(Update) Software firm AppLovin proposes $17.5 billion merger offer to Unity

AppLovin’ It

[Update: Unity’s board of directors has unanimously voted to reject AppLovin’s $17.5 billion merger proposal. Calling the deal “not in the best interests of Unity shareholders,” Unity is now expected to continue with its previous plans to merge with mobile software firm IronSource. As noted in the original article below, backing out of the IronSource deal was a key condition of the AppLovin proposal.

“We remain committed to and enthusiastic about Unity’s agreement with IronSource and the substantial benefits it will create for our shareholders and Unity creators,” said Unity CEO John Riccitiello of the decision. “The board continues to believe that the IronSource transaction is compelling and will deliver an opportunity to generate long-term value.” — Reuters]

— Original Article —

Mobile software company AppLovin has issued a proposal to Unity Technologies, offering to merge with the popular and highly widespread game engine creator for a staggering $17.5 billion USD buy-in rate. AppLovin made the offer public yesterday, with Unity Technology currently weighing up its options.

In order for Unity to accept the deal, it must first back out of its current agreement with another mobile-heavy software company, IronSource. IronSource and Unity announced their plans to merge a mere month ago, in a deal that would see IronSource become a subsidiary of Unity Technologies. AppLovin has requested the abolition of these plans as a key qualifier for its own merger proposal.

“Over the last decade, we have built and operated a leading and innovative company in mobile app marketing and monetization solutions,” writes AppLovin CEO Adam Foroughi. “Unity is one of the world’s leading platforms for helping creators turn their inspirations into real-time 3D content. With the scale that comes from unifying our leading solutions and innovation that would be achieved with the combination of our teams, we expect that game developers would be the biggest beneficiaries as they continue to lead the mobile gaming sector to its next chapter of growth.”

Should the merger go ahead, Unity CEO John Riccitiello — recently embroiled in the “fucking idiots” monetization controversy — would become joint CEO of the new company. In regard to new company stock, Unity shareholders would receive 55% of company shares, with 49% of voting rights shares. AppLovin believes that the merger will result in somewhere in the region of $500-700 million a year in the new company’s pre-tax revenue.

AppLovin offers to merge with Unity [GamesIndustry.biz]