Sega Sammy Holdings, a Japanese conglomerate, is poised to acquire Rovio Entertainment, the Helsinki-based creator behind the hit mobile game Angry Birds, for about $1 billion. This development is being reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing familiar industry sources.
The sources indicate that Sega could formalize the deal and make a public announcement as early as April 17 or 18. The proposed price of around $1 billion tops the prior offer from Playtika, an Israeli firm willing to pay more than $800 million for Rovio.
Angry Birds, Rovio’s flagship title released in 2009, remains Rovio’s most recognizable product. The game achieved the historic milestone of surpassing one billion downloads, a benchmark that underscored Rovio’s early success in mobile gaming and its ability to attract a massive, global audience.
Reports from a Canadian technology outlet previously noted that Rovio had adjusted its strategy by removing the iconic Angry Birds from Google Play. The aim, according to those reports, was to spotlight Rovio’s broader lineup and push visibility for newer titles and projects that the company continues to develop.