Outplay Entertainment acquires mobile outfit Eight Pixels Square

Scottish mobile games studio Outplay Entertainment has gobbled up Eight Pixels Square, an English mobile outfit best known for its work in mid-core and virtual reality mobile titles.

Outplay is based in Dundee, Scotland, was founded in 2010 and has 150 employees, while Eight Pixels Square — founded in 2012 — has over 40 employees in their Derby, England headquarters. The teams are planning to pool their technical knowledge and decades of experience in the industry with the aim of accelerating commercial growth.

Douglas Hare, who founded Outplay Entertainment with his brother Richard, said in a canned statement: “The acquisition of Eight Pixels Square is another exciting step forward for the business, as we not only solidify capabilities in mid-core and VR, but also get to work with long-time industry peers. Their exceptional talent, expertise, and obsessive focus on quality is a fantastic addition to the team, and we believe that this move will make us stronger than ever.”

Hugh Binns, cofounder of Eight Pixels Square, also quoted in the statement, said: “Mat Sneap, Tim Rogers, myself, and the wider team are thrilled to be joining the Outplay Entertainment group. Their ambition and strategy for success is compelling and something we’re excited to be able to contribute towards. Outplay is an obvious fit for our team, both culturally and technically, our catalogue of IP, and our know-how within mid-core and VR. We’re already hard at work on a 2017 title that we all believe has great potential to disrupt and further enhance Outplay’s position as one of the most successful European studios if not beyond.”