Playtika acquires casual mobile game maker Wooga for over $100 million (2024)

Playtika acquires casual mobile game maker Wooga for over $100 million (1)

June's Journey will be updated every week.

Image Credit: Wooga

Connect with top gaming leaders in Los Angeles at GamesBeat Summit 2023 this May 22-23. Register here.

Social casino game giant Playtika announcedit has completed its acquisition of Wooga, the Berlin-based maker of casual games. We heard the price was more than $100 million.

Playtika will pick up nearly 190 employees in the deal, and it will keep the entire team and its leader, Jens Begemann, who founded Wooga in 2009 and helped ride mobile games as it became a $70 billion industry. Playtika isn’t saying how much it paid.

Wooga rose to prominence in mobile games on the strength of casual titles like Diamond Dash and Bubble Island. After an ill-fated expansion into hardcore games, the company contracted via layoffs and focused on its core strength: story-based casual games like June’s Journey and Pearl’s Peril. In those games, players solve puzzles and find objects hidden in scenes.

Playtika acquires casual mobile game maker Wooga for over $100 million (2)

Above: Jens Begemann, the CEO of Wooga, at the company’s colorful Berlin headquarters.

Image Credit: Dean Takahashi

Herzliya, Israel-based Playtika, meanwhile, was founded in 2010 by Robert Antokol, CEO, and Uri Shahak. The company’s Slotomania game was a hit, and gambling company Caesars Interactive bought the company at a valuation of $150 million in 2011. Slotomania still generates about $20 million to $22 million a month, according to a report by analyst firmEilers & Krejcik Gaming.

Event

GamesBeat Summit 2023

Join the GamesBeat community in Los Angeles this May 22-23. You’ll hear from the brightest minds within the gaming industry to share their updates on the latest developments.

Register Here

“We see great opportunities for Playtika in the casual games genre and our acquisition ofWooga firmly positions us for this next phase of our evolution” said Antokol in a statement. “Playtika’s strengths in implementing live-operations, advanced AI andperformance marketing at-scale will serve as a global springboard for Wooga’s creativity inideating and developing winning story-led titles. Together we’ll bring audiences worldwide awhole new level of game experiences that never cease to captivate and amaze. The Woogateam is driven and passionate, has strong leadership and we’re thrilled to have them join thePlaytika family.”

Playtika shot to the top of the social casino games market, where it has a No. 1 market share with 28.6 percent of the total market and $372 million in third-quarter revenue, the analysts said. They noted that Playtika is more than twice the size of its nearest competitor, Aristocrat.

It’s no surprise that Playtika itself was acquired for a second time by a consortium led by China’s Giant for $4.4 billion in 2016.

Playtika acquires casual mobile game maker Wooga for over $100 million (3)

Above: Jens Begemann, the CEO of Wooga, at the “Wall of Fame,” where even canceled games are honored.

Image Credit: Dean Takahashi

The Wooga acquisition marks a significant step in the executionof Playtika’s diversification strategy into a new genre of games. Following the acquisition, half ofPlaytika’s titles will be casual games.

Playtika’s expansion into new game genres began in October 2017 with its acquisition of casualgames company Jelly Button Games, which has since seen twelve-fold revenue growth.

The companies said that Wooga will combine strong creative and story-driven capabilities together with Playtika’s data-driven personalization, live-operations and performance marketing expertise.

“This is an amazing day for Wooga. Becoming part of Playtika is opening the next chapter in the history of our company”, said Begemann, in a statement. “It is a verynatural fit for both parties: we have the expertise in creating and launching story-driven casualgames, Playtika has the technologies to help us scale and reach new audiences to continue ourgrowth.”

Playtika acquires casual mobile game maker Wooga for over $100 million (4)

Above: Robert Antokol, CEO of Playtika.

Image Credit: Playtika

Playtika has 22 million monthly active users playing its titles, and it now has more than 2,000 employees in 12 offices, includingTel-Aviv, London, Montreal, Chicago, Las Vegas, SantaMonica, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Kiev, Bucharest, Minsk, Dnepr, and Vinnitsa.

In an email, a spokesperson for Playtika said, “We feel a strong connection between the two companies — sharing similar values and a similar culture — which is essential for integrating Wooga successfully into Playtika. Additionally, Wooga’s location will give us access to the amazing talent hub in Berlin.”

Wooga said it finished its turnaround and it will be easier to compete while being part of a larger company. Wooga also said in an email, “VCs typically invest for a limited time and would have wanted to sell their shares in the next years. Instead of having that constantly looming over us, it was the right decision to now partner with a new owner that will grow with us.”

Wooga’s product portfolio will continue to stay the same.

GamesBeat's creed when covering the game industry is "where passion meets business." What does this mean? We want to tell you how the news matters to you -- not just as a decision-maker at a game studio, but also as a fan of games. Whether you read our articles, listen to our podcasts, or watch our videos, GamesBeat will help you learn about the industry and enjoy engaging with it. Discover our Briefings.

