Tripledot buys AppLovin’s mobile gaming portfolio for $800M
Tripledot Studios has made a defining move in its rise to the top of the mobile gaming industry, acquiring AppLovin’s mobile game studio portfolio for approximately $800 million. The strategic acquisition marks a pivotal shift in the global gaming landscape, placing the London-based developer among the top five independent mobile gaming companies by revenue worldwide.
The deal—structured as a 50/50 mix of cash and equity—not only deepens Tripledot’s reach into critical markets like the U.S. and Asia but also strengthens its operational capabilities across product development, marketing, and AI-driven game optimization. As part of the agreement, AppLovin will become a minority shareholder in Tripledot, symbolizing a new phase of collaboration between two major players in the mobile gaming ecosystem.
Scaling Up to Global Leadership
Founded in 2017 by Lior Shiff, Akin Babayigit, and Eyal Chameides, Tripledot has rapidly grown from a promising upstart into a powerhouse in casual mobile gaming. Known for hits like Woodoku, Solitaire.com, Nut Sort, and Triple Tile, the company has been profitable since its second year. In 2023, it was named Europe’s fastest-growing company by the Financial Times.
Following the acquisition, Tripledot will operate 12 studios across 23 cities, supported by more than 2,500 employees and serving a user base of 25 million daily active players. With projected annual gross revenues nearing $2 billion, Tripledot is firmly establishing itself as a global force in mobile entertainment.
“This is a milestone moment for us,” said CEO Lior Shiff. “Acquiring AppLovin’s games portfolio propels us from being a high-performing challenger to a true global leader. We gain scale, a more diversified portfolio, and access to world-class talent. Most importantly, we’re doubling down on our mission to become the world’s most successful mobile game studio.”
Strategic Advantages: Diversification, Talent, and Scale
The acquisition brings with it three major strategic advantages:
- Game Portfolio Diversification: With no single game making up more than 10% of total net revenue, Tripledot now owns one of the most balanced portfolios in the industry. By merging AppLovin’s in-app purchase and advertising-based titles with its own, Tripledot strengthens its ability to reach broader audiences and apply advanced monetization strategies across genres.
- Global Talent Access: Tripledot’s expanded network spans major talent hubs across Europe, North America, and Asia, offering new capabilities in game design, AI, marketing, and user engagement. The integration of AppLovin’s studios means shared expertise and innovation that can enhance player experiences at scale.
- Instant Scale: With the addition of 10 studios and iconic game titles, Tripledot becomes one of the largest mobile game developers globally. This instant scale accelerates the company’s data science and machine learning initiatives, positioning it to deliver increasingly personalized and engaging gameplay.
Studios and Titles Joining Tripledot
Tripledot will acquire the following studios, each bringing their own successful IPs to the table:
- Lion Studios – Hexa Sort, Wordle!, Found It
- PeopleFun – Wordscapes, Bricks n Balls
- Belka Games – Clockmaker, Train of Hope
- Zenlife Games – Cooking Madness, Word Connect
- Leyi – West Game, Mecha Fire
- Magic Tavern – Project Makeover, Matchington Mansion
- Athena Studio – Woody Block Puzzle, Woody 99
- Clipwire Games – The Price is Right Bingo, Bingo Story
- Zeroo Gravity – Cash Tornado, Jackpot Masters Slots
- Machine Zone – Mobile Strike, Game of War
These acquisitions add not only high-performing titles but also deep expertise in live operations, user acquisition, and monetization strategy.
AppLovin’s Strategic Exit from Game Development
AppLovin CEO Adam Foroughi reflected on the company’s evolution in a statement: “We’ve never been a game developer at heart. Our focus has always been on building tools that support the ecosystem. Selling our games business to Tripledot allows these studios to thrive under leaders who are deeply passionate about creating games.”
Europe’s Leadership in Mobile Gaming
This acquisition reaffirms Europe’s status as a major hub for mobile gaming innovation. Tripledot now joins the ranks of continental success stories like Supercell, King, and Rovio—pushing the boundaries of what European companies can achieve in the global gaming market.
Pending regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close by early summer 2025. The Raine Group and BofA Securities acted as financial advisors to Tripledot Studios, with legal counsel provided by Latham & Watkins. AppLovin was advised by Aream & Co and legal counsel from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
With this transformative acquisition, Tripledot Studios is not just expanding—it’s rewriting the playbook for what a modern mobile game company can be.
