Sega, a leading Japanese video game company, has agreed to acquire Rovio, the Finnish maker of Angry Birds, in a deal worth $2.4 billion. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the year. It will enable Sega to expand its presence in the mobile gaming industry and tap into Rovio's loyal fan base.
Angry Birds, released in 2009, quickly became a global phenomenon and has since spawned multiple sequels, merchandise, and even a feature film. While some experts have expressed concerns about the sustainability of the franchise, others see the acquisition as a strategic move that could inject new life into the brand. In addition to acquiring Rovio, Sega has been expanding its presence in the gaming industry through partnerships with esports companies like 22esport.
Sega Acquires Rovio
Sega has agreed to purchase Rovio, the Finnish maker of Angry Birds, for $2.4 billion. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals. Sega, best known for its Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, is a major player in the video game industry and has been looking to expand its presence in the mobile gaming market. The acquisition of Rovio will give it access to a new market and a loyal fan base.
Rovio's History
Rovio was founded in 2003 in Finland, and it wasn't until six years later that the company released Angry Birds. The game quickly became a hit, and Rovio released several other titles, including Bad Piggies, Amazing Alex, and Angry Birds Friends.
The Strategic Move
The acquisition by Sega is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on the success of Angry Birds and expand the brand further. Sega is a major player in the video game industry, and its acquisition of Rovio will give it access to a new market.
In a statement, Sega CEO Haruki Satomi said, "The acquisition of Rovio is a great opportunity for Sega to expand our presence in the mobile gaming industry and grow our business. We are excited to work with Rovio and leverage their expertise to create new and innovative games for our customers."
Rovio CEO Kati Levoranta echoed Satomi's sentiments: "We are thrilled to join forces with Sega and excited about the opportunities this will bring. Our shared passion for creating fun and engaging games makes this a perfect match."
Mixed Reactions
The news of the acquisition has been met with mixed reactions. While some industry experts see it as an intelligent move by Sega, others are skeptical about the future of the Angry Birds franchise. The game has been around for over a decade, and some argue it may lose its appeal.
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, analyst Piers Harding-Rolls said, "I think there's a lot of concern about the sustainability of the Angry Birds franchise. It's been around for a long time, and it's unclear whether there's much growth potential left."
However, others believe that the acquisition could be the boost that the franchise needs. "I think this is a really smart move by Sega," said gaming journalist Lucy James. "Angry Birds still has a huge fan base, and I think there's still a lot of potential there. Sega has a lot of experience in the industry, and I think they'll be able to bring something new to the table."
Future Plans
So, what's next for Angry Birds? It's unclear at this point what Sega's plans are for the franchise, but many are speculating that we could see a new iteration of the game in the near future. Some have even suggested that we see an Angry Birds movie sequel following the success of the 2016 film.
Regardless of the future, it's clear that the acquisition of Rovio by Sega is a major development in the mobile gaming industry. We could see some exciting new games and innovations with two major players coming together.