MTG has simultaneously agreed and completed the acquisition of DreamHack, which is one of the world’s largest esports companies and organizer of the world’s largest digital festivals
MTG is acquiring 100% of DreamHack for an enterprise value of SEK 244 million (~28 million USD), from private investors and the company’s management. Management will continue to drive the development of the business. The company generated SEK 69 million of sales in 2014 and was profitable for the full year. It is expected to generate double digit sales growth in 2015. This investment follows MTG’s recent acquisition of 74% of ESL, the world’s largest esports company.
Hmmm... Don't want to jump the gun and say anything out of line... I'll just wait and see how the rest of this year and 2016 plays out. Hopefully, it means more tournaments for SCII, which will revive the scene more.
I've always been weary of companies that go around buying out everyone else, thus I'm not really happy. Hopefully my fears will be unfounded and good things will come of this.
On November 12 2015 17:23 feardragon wrote: Woah. All major Starcraft eSports LAN providers may be under the same umbrella? That kinda scares me. At least Redbull is still separate.
Gfinity is still seperate too. Though last I heard the were 3.4 million dollars in debt so don't count on that continuing
I can't really make my mind about it, is it good news?
Okay, a monopoly is definitely a bad things. But this could also mean a better cooperation between the different leagues (thinking of CS:GO notably), to get behind a unique schedule that'd leave room for everyone, and let players/teams compete the best way possible (not having huge back to back tournaments, potentially very far apart, etc.).
I can only really call it "scary". No reason to assume bad things, ESL hasn't exactly changed its operating procedure since it was taken over, so it isn't like when Twitch was almost bought by Google. While there aren't immediate negative implications, the reality that there is potential for a near-monopolized esports market in Europe is a frightening prospect.
Just read the short description about MTG, found out they are the largest shareholder in CTC Media, which is Russia’s leading independent media company. I am really surpised.
I don't understand the kinda "let's hope it's not a bad thing" comments. Of course it is a bad thing because we are getting closer to a monopoly. Have we ever seen anything good coming from a monopoly? I sure never have.