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Curve parent firm Catalis snaps up Bomber Crew studio Runner Duck

Date Type Companies involved Size
March 14th, 2019 Curve Digital
Runner Duck
The Catalis Group
Not disclosed
Curve parent firm Catalis snaps up Bomber Crew studio Runner Duck

Games development, publishing and services firm Catalis has acquired Runner Duck.

The Brighton-based developer has been snapped up for an undisclosed amount, consisting of a mix of cash and shares. This is set to be the first of many acquisitions by Catalis, according to CEO Dominic Wheatley.

As a result of this deal, there are two more Crew games in the pipeline which are set to be published by Curve Digital starting in 2020.

“Given the relationship between the two companies and the success we’ve both enjoyed, this agreement feels like the natural next step,” Runner Duck co-founder Jon Wingrove said.

“There was a natural fit from the moment we first met the Curve gang, and so we’re delighted to be able to ink an agreement which gives us the support and resources to continue the Crew franchise.”

Fellow co-founder Dave Miller (main picture, left) added: “We’ve huge plans for what we do next, and joining Catalis offers us the means to accelerate plans for our next games. Bomber Crew has been such an incredible success – we can’t wait to unveil what’s coming next.”

Finally, Catalis boss Dominic Wheatley (main picture, right) commented: “Bomber Crew was our first fully-funded game as ‘New Curve’ so it makes sense that Runner Duck is our first acquisition. The Runner Duck team are such a joy to work with, so we’re thrilled to be partnering with them to create the next in the Crew series. But this is just the start of what we want to do as a group – there’s so much more to follow. Over the coming year, we’ll be seeking more acquisition targets as we continue to build Catalis into one of the UK’s most significant gaming companies. Whilst we’ve been working hard behind the scenes on additional potential partners, studios who want to be a part of this incredibly exciting time should absolutely get in touch.”

Catalis bought Curve Digital back in early 2016. As well as the London-based indie studio, Wheatley's firm owns developer Kuju Entertainment and QA and localisation specialist Testronic.

At the time this deal was set to create a "major new British games publisher". Given its mix of development, publishing and service businesses, we wouldn't be surprised to see The Catalis Group pursuing a model similar to Keywords Studios; buying up talent in a bid to become a one-stop-shop for releasing a game.

Moments after the deal was signed. (From left to right) - Runner Duck's Wingrove (sorry you were cut from the lead image!), Miller and Catalis' Wheatley

PCGamesInsider Contributing Editor

Alex Calvin is a freelance journalist who writes about the business of games. He started out at UK trade paper MCV in 2013 and left as deputy editor over three years later. In June 2017, he joined Steel Media as the editor for new site PCGamesInsider.biz. In October 2019 he left this full-time position at the company but still contributes to the site on a daily basis. He has also written for GamesIndustry.biz, VGC, Games London, The Observer/Guardian and Esquire UK.