Playtika acquires casual mobile game maker Wooga for over $100 million (2024)

FAQs

Does Playtika own Wooga? ›

The Wooga acquisition marks a significant step in the execution of Playtika's diversification strategy into a new genre of games. Following the acquisition, half of Playtika's titles will be casual games.

When did Playtika buy Wooga? ›

Wooga, who is part of the Playtika family brands after being acquired by them for a sum of $200 million back in 2018, is currently celebrating reaching a milestone of $500 million in lifetime revenue with its hidden object-based game June's Journey.

Who owns Wooga games? ›

In 2018, Wooga® was acquired by social games company Playtika®. June's Journey invites players to relax with a story of romance, intrigue, and mystery in a glamorous hidden object game straight from the roaring 20s.

When did Playtika buy June's journey? ›

The company was ultimately acquired by Playtika (reportedly for over $100 million) in late 2018, and Begemann notes in an interview with PocketGamer that the stability and success Wooga has seen since that acquisition is part of the reason he's announced plans to exit. "I'm an entrepreneur at heart.

Is Playtika a good investment? ›

Valuation metrics show that Playtika Holding Corp. may be undervalued. Its Value Score of A indicates it would be a good pick for value investors. The financial health and growth prospects of PLTK, demonstrate its potential to outperform the market.

Is Playtika owned by China? ›

Playtika (Playtika Holding Corp.) is an Israel-based digital entertainment company specializing in the development and publication of mobile games. In 2021, Playtika had over 35 million monthly active users.

How do you earn in Playtika? ›

Status Points are earned by leveling up as you play and enjoy our games, special occasions and on every official coin package you purchase. Bigger coin packages reward you with more Status Points. The Status Points you receive from purchasing coins also increase as you move up in status.

Is Dr Phil involved with Playtika? ›

Playtika (NASDAQ:PLTK), a leading global gaming company behind 9 of the highest grossing mobile games in the US*, has teamed up with one of the most watched daytime shows in the US**, 'Dr. Phil,' for an exclusive feature collaboration throughout 2022, continuing the show's coverage of the two games from 2021.

What is the Playtika settlement? ›

August 2020: A federal judge granted preliminary approval of a settlement agreement that would provide class members with cash awards in an amount that depends on how much they spent on in-app purchases while playing games and the number of class members who file claims.

How does June's journey make money? ›

June's Journey monetizes with in-app purchases and in-app ads.

Who owns telltale now? ›

Originally formed in 2004, the Telltale brand, assets and various IP are now owned by LCG Entertainment, operating and marketing games under the Telltale name. LCG Entertainment is a privately held company, headquartered in Malibu with a satellite studio in Corte Madera, California.

Who is the CEO of Playtika? ›

Robert Antokol co-founded Playtika in 2010 and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since our founding and as our Chairperson of the Board since June 2020. Mr.

Does June's journey have an ending? ›

Now you can see that although this story is ending, there is a WHOLE NEW ADVENTURE waiting for you! The icon is called the Volume Browser, and now you can travel between different journals to play different time periods in June's life.

Is June's journey really free? ›

June's Journey does not require payment to access and play, but it also allows you to purchase virtual items with real money inside the game. You can disable in-app purchases in your device's settings. June's Journey may also contain advertising.

How do you get unlimited energy in June's journey? ›

There are several ways to get more:
  1. Energy automatically regenerates 1 unit of Energy every 2 minutes, until your bar is full.
  2. Energy refills can be purchased in the Shop.
  3. Energy is sometimes awarded in Star Boxes.
  4. Sometimes you can get bonus Energy after playing a Hidden Object Scene.

Is Bigg a good stock? ›

BIGG Digital Assets has 500.36% upside potential, based on the analysts' average price target.

Should I sell Ltmaq stock? ›

The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "hold" LTMAQ shares. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in LTMAQ, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares.

Should I buy Bigg stock? ›

There are currently 2 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "buy" BIGG shares.

What major apps are owned by China? ›

Here's our list of Chinese social media apps you'll want to explore:
  • Sina Weibo.
  • WeChat.
  • TikTok (aka Douyin)
  • Tencent QQ.
  • Baidu Tieba.
  • Tencent Video.
  • Zhihu.
  • Little Red Book.
Jun 23, 2022

What is the biggest gaming company in China? ›

Comparing NetEase to Tencent (OTCPK:TCEHY), the leading company in the Chinese gaming industry, Tencent has a median operating margin and ROIC of 26% and 14.5%, respectively.

Why is mobile gaming so big in China? ›

This growth was mainly credited to the utility of smartphones, which were cheaper than gaming PCs and often provided Chinese citizens with their only form of internet access. Furthermore, mobile games also did not have restrictions placed upon them like other PC titles, which further boosted their popularity.

