co-founder of Hobby World is consolidating video game studios to enter an IPO – Kommersant

Mikhail Akulov, co-founder of the largest Russian board game publisher Hobby World, has been consolidating video game studios for the past two years, noted “Vedomosti”. According to the newspaper’s sources, Mr. Akulov is negotiating M&A deals with other “video game studios with Russian founders.” It is unknown which companies we are talking about. According to the publication’s interlocutors, the company’s IPO on the Russian stock exchange could take place in early 2025.

According to SPARK-Interfax, Mikhail Akulov has already become the majority owner of the Russian structure of the Owlcat Games studio and the sole owner of Sunstrike Studios, which creates game graphics. In addition, in October 2023, he registered the legal entity Novodel LLC, which, among other things, develops computer software and publishes computer games. It is alleged that the businessman is now negotiating with medium-sized companies that have “recognizable gaming brands” in their portfolio.

He himself avoided answering the question about negotiations on M&A transactions and plans for an IPO. “I’m always interested in taking part in new projects and helping develop the market for both video and board games,” Mr. Akulov told Vedomosti.

Hobby World includes the brands Hobby World and Magellan (produces the games “Mansions of Madness”, “Mafia. The Whole Family Gathered”, “Explosive Kittens”, “Svintus” in Russia). The publishing house produces about 3 million copies of games per year. In September 2023, Mikhail Akulov reported about Hobby World’s plans to invest 500 million rubles. to the board game factory.

Laura Keffer