Sega Sammy Holdings, a Japanese video game company, has announced a major investment in Rovio Entertainment, the Finnish creator of the popular mobile game Angry Birds. The investment is part of Sega Sammy’s strategy to expand its presence in the mobile gaming market and capitalize on the increasing popularity of mobile gaming.
Under the terms of the deal, Sega Sammy will acquire a 20% stake in Rovio for €25.4 million ($31.4 million), making it the company’s largest shareholder. The two companies will also collaborate on the development and distribution of mobile games.
Rovio, which was founded in 2003, has become one of the world’s leading mobile game developers, with over 4 billion downloads of its games. Its flagship game, Angry Birds, was first released in 2009 and has since spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, as well as merchandise and an animated movie.
Sega Sammy, which was formed in 2004 through the merger of Sega and Sammy Corporation, has a long history in the gaming industry, with a portfolio that includes console games, arcade games, and pachinko machines. However, the company has been looking to expand its presence in the mobile gaming market, which has seen explosive growth in recent years.
The investment in Rovio is part of Sega Sammy’s strategy to strengthen its mobile gaming business and increase its global reach. The two companies have already worked together on the development of several mobile games, including Angry Birds Sonic Dash and Angry Birds Transformers.
The investment also comes at a time when the mobile gaming market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the increasing availability of smartphones and mobile devices. According to a report by Newzoo, a market research firm, the global mobile gaming market is expected to generate $77.2 billion in revenue in 2020, up from $63.2 billion in 2019.
The deal is also significant for Rovio, which has been looking to expand its presence in the Asian market. Japan is one of the world’s largest mobile gaming markets, with an estimated 67 million mobile gamers, and Sega Sammy’s expertise and resources could help Rovio tap into this market.
In a statement, Kati Levoranta, CEO of Rovio, said: “We are thrilled to have Sega Sammy as a new strategic investor in Rovio. Sega Sammy’s expertise in the entertainment industry, combined with Rovio’s creativity and expertise in mobile games, will allow us to deliver even more exciting and innovative experiences to our fans worldwide.”
The investment in Rovio is just the latest move by Sega Sammy to expand its presence in the mobile gaming market. In 2015, the company acquired the mobile game developer Demiurge Studios, and it has also invested in other mobile game companies, including the Chinese company Yoozoo Games.
Overall, the investment in Rovio is a significant move for Sega Sammy as it seeks to capitalize on the growing popularity of mobile gaming and expand its reach in the global market. It is also a major boost for Rovio, which is looking to expand its presence in Asia and continue its success in the mobile gaming industry.
