Dotemu, especially recently, has been knocking it out of the park with its retro releases. The company is a publisher and development studio, and has helped bring about old-school titles such as Streets of Rage 4, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, and Windjammers, among many others. The awesome-looking Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge will be published by Dotemu too — it seems it really has an eye for interesting retro projects.
Yesterday, it was announced that the company has been acquired by Focus Home Interactive, which has purchased a 77.5 per cent share for €38.5 million. The French publisher, known for games like Aliens: Fireteam Elite, A Plague Tale: Innocence, and Vampyr, will pay out an additional €15 million if Dotemu meets performance and revenue goals next year. The deal is set to close in September.
"The arrival of Dotemu marks a key step in the acceleration of the group's growth and in the diversification of its expertise," says Focus CEO Christophe Nobileau. "By enriching our editorial line, we are opening up a new revenue stream and market shares to conquer in a fast-growing sector."
Dotemu CEO Cyrille Imbert says joining Focus Home Interactive "was an obvious choice", saying the companies "share the same passion for video games, the same desire to improve, as well as the same values of respect and benevolence towards our partners and teams".
It seems Focus Home Interactive isn't done looking to bring more publishers and developers into the fold. Nobileau adds that it's "actively looking for other high-potential companies to accelerate our development and expand our offer".
What do you think of this deal? Tell us in the comments section below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 18
Pity that get aquired by such a scummy developer.
Dotemu is one of the best 2D remake studio, I hope they still can do that after this buyout.
N.i.c.e. so more streets of rage the better.those guys know how to do retro games .im focus man.dotemu is doing cool stuff.word up son
I completely forgot about that Turtles game. I hope it’s still on for 2021.
Last publisher I'd think of to buy a dev known for bright, colorful retro remakes.
As long as they let them keep doing what they do best, which I don't see why not, then that's fine. It''s not like Focus is one of the big name publishers, so less likely they would get overly involved and ruin them.
Great news for Dotemu, they should have plenty of funding now!
The way the headline is written it sounds like a publisher has acquired another publisher.
Looking forward to a bright colourful remake of Cycling Manager 2.
@Flaming_Kaiser Umm... How is Focus a "scummy" publisher? Not that I'm defending them, but they've published amazing games throughout the years, and so far haven't adopted any live service stuff.
@Divergent95 Did some nasty stuff with some developers it was on the Jimquisition. I have to check it out one more time if im not confused that im thinking about it.
@Divergent95 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XU4EzXbjiio
@wiiware Yep,agreed. Saw statements alluding to them allowing them to go AA,with both Dotemu (& their other label The Arcade Crew that published Blazing Chrome by Joy Masher). Would hate to see them go away from the 2D retro classics like their partnerships with Lizardcube etc.
Given Focus have popped up a couple of times for the wrong reasons,let's hope Dotemu still enjoy their creative freedom.
Suggestion for PushSquare: increment the pages for the games on the website, specially the overview area. For example, there could the main YouTube trailer for each game, or the main announcement trailer for games not yet released.
@Flaming_Kaiser I'm familiar with that, but I believe that they eventually sorted that out. People have mixed up Focus with Nacon. It's actually them who screwed over Frogwares.
What does this acquisition mean? Most of the IPs of games made by Dotemu is not owned by them. So in that case, does it mean it is just acquiring employees and property assets?
As long as Dotemu doesn't change what it's doing too drastically, it's a good move. More money, possibly more opportunities. But it's best at reviving these older franchises in a 'modern retro' style. Hopefully that continues to be the vast majority of its work.
I was hopeful they could make a Streets of Rage 5 at some point. Now i'm worried.
I don't want Roo, Dr Zan and Skate to be stuck in the past. Wouod've liked to see modern renditions and a few more levels, not just the survival arenas.
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