Israeli game developer Playtika has recently announced that it has acquired the Berlin-based mobile game company Wooga, in deal reported to be valued at more than $100 million. Playtika would be picking up close to 190 employees through this deal and would keep the complete team along with the founder of Wooga, Jens Begemann.
Apparently, this acquisition underlines a crucial step in the execution of the diversification strategy of Playtika into a new genre of games. Half of Playtika’s titles would seemingly be casual games following the acquisition.
Speaking on the deal, the companies have stated that Wooga would unite its story-driven and strong creative capabilities together with Playtika’s performance marketing expertise, live operations and data-driven personalization.
Robert Antokol, Chief Executive of Playtika, mentioned that the company looks at this move as a great opportunity in the genre of casual games. This acquisition of Wooga has positioned the company for the next phase of its evolution.
Antokol said that the strengths in performance marketing at-scale, advanced AI and implementing live-operations of Playtika would serve as a global springboard for the creativity of Wooga in conceiving and developing winning titles which are story-led.
Both the companies would bring a whole new level of game experiences worldwide, which would never cease to amaze and captivate audiences. The team of Wooga is passionate and driven, has strong leadership, Antokol added further. For the record, Robert Antocol had founded the company with Uri Shahak in 2010.
Jens Begemann, Founder of Wooga, said in a statement that a new chapter in the history of the company would be opened by becoming a part of Playtika. This is a very natural fit for both the companies as Playtika has the technologies to assist Wooga in scaling and reaching new audiences to continue its growth, and Wooga has the expertise to create and launch story-driven casual games.
