Phoenix Games Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of Sad Panda Studios

In a significant move, Phoenix Games has announced the acquisition of Sad Panda Studios, a Canadian game development company behind the successful idle dating simulation game Crush Crush. The financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed. Phoenix Games' CEO, Klaas Kersting, expressed admiration for Sad Panda Studios, praising their games for being vibrant, passionate, and rich in experience. He emphasized the potential for growth and the company's intention to support Sad Panda's talented team using their Uplift Platform and operational expertise. Initially released on Steam in 2016, Crush Crush has since expanded to mobile platforms and the Nintendo Switch. Sad Panda has also developed other notable titles, including the 2019 PC game Blush Blush and the visual novel Hush Hush, which marked the studio's exploration of premium pricing. Morgan Long, CEO of Sad Panda, expressed pride in the studio's achievements and welcomed the partnership with Phoenix Games as a crucial step forward. Phoenix Games was founded with the goal of acquiring and supporting small to medium-sized game developers, enhancing their reach and revenue. The company's portfolio now includes SmileyGamer, Studio Firefly, Upright Games, Well Played Games, and Sixteen Tons Entertainment, in addition to Sad Panda Studios.