In the first quarter of 2022, the gaming and esports industry experienced significant deal activity, with a total value of $98.7 billion in announced and/or closed deals. This is already surpassing the full-year 2021 deal value. The industry consolidation was particularly notable, with $22.6 billion in M&A activity across PC/console, mobile, and esports, including the acquisition of Activision by Microsoft, Zynga by Take-Two, Bungie by Sony, and ESL by Savvy Capital/PIF. VCs and strategics invested $3.4 billion in private companies through 267 deals, a record-breaking quarter for the number of deals completed. Dream Games, Thatgamecompany, Tripledot, and Zupee were among the companies that raised large rounds, while the most active VCs included Eitkraft, Sequelae, Makers Fund, and Grftin Gaming. Private blockchain/NFT gaming companies raised $1.2 billion, with the largest rounds going to Animoca Brands, Immutable, and New Sin City. Publicly traded companies, such as Anirnoca Brands, Immuta, and New Sin City, also raised significant amounts of money, with Animoca Brands, Alameda Research/FTX, and Shima Capital being the most active investors. Additionally, there was a record number of new and follow-on funds focused on the gaming and crypto space, including FTX's $700 million fund, Grifin Gaming Partners' $75 million fund, and Makers Fund.
