10TACLE STUDIOS AG snaps up Hungarian games developer Stormregion
Acquisition creates new capacity
Darmstadt, June 5, 2007 - 10TACLE STUDIOS AG (ISIN DE000TACL107) today acquired a 100% stake in Stormregion Szoftverfejlesztő Kft., Budapest. Employing a staff of 95, Stormregion is one of Hungary's largest game developers. The acquisition significantly expands 10TACLE STUDIOS AG's in-house development capacity. 10TACLE STUDIOS AG expects synergy effects arising from the acquisition to produce an EBIT effect in excess of EUR 1.5 million in the current fiscal year. The Company expects even more pronounced positive effects from the acquisition of the studio in fiscal year 2008.
"Qualified growth is one of the goals we set for ourselves for 2007. Incorporating Stormregion into the 10TACLE STUDIOS Group is consistent with our close cooperation with the company, as this provides us with another highly qualified studio that meets all the demands of state-of-the-art game development, while also making its own technological contribution to the Group," said Michele Pes, CEO of 10TACLE STUDIOS AG. "Our goal is to become the market leader among independent development studios. The acquisition of Stormregion brings us another step closer to this goal," Pes continued.
Stormregion is currently developing the game entitled "Codename Panzers: Cold War," which will be distributed throughout Europe by Electronic Arts. The acquisition of Stormregion represents another key step for 10TACLE STUDIOS AG in expanding its international development resources. The Hungarian company has significantly expanded its capacities in recent years, and is one of Hungary's first officially licensed developers for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Stormregion is expected to be commissioned to develop two additional titles this year. Stormregion achieved worldwide fame in 2004 with the development of its real-time strategy game "Codename: Panzers," which has received several awards. Millions of copies of the games in the "Codename: Panzers" series have been sold around the world.
In addition to over 2.0 million in equity and the IP rights to the "Codename: Panzer" series, Stormregion has its own development tool, "GEPARD." This technology has already been upgraded for next generation games, meaning it can also be used at other 10TACLE STUDIOS AG Group development studios.
Although it was agreed not to disclose the purchase price, it may be gradually reduced over time, depending on whether a number of targets are met.
For more information:
www.10tacle.com
www.stormregion.com
About 10TACLE STUDIOS AG:
Listed in the General Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, 10TACLE STUDIOS AG (WKN: TACL10, ISIN DE000TACL107) is one of Europe's leading independent developers and producers of high-end computer and video games. 10TACLE STUDIOS AG is a top international producer with a product portfolio covering all relevant, high-growth segments of the games market. Currently, some 390 employees work for 10TACLESTUDIOS AG at its headquarters in Darmstadt and the development sites in Hanover, Duisburg, London, Charleroi, Bratislava, Budapest and Singapore. 10TACLE STUDIOS AG's consolidated revenue increased by 64% to 29.037 million in 2006 (previous year: 17.896 million). During the same period, EBIT increased sharply by 180% to 4.742 million (previous year: 1.684 million).
About Stormregion:
Stormregion is a Hungarian game developer specializing in 3D real-time strategy games. The games are developed in full using in-house technology based on the GEPARD3 engine. Following the successful and entertaining title "S.W.I.N.E.," the development studio developed "Codename: Panzers," a pure-play real-time strategy game that takes place during WWII. With an explosive mix of exciting action and varied cinematics developed using motion capturing technology, Codename: Panzers was one of the top-sellers of 2004, receiving high praise from gamers and journalists alike. In summer 2005, the company successfully published the independent expansion of Codename Panzers and presented a playable demo of the Rush for Berlin title at the Games Convention. Stormregion employs over 90 people working on current projects. The company plans to expand its development expertise to next-generation consoles and handhelds.