Sumo Group

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Sumo Group plc
TypePublic
LSE: SUMO
FoundedDecember 2017; 4 years ago (2017-12)
Headquarters
Sheffield
,
England
Key people
OwnerTencent (8.75%; pending full acquisition)
Number of employees
1,200+[1] (2021)
Subsidiaries
Websitesumogroupplc.com

Sumo Group plc is a British video game holding company based in Sheffield. It was formed in December 2017 as the parent company for Sumo Digital and Atomhawk, followed by its initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange later that month. Sumo Group's other subsidiaries are Pipeworks Studios (acquired in September 2020) and Secret Mode, a publisher established in March 2021. After purchasing a minority stake in Sumo Group in November 2019, Tencent agreed to wholly acquire the company in July 2021.

History[]

Carl Cavers, Paul Porter, Darren Mills and James North-Hearn, four former members of the defunct Infogrames Studios, established the developer Sumo Digital in 2003.[2] It was bought by Foundation 9 Entertainment in March 2008 before Cavers, Porter, Mills and Chris Stockwell completed a management buyout of the studio in November 2014.[3][4] In December 2017, Sumo Group was formed in December 2017 as the parent company for Sumo Digital and its Atomhawk subsidiary. Sumo Group had its initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange later that month.[5][6]

In November 2019, the Chinese conglomerate Tencent acquired 15 million shares of Sumo Group, representing a 10% stake.[7] Sumo Group acquired Pipeworks Studios in October 2020 and opened a publishing label, Secret Mode, in March 2021.[8][9] In July that year, Tencent and Sumo Group agreed that Tencent would, through its subsidiary Sixjoy Hong Kong Limited, wholly acquire the company for GB£5.13 per share (143.3% of the shares' previous closing price of GB£3.58), totalling GB£919 million. At the time, Tencent was Sumo Group's second-largest shareholder at 8.75%.[1][10]

In September 2021, Sumo Group acquired Auroch Digital, a Bristol-based developer, GB£6 million.[11]

Subsidiaries[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Kerr, Chris (19 July 2021). "Tencent agrees to buy UK game company Sumo Group for $1.27 billion". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Interview: Paul Porter, Sumo Digital". MCV/Develop. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  3. ^ Boyes, Emma (17 August 2007). "Foundation 9 wrestles with Sumo Digital". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  4. ^ Rose, Mike (11 November 2014). "Sumo Digital has separated from its parent company". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  5. ^ Shead, Sam (18 December 2017). "A UK gaming studio involved with Forza and Hitman is set to IPO at £145 million". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  6. ^ Dunkley, Daniel (8 October 2017). "Games designers line up £150m float". The Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  7. ^ Batchelor, James (15 November 2019). "Tencent buying 10% of Sumo Group". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  8. ^ Handrahan, Matthew (30 September 2020). "Sumo Group acquires Pipeworks for $100m". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  9. ^ Kerr, Chris (11 March 2021). "Sumo Group launches Secret Mode to publish in-house and indie projects". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  10. ^ Takahashi, Dean (19 July 2021). "Tencent has agreed to buy video game maker Sumo Group for $1.27B". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  11. ^ Partis, Danielle (14 September 2021). "Sumo acquires Auroch Digital". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.

External links[]

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