nDreams Joins Aonic: A New Level of Collaboration in the Gaming World
Hey there, fellow gamers! We have some exciting news to share. VR specialist developer nDreams has just been acquired by the Swedish gaming group Aonic for a whopping $110 million. Talk about a game-changing move!
A Year of Triumphs for nDreams
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible year nDreams has had in 2023. They’ve been on fire, releasing their highly acclaimed PSVR 2 shooter, Synapse, which has been blowing gamers’ minds. And that’s not all! The studio also cooked up the spine-tingling co-op ghost-hunting game, Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord, and collaborated with Futurlab to bring us the immersive PowerWash Simulator VR. It’s safe to say that nDreams has been leveling up their game in the virtual reality realm.
Aonic: A Match Made in Gaming Heaven
Now, let’s talk about Aonic. This powerhouse gaming group first invested in nDreams back in March 2022, injecting a cool $35 million into the company for a minority stake. But with this recent full acquisition, nDreams is taking their game to a whole new level. They will join forces with OtherSide Entertainment, Tiny Roar, BKOM Studios, and more, forming a collective of like-minded companies. Think of it as a gaming Avengers, combining their superpowers to create epic experiences!
Patrick O’Luanaigh, the founder of nDreams, couldn’t be more thrilled about this collaboration. He said, “We set up nDreams in 2006, pivoted to focus exclusively on VR games in 2013, and we’re proud of everything we’ve achieved as an independent company. After 18 months of working together, we’re confident we’ve found the right partner in Aonic. This is the right moment to welcome their support to strengthen our position even further and seize this critical moment for VR and MR.”
Aonic CEO Paul Schempp shares the excitement, stating, “nDreams has done an unparalleled job bringing some of the biggest VR titles to market, and it was a natural fit for us to welcome them to the Aonic family and provide our studios with the best team when it comes to the VR/MR gaming space. This acquisition is yet another example of Aonic’s commitment to championing mid-sized studios and creating an environment where teams can create fantastic games.”
A Win-Win Situation
But wait, there’s more! With Aonic’s acquisition, UK tech investor Mercia Asset Management is also reaping the rewards. They had a minority stake in nDreams since 2015, investing $2.75 million. Now, they’re being generously compensated with more than a 10 times return and a fresh stake in Aonic. Talk about leveling up your investment game!
So, fellow gamers, this is a momentous occasion for the gaming world. It’s a testament to the growing importance of virtual reality and mixed reality in the industry. This collaboration between nDreams and Aonic is like teaming up with your best gaming buddies to conquer the most challenging boss fight. It’s all about synergy, combining skills and expertise to create unforgettable gaming experiences.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates, and remember, the gaming world is full of surprises, just like this acquisition! Keep gaming, keep exploring, and keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Source: press release