Do apps pay you? ›

Yes, there are mobile apps that promise such a thing. How can these apps pay you to play games? In many cases, you're making them money by watching ads and filling out surveys between games. Your earnings will likely be a few cents a day, and payouts are generally made once you earn a minimum amount, like $5.

Do apps pay you money? ›

If you are wondering whether any apps pay users real money, the answer is a resounding yes. Many of the apps listed in this article pay in cash deposited directly into your bank or PayPal account. Others give you a choice of cashing in points for gift cards from top retailers like Amazon or Target.

How do I redeem my Playtika rewards? ›

Are Playtika Rewards Status Points redeemable? No. You cannot redeem or cash out your Playtika Rewards Status Points in any way.

Does Dr. Phil own part of Solitaire Grand Harvest? ›

Solitaire Grand Harvest is owned by Playtika | Dr.

What solitaire game did Dr. Phil recommend? ›

The Solitaire Grand Harvest app has reinvented the nostalgic game of Solitaire. “It's not only fun, but can relax and entertain you while it challenges you,” Dr. Phil says. “It's the ultimate game to train your brain!”

Is Playtika a gambling company? ›

Playtika, the Israeli tech company that made its name through a series of wildly successful online gambling and gaming titles with hundreds of millions of players, is leveling the latest swing of the layoffs pendulum. The company today has confirmed that it is laying of 15% of its staff.

How much can you get from Plaid settlement? ›

If everyone did, the settlement would be worth about 44 cents apiece. The named claimants will get $5,000 each. Any money left over will be donated to two nonprofits.

What is Kroll settlement payout? ›

$1.5 million settlement. Over 1.7 million notices sent.

Is the GTL settlement real? ›

On August 30, a federal court in Georgia approved a settlement in the years-long class action lawsuit against Global Tel*Link Corporation (“GTL”), one of the two major providers of phone services in prisons and jails.

Can I have 2 accounts on June's journey? ›

You shall not have more than one Account per platform or social network, at any given time, and shall not create an Account using a false identity or information, or on behalf of someone other than yourself.

Are there bots in June's journey? ›

Also, we cannot have bots in the game as they cannot 'see' images. These scores are achievable with practice!

How old is June in June's journey? ›

June's Storyline

June is in her early 30's.

Why did Telltale shut down? ›

Catch up quick: Following years of internal turmoil around company culture, crunch and bad management, Telltale effectively shut down in 2018. More than 250 employees were laid off without warning, with a skeleton crew kept on to wrap up projects; some of its assets were auctioned off to LCG Entertainment.

Is Telltale broke? ›

Telltale Games was an American video game development studio that primarily published adventure games via an episodic format. Telltale had to shut down because it ran out of money and failed to secure the necessary funding to keep the company afloat.

Is Telltale still alive? ›

Two years after the studio announced its return, Telltale is laying out the games headed our way in 2022 and beyond. Telltale Games, the studio behind The Wolf Among Us and several other choice-driven narrative titles, has released an end of the year update announcing some of its plans for 2022 and beyond.

Where is Playtika headquarters? ›

Headquartered in Herzliya, Israel, Playtika has over 3700 employees in offices worldwide including Tel-Aviv, Herzliya, London, Berlin, Vienna, Helsinki, Montreal, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Santa Monica, Sydney, Kiev, Bucharest, Minsk, Dnepr, and Vinnytsia.

Who is buying Playtika? ›

Private equity firm Joffre Capital has agreed to acquire a majority stake in gaming company Playtika at $21 a per share from a Chinese investment group, Axios has learned.

How do I find my Playtika account? ›

To view account info, click on the Playtika Rewards icon located in the lobby of each participating game. The Playtika Rewards tab shows: Current Status, Status Point balance, and the amount of Status Points needed to reach the next Status level.

Who owns Playtika Slotomania? ›

History. Slotomania was first released in September 2011, one year after Playtika was founded in 2010. Playtika went public in January 2021 and was bought by Caesars Entertainment Corporation in May 2021. Nearly half of all users are from the United States, with the remaining players based in diverse countries.

Is Wsop a Playtika game? ›

HERZLIYA, Israel , April 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- World Series of Poker®1 (WSOP®), a Playtika ® studio and the world's no. 1 play-for-fun poker game2, is launching a pioneering new initiative that will see 14 social media influencers compete to be crowned WSOP® legend.

Is there a class action lawsuit against Slotomania? ›

The Slotomania Casino Gaming Apps Class Action Settlement was granted final approval Feb. 11, 2021. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

Is Playtika profitable? ›

The company is profitable with cash totaling $600 million in its coffers. Nor has Playtika revised its forecasts for 2022 downwards recently, so that the layoff do not come from any obvious financial distress.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6224

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.