In the second of TheGamingEconomy’s 2021 Predictions series, we take a look at some of the key statistics from the TGE Index on venture investment in gaming, and hear from Justin Keeling, General Partner of recently-launched Lumikai Fund, on what next year will bring for VC investment in gaming. VC Investment: April-December 2020 Many in the video games industry have believed for some time that the sector is under-explored by venture capital and private equity investors, heightening the tenacious and competitive environment [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Griffin Gaming Partners raises USD$235m (£178m); Enthusiast Gaming applies for Nasdaq listing; and ironSource reportedly preparing for IPO. Griffin Gaming Partners raises USD$235m (£178m) Griffin Gaming Partners has raised USD$235m (£178m) to invest in the video games industry, with approximately half of the funds going towards gaming platforms and technologies, while the remaining 50% will support smaller-scaled development studios. Similarly, approximately half of the raised capital will support [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Unity raises over USD$1.3bn (£1.0bn) in IPO; Supercell fined USD$8.5m (£6.6m) over patent violations; and Hypemasters receives funding from MGVC. Unity raises USD$1.3bn (£1.0bn) in IPO Unity Technologies has raised over USD$1.3bn (£1.0bn) in gross proceeds from its initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange, which took place on Friday, after offering the tranche of 25 million common stock at USD$52 (£40.2) per share, above [...]

In this newly-launched series, TheGamingEconomy takes an in-depth look at a sample of the 300 companies added to the TGE Index over the last month. In this edition: video games investment vehicle Transcend Fund; African mobile developer-publisher Carry1st; and esports training platform Barracks. Transcend Fund Transcend Fund is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in video game companies. The vehicle emerged from stealth in April this year with the announcement that it had raised USD$50m (£38m) to invest [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: BITKRAFT closes USD$165m (£125m) gaming fund; EG7 to acquire Big Blue Bubble; and MAG Interactive acquires Sventertainment. BITKRAFT closes USD$165m (£125m) gaming fund BITKRAFT Ventures has announced the close of its BITKRAFT Ventures Fund I at USD$165m (£125m), above the targeted USD$125m (£94.7m). The fund is supported by a host of investors including Adidas, WPP, Declaration Partners, JS Capital, and Logitech. BITKRAFT has been prolific in its financial [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: March Capital launches USD$60m (£46m) gaming fund; Hiber raises USD$2.25m (£1.71m); and Lootcakes secures USD$2m (£1.5m). March Capital launches USD$60m (£46m) gaming fund March Capital Partners has announced the launch of a USD$60m (£46m) fund dedicated exclusively to video game companies. Operating out of Santa Monica, California, the new vehicle will provide cheques of between USD$500,000 (£380,430) and USD$3m (£2.3m) to approximately 12-15 gaming firms at seed or [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Take-Two Interactive to acquire Playdots for USD$192m (£146m); RektGlobal buys Fearless Media; and first India-focused video games VC firm launches. Take-Two Interactive to acquire Playdots for USD$192m (£146m) Take-Two Interactive has announced that it is set to acquire mobile developer Playdots for USD$192m (£146m), comprising of USD$90m (£68m) in cash and USD$102m (£77m) in newly issued common stock shares. The acquired New York-based studio has released three titles [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Wildlife Studios raises USD$120m (£91.7m); dMY Technology Group II SPAC in USD$240m (£183m) IPO; and PUBG Corporation invests USD$10m (£7.6m) in 1Up Ventures. Wildlife Studios raises USD$120m (£91.7m) Brazilian mobile game developer-publisher Wildlife Studios has announced that it has raised USD$120m (£91.7m) in Series B funding led by Vulcan Capital, with a supporting contribution from Human Capital. The round values the Sao Paulo-based firm at USD$3bn (£2.3bn), and [...]

TheGamingEconomy’s Daily Digest brings you the prevalent business stories in gaming. In today’s news: Starbreeze to raise SEK250m (£21.8m); GP Bullhound closes €125m (£114m) fund; KAT VR passes £1m crowdfunding for Walk C treadmill. Starbreeze to raise SEK250m Stockholm-based developer Starbreeze AB has announced that it intends to raise SEK250m (£21.8m) in a new issuance of class A and B shares, as a result of delays in finding a publishing partner for its upcoming Payday 3 title due to the Covid-19 pandemic. [...]

Live music, film, TV, health, and social networking. Once distinct sectors with limited overlap with the video games sector, in recent months we have seen increased crossover between each of these and gaming, fuelled by the ever-increasing adoption of digital, the persistent engagement of video game audiences, and the temporary halt of physical events in the wake of Covid-19. While music festivals have faced postponement, in-game concerts in multiplayer platforms such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite, are thriving. After a [...]