RockYou buys UK studio Playdemic

Californian social game outfit RockYou has acquired UK studio Playdemic, the group has announced.

Financial terms of the buyout were not announced.

Playdemic has steadily built a standing in the social games space via its popular Facebook game Gourmet Ranch.

The Manchester-based studio has a management team of senior execs from THQ, Ubisoft and Eidos, and has Eidos life president Ian Livingstone as a chief investor.

The studio buyout reflects RockYou’s second acquisition since December, as the firm looks to expand in the social games space and out of the shadow of leading firm Zynga.

Jonathan Knight, RockYou’s games boss, assured that Playdemic “will retain their culture and creative control”.

Playdemic CEO Paul Gouge will shift his job title to studio general manger.

“Being a part of RockYou gives us the opportunity to remain creatively independent, while leveraging RockYou’s vast network and expertise at scale to reach a wide audience with our games," said Gouge.

"We see a massive opportunity to expand the depth and quality of social games, and have found an ideal partner in RockYou."