Embracer Group has today entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Financière Amuse Topco SAS (“Asmodee”) from funds advised or managed by PAI Partners SAS (“PAI”) and the other shareholders of Asmodee.
Subject to completion of the consultation of the relevant works council of the Asmodee group on this proposed transaction, and exercise by the shareholders of Asmodee of their option to sell, Embracer and the shareholders of Asmodee would execute a share purchase agreement to complete the transaction. If the acquisition is eventually completed, it would mark a strategic step broadening the Embracer Group eco system, since Asmodee and Embracer share a natural and strong bond in their strategy and cultures.
Asmodee’s CEO Stéphane Carville together with his management team would continue to lead the new operating group. Asmodee would continue to operate as before the transaction with no reorganization expected driven by the transaction.
Through the combined strengths of Embracer’s 8 existing operating groups (THQ Nordic, Koch Media, Coffee Stain, Amplifier, Saber Interactive, Deca, Gearbox Entertainment, Easybrain), Asmodee’s franchises would accelerate their expansion into video games - while Embracer Group franchises would benefit from Asmodee’s publishing & distribution expertise in board games. The envisaged groups’ collaboration and joint forces would bring impact and scale around IPs, distribution, technology, game development and transmedia-projects.
If the transaction is completed, Asmodee would become the ninth operating group of Embracer, moving Embracer towards becoming a leading independent global gaming eco-system and becoming Europe’s largest gaming group.
The combined entities of Embracer Group and Asmodee would own more than 100 game development studios and over 500 owned IPs and brands, employing 11,300+ employees across 50+ countries. The new group would have 108 own game development studios and more than 560 owned IPs and brands.
“I’m thrilled at the prospect of the project of pursuing our ambition with Lars Wingefors and the Embracer Group” says Stéphane Carville, CEO of Asmodee Group. “Embracer and Asmodee share strong values centered on putting the best teams together to provide our players with the best experiences on the planet.”
Gaëlle d’Engremont, Partner and Head of Food & Consumer sector at PAI Partners says : “In close partnership with the management of the company, we have implemented over the past three years a highly ambitious strategy for Asmodee to position it as the undeniable leader in the exciting world of board games. For Amosdee to pursue its successful journey with the long-term support of Embracer, a leading player in the game industry, could be a very good opportunity.”
“I am delighted we have made an offer to welcome Asmodee to our growing Group. Asmodee would become our ninth operating group, moving Embracer towards becoming a leading independent global gaming eco-system with several market leading positions in line with the succesful Embracer strategy to build on passionate entrepreneurs and creators with a decentralized operating model.“ adds Lars Wingefors, Co-founder and Group CEO Embracer Group AB
Asmodee, with its headquarters in Paris, France, was founded in 1995, and is a leading international publisher and distributor for board games, trading cards and digital board games with over 39 million games sold annually in more than 50 countries. Through 22 fully owned studios and 300+ IPs, Asmodee creates a dynamic transmedia experience for players across a variety of digital and physical platforms. Asmodee has a portfolio of 970+ games, of which some of the iconic game titles include Catan, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, Dixit, Splendor, 7 Wonders, Just One, Dobble/Spot it!, Azul, Unlock!, Bezzerwizzer and Exploding Kittens. Asmodee also establishes licensing and distribution partnership with leading entertainment and technology companies on successful IPs such as Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Disney, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Marvel, Dungeons & Dragons and Carcassonne. With a global force of over 2,300 FTEs, Asmodee operates in 50+ jurisdictions across Europe, North America, South America and Asia, of which 21 with direct presence.