Press release

Annapurna Acquires 24 Bit Games, Expands Company's Interactive Division

Building on a Long-Standing Partnership, Trusted South African Studio to Become a Key Development Asset for Annapurna

LOS ANGELES - Nov. 16, 2023 - Leading entertainment company Annapurna has acquired one of South Africa’s most successful and largest game companies, 24 Bit Games, expanding its Interactive division. The acquisition will help 24 Bit Games grow its development team and proprietary technology toolkits for its client base and future new projects, while its current employees and leadership will continue to operate the business as usual under the Annapurna umbrella. Together, the companies will continue to commit to 24 Bit’s ongoing advancement and support of the South African game development industry.

 

“Annapurna has been working with 24 Bit for many years, and we value not only the caliber of their work, but their team as well,” said Deborah Mars, Co-Head, Annapurna Interactive. “They’ve always shared our commitment to quality, and by taking our partnership to the next level we feel like anything is possible.” 

 

24 Bit Games’ portfolio includes projects that range from porting to co-development to tool production for independent and AAA studios, across platforms such as mobile, PC, VR, and consoles. The company’s client list includes a broad range of publishers, developers, media companies, and tech platforms.

 

“We deeply respect Annapurna’s approach to curating a portfolio of great games, its value system around building and extending IP, as well as the company culture,” said Luke Lamothe, CEO of 24 Bit Games. “We have truly enjoyed working together over the years, and we believe we are joining Annapurna at an exciting moment of growth and expansion.“

 

24 Bit Games is the first company acquired by Annapurna, and together the companies are committed to continue to foster game development opportunities in South Africa.

 

Annapurna works with game creators around the world to develop and release personal experiences for everyone. They recently released the story-driven adventure game THIRSTY SUITORS on November 2. Their award winning portfolio includes STRAY, COCOON, OUTER WILDS and NEON WHITE, to name a few.

 

For more information on Annapurna visit annapurna.com

 

For more information on 24 Bit Games visit 24bitgames.com.

 

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About Annapurna

Annapurna, an entertainment company founded in 2011 by Megan Ellison, partners with top talent developing, producing, and publishing original works globally for film, television, games, and theater.

Annapurna’s film slate includes HER, THE MASTER, ZERO DARK THIRTY, FOXCATCHER, AMERICAN HUSTLE, animated features NIMONA (Netflix), SAUSAGE PARTY and upcoming NIGHTBITCH (Fox Searchlight). Their published games include STRAY (BlueTwelve Studio), NEON WHITE (Angel Matrix), WHAT REMAINS OF EDITH FINCH (Giant Sparrow), OUTER WILDS (Mobius), TWELVE MINUTES (Nomada), DONUT COUNTY (Ben Esposito), THIRSTY SUITORS (Outerloop) and the upcoming SILENT HILL: TOWNFALL (No Code) and THE LOST WILD (Great Ape Games). Annapurna's TV slate includes hit series PAM AND TOMMY (Hulu), THE STAIRCASE (HBO Max), DEAD RINGERS (Amazon), and THE CHANGELING (Apple TV+). In addition, they have produced the Tony-Award winning musicals A STRANGE LOOP and THE LEHMAN TRILOGY. 

About 24 Bit Games

Founded in 2012, 24 Bit Games is a tech-focused game development studio based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Led by game industry veterans, with more than a 45 person team of world class engineers, technical artists, producers, and QA testers is the largest and most experienced game development services studio on the African continent.