Sega Agrees to Acquire Angry Birds Developer Rovio

Sega, the Japanese gaming giant, has acquired the makers of the Angry Birds video games, Rovio. It’s reportedly a $776 million deal.

Rovia has produced two Angry Birds movies, based on the popular mobile game franchise. It was the first mobile game in the world to be downloaded one billion times.

Angry Birds acquired by SEGA

Rovio has around 550 employees, split between its eight-game studios. The company reported that its games have reached five billion downloads. Sega seems to be looking to incorporate Rovio and its expertise to expand in the mobile gaming sector.

Sega announced the deal, confirming earlier reports and said that the decision stems from the need to “strengthen its position” in the global gaming market. The company claims that the market is expected to grow to $263.3 billion by 2026. There’s also a 56% increase in mobile gaming expected by Sega.

The company also said they’ll use Rovio’s “distinctive know-how in live service mobile game operation” to bring Sega’s current and new titles to mobile gaming.

Haruki Satomi, chief executive of Sega Sammy Holdings said, “I feel blessed to be able to announce such a transaction with Rovio, a company that owns ‘Angry Birds’, which is loved across the world, and home to many skilled employees that support the company’s industry leading mobile game development and operating capabilities.”

Sega Sammy is a holding company formed back in 2004 when video game giant Sega and Sammy Corporation merged. Sammy develops amusement arcade machines.