Devolver Digitalhas certainly come a long way since its founding in 2009. After starting out with releasing HD remasters of theSerious Samgames, it has become one of the most prominent publishers of indie games and has gained popularity through titles like theHotline Miamigames andDeath’s Door, as well as its public image. Its E3 presentations have become a regular highlight among fans for the publisher’s willingness to openly mock and criticize the games industry. And as of today, it’s recognized as a publicly traded company.
Not only that, but Sony itself is now investing in Devolver Digital. This may get some people thinking that Devolver is on its way to being bought out by Sony, following the recent acquisitions ofReturnalstudio Housemarque and Bluepoint Games. However, according to GamesIndustry.biz, Sony has only acquired a minority stake of 5% in the company. Devolver’s own website also stresses that its employees remain the majority owners.
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Ultimately, things are looking really good forDevolver Digital. It has begun trading on AIM, a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange, and is valued at $950 million, making it largest ever US-based company by market capitalisation to be admitted to the London Stock Exchange, and the second largest company ever to trade on AIM.
Thanks to this floatation, Devolver has made $50 million in gross proceeds, which will go towards expanding the company. It’s also received a secondary cash placing of $211 million for management and existing investors, such as NetEase, which had previously invested in Devolver.
On the official website, Devolver explains that all this means that it can continue to invest in all the games it’s working on, as well as partner on new ones it couldn’t even consider previously and make some new acquisitions of its own. In fact, it’s already bought three new studios: Dodge Roll (Enter the Gungeon), Nerial (Reigns,Card Shark), and Firefly Studios (theStrongholdseries). They join Serious Sam studio Croteam and Good Shephard Entertainment.
The announcement also makes a cheeky reference to anEnter the Gungeon 2. No sequel has officially been announced and Devolver bluntly states that there are currently no plans, but it has asked Dodge Roll more than once about it, which could suggest that it is being considered. At the time of writing, Dodge Roll is working on at least one new project, but it hasn’t shared any specific details on what’s next.
