• Loading stock data...
Sunday, February 9, 2025

More Game Developer IPOs

  • Playtika raised $1.9 billion in its IPO last week.
  • Free-to-play and mobile gaming companies like Roblox and Scopely are expected to follow.
Bingo Blitz

Video games are getting more play on the stock market.

Investors looking to get a piece of the $79.6 billion mobile games market — a segment that grew 26% last year — will have more opportunities as developers start trading.

First up in 2021 is Playtika — the Israeli-based developer that raised $1.9 billion in its IPO last week. Listed on the Nasdaq with an initial market cap of $11.14 billion, the company gained 17.11% in its first day of trading Friday.

Playtika has five of the top 100 grossing games on Apple devices, including Slotomania and Bingo Blitz. It generated $1.8 billion in revenue in the first three quarters of 2020, up 28% compared to the year prior.

Playtika is the first of many free-to-play and mobile game developers likely to go public this year. Others include:

  • Roblox — valued at $29.5 billion after a financing round this month
  • Scopely — valued at $3.3 billion in October 2020
  • Jam City — valued at $1.7 billion in March 2020
  • Niantic — “Pokemon Go” developer was valued at $4 billion in 2019
  • AppLovin — valued at $2 billion in a 2018 financing found

Many of the companies have ramped up game portfolios in recent years to help diversify their revenue streams.

Much of the expansion has been done through acquisitions, like Playtika’s 2018 and 2019 spending spree that added Wooga, Supertreat and Seriously.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Brady and Mahomes

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (left) with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How the Chiefs Franchise Reversed Its Fortunes

A once-downtrodden franchise is now leading the NFL in historic fashion.
Jan 20, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Seats in Rotunda remain empty ahead of the Inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.
exclusive

The NCAA Appears No Closer to Getting Its Coveted Congressional Wish List

A flurry of college sports stakeholders spent the week on Capitol Hill.

Featured Today

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
January 28, 2025

It’s Starting to Pay to Be Good at Cornhole

American Cornhole League players made $7.7 million in 2024.

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand Says It Will Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

“Backyard Baseball” was a turn-of-the-century computer hit. 
July 24, 2024

The Perfect Storm Propelling ‘EA Sports College Football’ to Early Success

Growing fandom and a long wait have already reaped dividends for EA.
DraftKings
August 2, 2024

DraftKings Announces Consumer Tax Starting Next Year

The company’s stock fell 5% Friday morning.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
July 20, 2024

The Road to the Return of ‘EA Sports College Football’

This summer, the biggest development in college sports is virtual.
Sponsored

TopSpin 2K25 Brings the Legends of Tennis to Your Living Room

2K sports is reviving a classic with TopSpin 2K25.
July 3, 2024

Esports Winter: NBA 2K League Hits Pause Button Amid Industry Decline

The previously high-profile esports league is now effectively on hiatus amid widespread layoffs.
June 14, 2024

IOC Proposes Holding Separate Olympics for Esports

The organization’s executive board has proposed a separate Olympics for online gaming.