Sumo acquires Auroch Digital
“Auroch Digital joining Sumo Group is the natural next step in our journey and we're really excited to be taking it together”
Sumo Group has acquired Bristol-based studio Auroch Digital for at least £6 million ($8.32 million).
An initial consideration of the above amount has been paid, but deferred consideration may be payable depending on Auroch's financial performance by 2024.
Auroch was founded in 2010, and is best known as the makers of Mars Horizon, among other original IP.
The acquisition has strengthened Sumo's publishing capabilities, and considers Auroch's 48 staff a complementary development team to support Secret Mode, Sumo's recently-launched publishing division.
After the acquisition, Auroch will retain its name, and continue to be led by founder and studio director Tomas Rawlings.
"We're really excited to be joining the Sumo Group family. We share so many values and Sumo will be a good home for us," Rawlings said in a statement.
"We have a shared desire always to improve the quality and depth of the games we make, a commitment to being a positive and respectful workplace, a desire to invest in new talent, and a shared wish to make a lot of fun, engagement and gameplay for all. Auroch Digital joining Sumo Group really is the natural next step in our journey and we're really excited to be taking it together."
Sumo CEO Carl Cavers added: "I'm delighted to welcome Tomas and the Auroch Digital team to the Group. Given our increasing focus on Own-IP, we are particularly excited by Auroch Digital's pipeline of original IP. So, while this is a relatively small acquisition, it is a highly significant one for us strategically."
Sumo unveiled Secret Mode back in March, with an aim to handle games developed both internally and from other independent studios.
In July, Tencent also announced its intent to acquire Sumo in a deal worth £919m ($1.27bn).