Atari has announced that it is acquiring Melbourne-based studio Hipster Whale, best known for creating the massively popular Crossy Road game.
The acquisition gives Atari one of mobile gaming’s most recognizable casual titles, with Crossy Road crossing more than 340 million downloads since launch.
Founded in 2014 by Matt Hall and Andy Sum, Hipster Whale also worked on games like PAC-MAN 256, Disney Crossy Road, and Crossy Road Castle on Apple Arcade. The studio became popular for its simple arcade-style gameplay that appealed to both casual and longtime players.
Under the deal, Atari will pay an initial $29.3 million, including $26 million in cash and $3.3 million in Atari shares. The agreement also includes an earn-out of up to $10 million based on future performance over the next three years.
“Atari and Hipster Whale share DNA for classic retro-style gaming, and together we can lean on each other’s strengths, Hipster Whale for mobile gaming, and Atari for premium gaming, to significantly expand our mobile business,” said Wade Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Atari. “The acquisition of Hipster Whale is a significant milestone in Atari’s growth plan.”
Matt Hall, Co-Founder of Hipster Whale, commented: “Hipster Whale loves arcade games. Joining forces with Atari brings together what each company does best: our unique approach to mobile development and Atari’s classic IP, licensing strength, and cross-media reach.”
Over the last few years, Atari has been slowly rebuilding its mobile and publishing business. The company has been working across mobile games, retro IP revivals, subscription services, and even newer platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and AirConsole’s in-car gaming platform projects.
Hipster Whale feels like a natural fit because both companies have strong roots in arcade-style gaming. Atari brings classic gaming brands and publishing support, while Hipster Whale brings proven mobile experience and a globally recognized franchise.
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