Crazy Kings studio TicBits acquired by mobile publisher Animoca

Finnish indie TicBits, the developer of tower defence title Crazy Kings, has been purchased by publishing outlet Animoca Brands.

The Chinese mobile label, which has brought licensed games based on IP including Ben 10 and Garfield to market, will pay €3.35 million in total for the developer.

The sum will be split across an immediate €2.35 million payment and a follow-up €1 million in 2018.

TicBits transitioned from casual titles such as Minesweeper, Sudoku and FreeCell to the burgeoning tower defence genre with Crazy Kings.

Animoca said that TicBits would help strengthen its European presence, adding its plans to integrate its advertising platform with the studio’s titles.

"TicBits has a solid track record in the global mobile gaming market and this acquisition is expected to provide Animoca Brands with a solid platform for further growth and additional revenue generation," explained CEO Robby Yung.

"TicBits has a strong portfolio of games and we will leverage these proprietary brands, game engines and know-how to endeavour to further expand our global market share."