Games and interactive entertainment trade body UKIE today welcomes the news that the UK assets of GAME Group PLC have been purchased by Baker Acquisitions who have been advised by OpCapita. This will reportedly save some 3,200 jobs and keep 333 specialist video game stores open in the UK.
UKIE CEO, Dr Jo Twist said: “Baker Acquisitions’ purchase of UKIE member, Game’s UK assets is a very positive move for the UK games industry. Not having a specialist video games presence on the high street for would be a big loss to the industry. The growing games industry is now giving people so many different ways of playing games but there is still a huge role for retail in this fast moving market.”
UKIE Chairman Andy Payne said: ‘”The UK games industry needs vibrant and innovative companies across the whole value chain, and this move will prove that the UK will still be the number one market place for video games in Europe. Baker Acquisitions have the capital that GAME needs in order to both stabilise and transition their business models in an online world. Baker Acquisitions have appointed Martyn Gibbs as CEO to lead the team to ensure that this will take place, quickly and effectively.”