Publisher buyout next for expanding Empire?

UK publisher Empire has its eye on developer and even publisher acquisitions as it looks to close the gap on the industry’s big boys.

Empire CEO Ian Higgins told MCV:

We are delivering good results after the acquisition – our share price doubled after our financial results. For the future we are looking to acquire other businesses – it could be a developer, it could be a publisher if it is a good fit. We’re a medium-sized publisher and between us and the really big guys there’s quite a gap – which we want to fill.”

Higgins added that portfolio building is the most immediate aim for the company: Off the back of FlatOut we’re building up to Jackass and Animal Paradise – it’s really about building up a product pipeline. We are looking at a lot of product. We’ve got the infrastructure in place, now it’s onwards and upwards.”

Meanwhile, Vipul Patel has joined the publisher as vice president of sales and operations from Aspyr Media. He moves over from his former role as VP international and managing director, and boasts over 20 years of industry experience.