Stillfront acquires mobile publisher 6waves for $201 million

Freemium game company Stillfront has acquired Hong Kong-based mobile publisher 6waves in a deal worth $201 million.

The purchase comprises an upfront consideration of $201 million in cash and shares, and includes a performance-based earn-out consideration for operational founders and other key employees.

6waves is one of the leading publishers of mobile free-to-play strategy titles in Japan, and has worked on titles including Shishi JP, 3K STG Teamtop, and Tenchinogotoku. 

The company also produces games in-house, and according to Stillfront has a "proven expertize of adapting and bringing high-quality strategy games to the Japanese audience."

Stillfront explained the deal will allow it to build a strategic presence in the Japanese games market, which it earmarked as the third largest mobile games market in the world.

"[This purchase] significantly strengthens Stillfront's exposure to the attractive Japanese games market, making it Stillfront's second largest market after the U.S.," said the company. "[It also provides] strong cross-publishing potential to localize and publish Stillfront titles in Japan as well as for 6waves to publish its titles in the Western markets and MENA region."

The news comes around four months after Stillfront purchased Emirati mobile studio Jawaker for $205 million, again citing a desire to expand its influence in the "strategically important" MENA region.