Unbelievable: Sega Acquires the Angry Birds Franchise!
Sega takes flight as it swoops in to acquire Rovio, solidifying its ownership of the beloved Angry Birds franchise This strategic move signifies Sega's bold entry into the thriving world of mobile gaming
Highlights
Sega has confirmed its acquisition of Rovio, making it the official owner of Angry Birds. This move signals Sega's entry into the mobile gaming market.
Rovio's Angry Birds game has achieved tremendous success, surpassing five billion downloads. This franchise has subsequently produced countless sequels and adaptations, and now it embarks on a new phase with Sega taking the helm.
Accompanied by an image featuring Sonic and the Angry Birds, Sega's official announcement generates excitement among fans, as they anticipate the potential that lies ahead. Sega aims to make a substantial impact in the worldwide mobile gaming market through its ownership of the prestigious Angry Birds franchise.
Sega has officially acquired Rovio, becoming the new owner of Angry Birds' intellectual property. This acquisition has been in the works since April of this year, as Sega aims to expand its presence in the mobile gaming industry.
In 2009, Rovio launched Angry Birds, which quickly became one of the most popular mobile games ever. It was the first title to reach one billion downloads and has since surpassed five billion downloads in total, according to Rovio. The game's simple concept of birds seeking vengeance against pesky green pigs has led to numerous sequels, spin-offs, and even two film adaptations. With all this success, the Angry Birds franchise now ventures into a new chapter of its story.
Sega's official confirmation of its acquisition of Angry Birds has generated excitement among fans, as the company expresses enthusiasm for adding Rovio to its successful games portfolio. Sega teases the possibilities for exciting adventures with the newly acquired franchise by sharing an image of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles alongside the Angry Birds. While Sega is renowned for its Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, it has also stayed relevant with modern titles like the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series and the Persona series.
Reports of Sega's interest in acquiring Rovio emerged earlier this year, with rumored talks of a billion-dollar deal. However, the official agreement settled at $775 million, and the acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of September 2023. Rovio will become part of Sega's UK-based subsidiary, Sega Europe. In a press release, Sega emphasized its intention to leverage the Angry Birds franchise to make a significant impact in the global mobile gaming market, drawing inspiration from Nintendo's successful ventures with Mario Kart Tour and Pokemon GO.
Sega's acquisition of Rovio exemplifies the prevailing trend in the video game industry, which heavily focuses on acquiring other companies. Notable instances include Sony's purchase of Bungie for $3.6 billion and Microsoft's astounding acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. Given the significant profits generated in the video game sector, gamers can anticipate further groundbreaking corporate takeovers and acquisitions in the future.
