Gaming monopolies continue to grow! In 2022 alone, multiple major video game companies merged through groundbreaking deals spanning billions of dollars, including Take-Two’s acquisition of Zynga, Microsoft’s continued bid for Activision Blizzard, and Sony’s purchase of Bungie. Now, Israeli social gaming company Playtika has extended a $735 million offer to acquire Finland-based Rovio, known for the infamous Angry Birds franchise.
While the offer is non-binding, news of the potential merger has caused Rovio shares to jump in value. Despite the bump, Playtika’s €9.05 ($9.74) per share bid is still at an attractive premium.
“Pursuant to its fiduciary duties, the board of Rovio continues to explore all strategic alternatives in order to reach the best possible outcome for Rovio and its shareholders,” the company said in a statement. “There can be no assurance that the strategic review and the preliminary non-binding discussions will result in any cash or other tender offer or any other transaction, or the pricing of any such possible transaction. Rovio will release further information at an appropriate time.”
Playtika’s bid follows its recent company-wide consolidation and restructuring effort that included a layoff this past December of 600 employees. While this could be a simple refocusing effort and not a reflection on the company’s financial health, extending nearly $1 billion dollars after such a sizable downsizing could spell trouble down the line.
The recent uptick in major acquisitions, not just in gaming, but the entire entertainment space, begs the question: should developers continue to merge and grow freely, or could these mergers lead to troublesome monopolies that stifle independent creativity?
Cybersecurity specialist by day, investigative journalist by night.
