market dynamics. Despite minimal growth, significant layoffs, and volatile stock prices, seed investment remains stable, showcasing resilience amidst market volatility. Series A and subsequent rounds have declined, with a notable shift in investor focus from mobile to PC & Console platforms. The challenging state of the equity markets continues. High-interest rates and poor performance of the publicly listed players have narrowed exit opportunities and ultimately impacted Late-stage appetite. Meanwhile, major public companies focus on share buybacks and are not rushing to make large M&As, with many announcing layoffs and restructuring programs. Midcap M&As will likely grow amid present investor-friendly terms, PE's increased interest in the space, and improvement in gaming stocks throughout the year. We anticipate a potential stabilization in dealmaking activity, which may exceed pre-pandemic levels. This report highlights a period of strategic recalibration, focusing on capital efficiency and sustainable growth amidst ongoing economic pressures. We thank MY.GAMES  and Taylor Wessing for their support of the Report. https://lnkd.in/dxfPQSb2