Game engine firm Unity has purchased the digital business of GAME's Multiplay division.

The deal is worth £19m, with £17.1m being paid on completion – i.e. now – with a further £1.9m held in escrow for the next 19 months.

This is the half of Multiplay that handles game server hosting for the likes of Titanfall and DayZ. The other half of the company – its Esports and Events division – is the company that organises Insomnia, as well as being the inspiration behind GAME's new Belong destination stores.

Multiplay's Digital division reported revenue for £4.5m for the year ending July 29th, with a pre-tax loss of £800,000. This loss is reportedly due to investment in technology.

Multiplay was purchased by GAME for £20m back in 2015.

"This transaction is a significant strategic step forward for GAME Digital," CEO Martyn Gibbs said.

"By divesting Multiplay Digital we simplify the Group and focus management on accelerating development plans to fully capitalise on the strong growth potential in our exciting and growing esports activities, including BELONG. We now look forward to further developing GAME Digital as we seek to combine multichannel retail, events and esports.

"We are delighted to have transacted with such a strong new owner for our Multiplay Digital business and its highly talented team."

Multiplay's Will Lowther will be speaking at PC Connects London 2018 on January 22nd and 23rd alongside the likes of Jagex, Ninja Theory and Square Enix.