Who Bought Plarium? Unveiling the Details Behind the Acquisition

Plarium, the Israeli gaming company known for titles like Raid: Shadow Legends, was acquired by Aristocrat Leisure Limited, an Australian gambling machine manufacturer. This deal, valued at a staggering $500 million, marked a significant shift for Plarium, integrating it into a larger, more diverse entertainment conglomerate.

The Story Behind the Acquisition

The acquisition of Plarium by Aristocrat isn’t just a simple business transaction; it’s a strategic move reflecting the evolving landscape of the gaming industry. Aristocrat, traditionally known for its physical casino games, sought to expand its digital footprint and tap into the lucrative mobile gaming market. Plarium, with its expertise in developing and publishing successful mobile and PC games, became a prime target.

The deal, finalized in 2017, allowed Aristocrat to diversify its revenue streams and gain a foothold in the rapidly growing world of free-to-play games. For Plarium, it provided access to greater resources and distribution networks, enabling further expansion and development of its existing and future titles. This merger perfectly illustrates the blurring lines between traditional gambling and modern gaming, with both companies benefiting from the synergy.

Plarium’s Profile Before the Acquisition

Before being acquired, Plarium had already established itself as a prominent player in the gaming industry. Founded in 2009 in Herzliya, Israel, the company initially focused on developing games for the Eastern European casual gaming market. As they evolved, they shifted their focus to more complex and globally appealing titles.

Plarium quickly became known for their free-to-play, massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. The success of titles like Raid: Shadow Legends, Vikings: War of Clans, and Throne: Kingdom at War propelled Plarium to the forefront of the mobile gaming scene. Their emphasis on high-quality graphics, engaging gameplay, and strategic depth attracted a large and dedicated player base worldwide.

Aristocrat’s Perspective: Why Plarium?

Aristocrat’s decision to acquire Plarium was a deliberate move to capture a larger share of the digital gaming market. The company recognized the potential of free-to-play mobile games and saw Plarium as a perfect fit for their expansion strategy.

Here are some key reasons behind Aristocrat’s acquisition of Plarium:

• Access to the Mobile Gaming Market: Aristocrat aimed to tap into the growing mobile gaming sector, which offered a significant opportunity for revenue growth.
• Diversification of Revenue Streams: The acquisition allowed Aristocrat to diversify its revenue beyond traditional casino games and into the more stable revenue of popular mobile games.
• Expertise in Free-to-Play Games: Plarium possessed extensive knowledge and experience in developing and publishing successful free-to-play games, a model that Aristocrat was looking to adopt.
• Established Player Base: Plarium had already cultivated a large and loyal player base, providing Aristocrat with immediate access to a broad audience.
• Strategic Growth: By acquiring Plarium, Aristocrat was strategically positioning itself for long-term growth and market leadership in the evolving gaming industry.

The Impact of the Acquisition

The acquisition of Plarium by Aristocrat had a significant impact on both companies and the wider gaming industry. For Plarium, it meant access to greater financial resources, allowing for further investment in game development and marketing. Aristocrat benefited from Plarium’s established player base and expertise in the mobile gaming market.

Here are some notable impacts:

• Increased Investment in Game Development: Plarium was able to invest more heavily in developing new games and expanding its existing titles.
• Expansion of Player Base: Aristocrat’s resources helped Plarium reach a broader audience and increase its player base worldwide.
• Diversification of Aristocrat’s Portfolio: The acquisition diversified Aristocrat’s portfolio, making it less reliant on traditional casino games.
• Synergy and Knowledge Sharing: Both companies benefited from the sharing of knowledge and expertise in their respective areas of the gaming industry.
• Enhanced Market Position: Aristocrat strengthened its position in the global gaming market by integrating Plarium’s successful mobile games.

Raid: Shadow Legends and Plarium’s Success

Plarium’s most prominent game, Raid: Shadow Legends, has been a massive success, contributing significantly to the company’s revenue and reputation. Known for its impressive graphics, strategic gameplay, and extensive roster of champions, Raid has become a popular choice among mobile gamers.

However, it’s also become known for its heavy advertising and influencer sponsorships, leading to its meme status on the internet. Still, the game’s financial performance is undeniable, having generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and attracting millions of players worldwide.

The success of Raid: Shadow Legends has not only boosted Plarium’s revenue but has also played a crucial role in attracting Aristocrat’s interest in the company. This game has helped solidify Plarium’s position as a leading mobile game developer and publisher. Understanding how games work, and how we learn in them, is key to the future of education. Check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more.

Plarium Today

Today, Plarium continues to operate as a subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Limited. Under Aristocrat’s ownership, Plarium continues to develop and publish high-quality mobile and PC games. The company maintains its headquarters in Israel and operates several development studios across Europe and the United States.

With the support of Aristocrat, Plarium is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory and remain a significant player in the global gaming industry. Their dedication to creating engaging and immersive gaming experiences remains a driving force behind their success.

FAQs About Plarium and its Acquisition

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive overview of Plarium and its acquisition by Aristocrat:

1. Who currently owns Plarium?

Plarium is currently owned by Aristocrat Leisure Limited, an Australian gambling machine manufacturer.

2. Is Plarium a Chinese company?

No, Plarium is not a Chinese company. It was founded in Herzliya, Israel, and maintains its headquarters there.

3. Where are Plarium games located?

Plarium is headquartered in Israel with eight offices and development studios across Europe and the United States.

4. What is Plarium best known for?

Plarium is best known for its free-to-play, massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, particularly Raid: Shadow Legends.

5. Is Raid: Shadow Legends made in Ukraine?

The initial development of Raid: Shadow Legends was done by Plarium Global’s Ukraine-based creative Studio. The team continues to work on the game from Ukraine and locations in Western Europe, including the company’s studio in Warsaw, Poland.

6. Is Raid: Shadow Legends an Israeli company?

Raid: Shadow Legends is developed and published by Plarium Games, an Israeli game developer.

7. How much money does Plarium make?

In 2020, Plarium made approximately $303.5 million. Raid: Shadow Legends alone has generated over $1 billion in lifetime revenue.

8. Who is the current CEO of Plarium?

The current CEO of Plarium is Schraga Mor.

9. How many people work at Plarium?

Plarium employs more than 1400 specialists across its offices and development studios.

10. Is Plarium Play safe to use?

Plarium Play is generally considered safe and has been approved by several leading antivirus software providers.

11. How many people are playing Raid: Shadow Legends?

As of recent reports, Raid: Shadow Legends has accumulated more than 56 million downloads, with one million daily active users across all platforms.

12. Why is Raid: Shadow Legends a meme?

Raid: Shadow Legends has become an internet meme due to its aggressive advertising campaigns, particularly its sponsorships of numerous content creators.

13. What type of game is Raid: Shadow Legends?

Raid: Shadow Legends is a mobile role-playing game with a strong emphasis on collecting and upgrading champions.

14. What are some games similar to Plarium games?

Some competitors to Plarium include Zynga, Playtika, FreshPlanet, and Joya Communications.

15. When was Plarium founded?

Plarium was founded in 2009 in Herzliya, Israel.

In conclusion, the acquisition of Plarium by Aristocrat Leisure Limited represents a strategic alignment of two significant forces in the gaming industry. This union has allowed both companies to expand their reach, diversify their revenue streams, and strengthen their positions in the competitive global market. With ongoing success in titles like Raid: Shadow Legends, Plarium continues to be a key player under the umbrella of Aristocrat.