Nazara Completes Acquisition Of UK-Based Curve Games

Continuing its acquisition spree, gaming major Nazara Technologies has completed the buyout of UK-based video game publisher Curve Digital Entertainment Ltd (Curve Games) for INR 247 Cr. The company’s UK subsidiary Nazara Technologies UK completed the transaction on June 11, having paid about INR 221 Cr to Curve Games. 

Curve Games, which was started by Jason Perkins in London in 2005, has a portfolio of casual gaming IPs like Fall Flat, For the King, The Ascent, and Lawn Mowing Simulator. Nazara’s board approved the acquisition proposal on May 20 for INR 248 Cr. 

In a post on LinkedIn, Nazara MD and CEO Nitish Mittersain highlighted the publishing expertise that Curve Games brings to the table. “This move reinforces our commitment to building out Nazara’s core gaming portfolio and expanding into global PC and console markets,” Mittersain said.

Notably, Curve Games was acquired by UK-based gaming company Catalis Group in 2016 and has been a part of the group since then. Moving forth, Curve Games will retain its office in London, with all staff and the leadership team remaining with the company. Curve Games’ in-house development studios – Runner Duck in Brighton, UK and IronOak Games in Vancouver, Canada – are also included in the acquisition agreement.

“This deal is a perfect fit… With Nazara, we will build on our strengths across console and PC, staying true to our indie spirit. It’s still about great games, great studios, and great players. Our next chapter starts here,” Curve Games’ executive chairman  Stuart Dinsey said in his comment on the acquisition. 

For Nazara, the acquisition is a part of its efforts to expand its footprint in games development and publishing. It has earmarked $100 Mn (slightly over INR 860 Cr) for mergers and acquisitions in the segment. 

This is the second gaming studio that the company has acquired under its international games development mission, the first being UK-based gaming studio Fusebox Games. Nazara acquired the gaming studio, which specialises in creating games based on TV IPs, in August 2024 for INR 235 Cr. 

However, Nazara’s acquisition spree has not been restricted to just game development. Earlier this month, the company acquired bankrupt arcade gaming centre chain Smaaash Entertainment for INR 126 Cr. 

Here are the other prominent acquisitions made by Nazara in recent times: 

— Acquired a near 50% stake in PokerBaazi parent for INR 832 Cr in September 2024.

— In March, it acquired an additional stake in Sportskeeda parent Absolute Sports to make it a wholly owned subsidiary 

— Bought two popular game IPs from ZeptoLab for INR 64 Cr in January 2025

— Acquired esports IP and event production business StarLadder via NODWIN Gaming for INR 46.8 Cr in January 

— Acquired 60% stake in kids’ play centre chain Funky Monkeys for about INR 44 Cr in February

In February, Mittersain told Inc42 that Nazara’s blueprint for organic growth focusses on four key areas – expanding the publishing business by acquiring more IPs, investing in game development for titles like World Cricket Championship and Kiddopia, scaling esports arm NODWIN Gaming with larger global tournaments, and enhancing adtech and monetisation through adtech division Datawrkz to improve user acquisition and revenue.

However, the company’s aggressive buyouts have taken a dent on its profitability in recent quarters. The gaming major’s PAT stood at INR 23.6 Cr in Q1 FY25, INR 16.3 Cr in Q2, INR 13.7 Cr in Q3 and INR 4.1 Cr in Q4. 

However, Mittersain has maintained that the results of the acquisitions will be seen in the next few quarters. 

Shares of Nazara ended today’s session 6.5% higher at INR 1,328 on the BSE.