Traveller’s Tales, which won a BAFTA with Lucas Arts for ‘gameplay’ on its Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, is based in Knutsford and was established in 1989 by Jon Burton. It employs 120 people and is part of the TT Games Group, a business which specialises in computer videogames.

The company has developed a wide range of games including Toy Story, Mickey Mania, Sonic 3D, SonicR, Rascal and Crash Bandicoot. It has also produced games for several top publishers such as Disney, Sega, Nintendo, Henson Interactive and Sony-Psygnosis and in 2005 won the Gamespy best game award for its Star Wars game.

Embryonic, which was formed in 2005, employs 20 people at its Bollington offices in Cheshire. It was established by Nick Elms who was one of the former founders of Warthog PLC and Digital Anvil.

Along with creating successful titles such as Privateer, Privateer 2 - The Darkening, Brute Force and Starlancer, Embryonic has also produced high profile licensed games including Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, Star Trek: Invasion, Looney Tunes Back in Action and Battlestar Galactica.

Jon Burton from Traveller’s Tales commented on the acquisition. He said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition. Embryonic possess a very talented workforce that will help drive Traveller’s Tales on to further success.”

Debbie King, company law partner at Shadsworth based Farleys Solicitors, provided legal advice to Traveller’s Tales on the deal. She said:

“The acquisition of Embryonic will enable Traveller’s Tales to break into new markets and continue to be one of the main players in the computer games industry.”

Andy Ball, partner at Bolton based Cowgill Holloway Chartered Accountants, who led the team which advised on the corporate finance aspects of the deal added:

“Traveller’s Tales and TT Games are world leaders in their field and both are looking at further expansion on a significant scale. The acquisition of Embryonic is an excellent strategic fit to help achieve these ambitious plans.