CMS advises GAME Digital on its sale of Multiplay to Unity Technologies

5 December 2017. International law firm has advised long-standing client GAME Digital plc (LON:GMD) on the sale of its subsidiary Multiplay, which operates an online game server-hosting business for game developers and a direct B2C game hosting service, to San Francisco-headquartered Unity Technologies for a consideration of £19 million.

Multiplay’s state-of-the-art hybrid bare metal server and cloud technology is used for some of the most popular and largest online games, such as major title Titanfall 2, and automatically scales to meet player demand. 

GAME Digital acquired Multiplay in March 2015 and retains the esports & events business – operating various gaming events such as Insomnia, the UK’s biggest gaming festival – which was transferred out of Multiplay on 31 October 2017. 

Mark Gifford, Chief Financial Officer at GAME commented: "This transaction is an important strategic step for our business, allowing us to focus our time and resources on key areas of growth and opportunity. We were delighted to have CMS’ advice and guidance on this transaction. The expertise and comprehensive industry knowledge of Anthony Waller and the rest of the CMS team enabled us to successfully navigate the legal complexities of this deal, and the team proved invaluable in helping to get the deal closed."

London-based partner Anthony Waller who led the CMS team, commented: “We were delighted to support GAME on this latest strategic transaction. I am looking forward to seeing GAME continue to develop its business, including through its innovative esports platform and its exciting BELONG gaming arenas.” 

The CMS team included Corporate Senior Associate Philip Walton, TMT partner John Enser and TMT Senior Associate Tomos Jones, as well as Tax partner Mark Joscelyne and Tax Senior Associate Robert Sartor.