Bigben acquires Eko Software for €8.5 million

Bigben Interactive continues to expand its internal development prospects with the announcement today that it has acquired French studio Eko Software for €8.5 million ($10 million).

Bigben will receive 100% of the shares and voting rights of Eko, split 65% in cash and 35% in newly created Bigben shares valued at the current share price ahead of the acquisition. An additional payout may be given under undisclosed conditions based on Eko's net profit for fiscal year 2018. The transaction is expected to close next month.

Eko will continue to be managed by current CEO and co-founder Jules-Benjamin Lalisse. The studio, which in the past has produced titles such as Rugby 18 and Handball 17 will work on three games under Bigben, including Warhammer: Chaosbane.

This acquisition represents a further effort by Bigben to diversify and expand its portfolio, in this case into action RPG and hack and slash titles. Earlier this year, Bigben acquired Styx: Shards of Darkness developer Cyanide for €20 million, and also increased its investment into racing development studio Kylotonn Racing.

"This acquisition is another milestone in Bigben's strategy as it strengthens our know-how in the development of new games in the strategic AA segment," said CEO Alain Falc. "Bigben is also proud to welcome to its Group the talents of Eko Software which we have already fully appreciated during our many years of partnership. We will be supporting their upswing towards new, even more ambitious projects, with the goal of reiterating the experience of the million copies sold of How to Survive."