⬆⬆⬇⬇⬅➡⬅➡ Game On!

November 10, 2020

Editor's Note: We have just launched a new series of research reports that give a deeper comprehensive report on key topics you care about.
Read the latest about the health and fitness industry.

Online gaming isn’t a new trend but COVID-19 has, without a doubt, helped boost this vertical to a new level as we have seen more revenue being poured into gaming companies and platforms during the pandemic. With reports that three out of every four people in the U.S. play video games and more of them do so with multiple devices, it’s not a surprise there’s a lot of pie to share.

Credit: Sony Playstation

Traditional Game Companies are Strong

Nintendo was surely the big winner at the onset of the pandemic lockdown as titles like Animal Crossing helped bring success to their Switch consoles which is set to sell 24 million units by the year ending March 2021.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s new Xbox and Sony’s Playstation 5 launch today and Thursday respectively in the U.S., while will lead to more competition for Switch as we head into the year-end shopping season.

Game Distributors

Popular game distributor companies like Rockstar Games famous for their Grand Theft Auto series are already preparing for the new consoles set to launch, adapting their previous games to match the higher quality playing environments.
Meanwhile, Electronic Arts who is famous for their numerous sports league centric games (FIFA, NHL, etc.) have suffered according to their recent earnings. However, their live services are strong with a 13.2% increase YOY.
Video game rental subscription service GameFly also has newfound support through an acquisition by Alliance Entertainment, which will help boost its games to rent and buy.

Fundings and IPOs

Other mobile gaming developer companies are also getting quite a lot of attention this 2020.
While Unity filed for IPO in August, Fortnite developer Epic Games and Scrabble Go developer Scopely also reaped the benefits, receiving multiple funding rounds that total $2.5BN and $540MM respectively.
Roblox, another game developing platform is also preparing to go public after receiving a $150MM Round G funding in February.

Notable acquisitions

Microsoft purchases game publisher ZeniMax Media/Bethesda for a pricey $7.5BN in September which is expected to help expand their subscription model.
Mobile game publisher Zynga purchased Turkish app developer Peak Games for $1.8BN in June.

Spotify considering a podcast only service

With podcasts from Michelle Obama and Kim Kardashian exclusives revving up their content, Spotify is reevaluating their podcast strategy.
[Read more]

Tesla taxis are coming to NYC

Taxi company Drive Sally has tested more than 100 trips this weekend but passengers have had trouble finding the door handles.
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Since last week, PrivCo has added:
563 Companies | 152 Funding Activities | 134 M&A Deals

Funding & Deal Highlights:

WoHo raises $4.5MM led by The Engine
Residential Construction • Seed • Cambridge, MA

Ayar raises $25MM co-led by Downing Ventures and BlueSky Capital
Commercial Products • Series B • San Francisco, CA

Cytek Biosciences raises $120MM led by RA Capital and Hillhouse Capital
Biotechnology • Series D • Fremont, CA

Wishbone Medical raises $20MM led by LKCM Headwater
Healthcare Equipment • Equity • Warsaw, IN

Broncus Medical raises an undisclosed amount led by Lake Bleu Capital
Healthcare Equipment • Series C • Mountain View, CA

ClearCourse acquires retail management software provider Swan
Holding Company • Acquisition • United Kingdom

ZoomInfo Technologies acquires data solutions provider EverString
Software & Internet Services • Acquisition • Waltham, MA

Moody’s acquires minority stake in Hong Kong-based data provider MioTech
Specialty Finance • Acquisition • New York, NY

Shift4 Payments acquires 3dCart, an eCommerce platform
Payment Processing Technology • Acquisition • Las Vegas, NV

Eze Castle Integration acquires digital transformation firm NorthOut
Technology Solution Services • Acquisition • Boston, MA

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