One of the world’s largest independent games studios has snapped up SockMonkey Studios in Middlesbrough.
They become Behaviour Interactive’s first European acquisition and will work for clients including Microsoft, Sony, EA, Warner, Netflix, and Take-Two.
Details of the deal haven’t been announced, but it will mean an exit for NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which invested £250k in the company in 2020.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate our tenth anniversary year by joining Behaviour’s growing group of studios,” said Bob Makin, SockMonkey’s co-founder and CEO.
“Behaviour is rapidly emerging as a global player within the gaming industry, and we are proud to represent the first step in their European expansion. We look forward to leveraging their resources to grow Behaviour UK – North, provide further career opportunities for the UK’s exceptional talent, and establish the Teesside area as a hotbed for game development.”
Behaviour UK – North, as it’ll now be known, has tripled in size in the last 3 years, growing from 18 to 45 staff.
Its co-founders, Tesside University graduates, Darren Cuthbert and Bob Makin, and Optimus Software’s Darren Falcus will remain in their current positions.
“We’re delighted to add SockMonkey’s award-winning team to our industry-leading Services division,” stated Rémi Racine, Behaviour’s CEO and Executive Producer.
“Like Seattle’s Midwinter Entertainment, which we acquired last year, SockMonkey is founded upon strong core values of innovation and collaboration. These values mirror our own and make SockMonkey a natural fit for our ambitious growth strategy.”
Canadian studio, Behaviour is best known for original horror-action multiplayer game, Dead by Daylight, and will release its next major original IP, Meet Your Maker, on April 4th.
Headquartered in Montreal, it now has offices in Toronto, Seattle and Middlesbrough.
“SockMonkey are a talented team who have been playing a key role in building Middlesbrough’s profile as a hub for the games industry,” added Will Clark of Mercia.
“Since our initial investment three years ago they have grown rapidly and have firmly established their position as one of the UK’s leading games studios. The acquisition will enable them to continue their growth as part of a larger business and benefit from Behaviour’s global network.”
