New York-headquartered Rockstar Games Inc. has acquired Indian development studio Dhruva Interactive Pvt. Ltd from Swedish developer Starbreeze AB, the companies said on Monday.
According to a statement posted on Starbreeze’s website, it has agreed to sell its 91.82% stake in Dhruva – a division of Dhruva Infotech (P) Ltd – for $7.9 million (about Rs 55.80 crore at current exchange rates).
Starbreeze had acquired 90.5% of Dhruva in December 2016 for $8.5 million (Rs 57.6 crore then).
According to the statement, 15% of the transaction amount will be held in escrow for 36 months. The deal is likely to close before the end of June.
In a separate statement, Rockstar India studio manager Daniel Smith said the acquisition would help boost the studio’s capabilities. “Dhruva Interactive has been a beacon of Indian game development for decades and we are excited to bring them into the Rockstar family,” he said.
Separately, Dhruva founder and chief executive officer Rajesh Rao said the sale was proof that the studio had built a team that could “contribute to the best games in the world”. Rao will also advise Rockstar India on the game development community in the country.
Founded in 1997, Bengaluru-based Dhruva has a staff strength of around 300 people. The company provides end-to-end game client and server development services for mobile phones, tablets and personal computers. It has developed PC and mobile games like the N64 Mission: Impossible, Forza Horizon and Kaun Banega Crorepati.