Future to acquire publishing rival Imagine for $21.1 million

Two of the UK’s largest video game magazine publishers are enemies no more, after Future agreed to acquire rival outfit Imagine for £14.2 million ($21.1 million).

Imagine is the publisher behind print and digital mags including GamesTM, Retro Gamer, and NowGamer, while Future's roster features GamesRadar, Edge, and PC Gamer.

"This is a unique opportunity to acquire a market leading knowledge, science and technology content business which will complement and expand our capabilities," said Future chief exec Zillah Byng-Thorne.

"The addition of Imagine with its strong management team and quality staff enables us to take a further substantial step towards our strategy of creating content that connects, increasing scale and improving operational efficiency."

The deal will go through after it gets the approval of shareholders and the Competition and Markets Authority.