16 Feb 2016 09:30
Press Release
16 February 2016
GAME Digital acquires SocialNat, a leading Spanish eSports business
GAME Digital plc ("GAME" or the "Group") is today pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement to purchase all of the activities of SocialNAT, a popular eSports online platform in Spain, from the Social Electronica Sports Company S.L. ("SESC") and certain other individuals. The acquisition will help to develop the Group's fast growing eSports & Events division following the acquisition of gaming events and eSports organiser Multiplay in March 2015.
The SocialNAT platform has over 150,000 registered users and amongst other activities the team organised various eSports championships at the 2015 Madrid Games Week. These included the qualifying rounds of FIFA and Call of Duty for the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC), as well as the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) 'GG Cup'.
The acquisition of SocialNAT will provide GAME with both a platform and an established audience to support the growth of its international eSports business, particularly in Spain, and allow the Group to offer a range of new experiences and services to its customers.
SocialNAT's users and professional players will continue to enjoy the current platform and range of broadcasts, with further enhancements to the user experience planned in the months ahead.
According to SuperData1, in 2015 eSports was estimated to have generated c$748 million of revenue globally and is forecast to reach $1.9 billion by the end of 2018.
Commenting on the acquisition, Pablo Crespo, Managing Director of GAME Spain said:
"GAME is firmly committed to delivering the best experiences across all areas of the interactive entertainment and videogames business. ESports present one of the most exciting developments in the industry and the acquisition of SocialNAT will help to accelerate our plans in this area, particularly in Spain."
Emilio Grande, Managing Director and co-founder of SocialNAT added:
"We are delighted to become part of the GAME team. We know that the support and experience of a group such as GAME will enable us to offer the very best service and experience to our audience and players, allowing us to continue the growth we have achieved to date."
Enquiries
GAME Digital PLC +44 (0) 1256 784 000
James Staveley, Investor Relations and Corporate Development Director
1 SuperData Playable Media & Games Market Research, 2015/16 Update
About GAME Digital PLC:
Listed on the London Stock Exchange in June 2014, GAME Digital plc is dedicated to delivering for the gaming communities of the UK, Spain and beyond. GAME's UK and Spanish retail businesses are the market leaders in each country, operating a total of approximately 600 stores across the two countries and a fully integrated omni-channel offer, including the multi-award winning GAME App in the UK. GAME's eSports and Events division, incorporating Multiplay, delivers unparalleled gaming events and experiences directly and on behalf of third parties, including the flagship consumer event, Insomnia, the UK's largest gaming festival. Through its Digital Solutions division, GAME is pioneering the use of new technologies to reach gamers and business partners outside its main markets.
For more information, please visit www.gamedigitalplc.com
About SocialNAT
Headquartered in Bilbao, Spain, SocialNAT is an eSports company with its own social networking platform dedicated to eSports. Its social network brings together users interested in video game competitions, from casual viewers to professional gamers.