This opinion piece was first published in the new PocketGamer.biz newsletter. Sign up for more pieces like this straight to your inbox right here. I mentioned in last week’s newsletter the influence that Eastern games companies have on the global games industry. This week, Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group accelerated its push to develop the country and the wider Middle East region as a games hub.In its annual report, the company gave an update on its strategy, noting that it had now grown to over 3,500 employees worldwide across 22 countries. It of course owns US publisher Scopely, which it acquired for $4.9 billion.With the enormous success of Monopoly GO!, which has already amassed $3 billion in revenue after its launch just over a year ago, that price is starting to look like a steal. It of course also owns other huge hits, too, including Stumble Guys, Yahtzee with Buddies, Star Trek Fleet Command and Marvel Strike Force.Scopely itself houses more than 2,300 staff. Meanwhile, Savvy owns esports firm ESL FACEIT Group and competitive gaming technology and infrastructure firm, Vindex. It has also invested $265m in esports events operator VSPO for a 30% stake, and owns an 8.1% equity stake in Embracer Group.It also owns Saudi Arabia-based Steer Studios, which is developing mobile title Grunt Rush and has started building a new console division. It currently employs 72 staff. ... [MORE]
Source: https://www.pocketgamer.biz/savvy-games ... ry-growth/
