Sega to purchase Rovio in $770 million acquisition

Sega looking to bolster mobile output

Legendary Japanese publisher Sega has announced that it is looking to acquire Angry Birds developer Rovio in a new deal worth in the region of $776 million USD. The deal has been greenlit by both parties, and is expected to close in the second quarter of the financial year ending March 2024.

Sega hopes that Rovio will work with Sega to bolster the latter’s mobile market, designing and developing new software around the publisher’s range of iconic IPs, and growing its community outside of its native Japan. Rovio’s popular Angry Birds brand is expected to continue under the Sega banner, while its live service platform Beacon will be used to help expand the Sega fan community.

“Among the rapidly growing global gaming market, the mobile gaming market has especially high potential, and it has been SEGA’s long-term goal to accelerate its expansion in this field,” said Sega Sammy Group CEO, Haruki Satomi. “I feel blessed to be able to announce such a transaction with Rovio, a company that owns Angry Birds, which is loved across the world, and home to many skilled employees that support the company’s industry-leading mobile game development and operating capabilities.”

Rovio CEO Alexandre Pelletier-Normand also spoke of their excitement about the merger.

“Joining Rovio has been an honour and I am proud to have seen Angry Birds continue to grow, as we released new games, series and films,” said Pelletier-Normand. “Less known but equally impressive is our industry-leading proprietary technology platform, Beacon, holding 20 years of expertise, allowing tight-knit teams to develop world-class [games-as-a-service] products.”

“We are thrilled at the idea of using our expertise and tools to bring even more joy to our players, enhancing and expanding Rovio’s and Sega’s vibrant IPs. Combining the strengths of Rovio and Sega presents an incredibly exciting future.”

The deal having been greenlit by both parties, Sega is expected to purchase all outstanding shares in Rovio in the foreseeable future, with the purchase expected to close in the second quarter of the financial year ending March 2024.

Sega to acquire Rovio in €706 million deal [GamesIndustry.biz]