Finnish mobile gaming giant Supercell acquires 62% of Space Ape Games for $55.8 million

London-based Space Ape Games, a social and mobile games studio, has been acquired by Finnish gaming giant Supercell, which gobbled up 62 percent of the company for $55.8 million.

Space Ape, however, will continue to operate independently, with the deal solidifying a "long-term partnership" between the two companies.

"Supercell is a turbocharge to our business," Space Ape co-founder and CEO John Earner told GamesIndustry.biz. "They're going to be able to help us in some ways that are really superpowers unique to their size and stature within the games industry - be that helping us land a world-class licence that maybe we couldn't have gotten otherwise, or giving us advice in a key area they're outstanding in. We think those sort of, frankly, unfair advantages are going to take the great thing Space Ape already has going and turbocharge it."

"We've known John, Simon and their team for some time now. We share their vision and passion to create games for the biggest possible audience," Supercell CEO Ilkka Panaanen told GamesIndustry.biz. "They want to innovate, take risks and aren't afraid to make mistakes. We also know from our own experience that this vision needs a backer who thinks long-term and is patient. And, above all, one that trusts the team and stays out of the way."

Read more: GamesIndustry.biz