Zynga pays $100M for Turkish cellphone card games

By Bahattin Gonultas and Dilara Zengin

ANKARA (AA) - U.S.-based game developer Zynga has agreed to acquire the mobile card game studio of Turkey's leading global cellphone gaming company Peak Games for $100 million.

In a statement on Wednesday, Zynga said: "The acquisition will strengthen Zynga’s casual card game portfolio with the addition of Peak Games’ successful mobile card games such as Spades Plus and Gin Rummy Plus, the largest spade and rummy mobile games in the world, as well as popular local Turkish games including 101 Okey Plus and Okey Plus."

Zynga said the sale of Peak Games will not result in a change in the shareholding structure of Turkish company.

Founded in 2007, Zynga Games has released many popular games on web and mobile platforms such as FarmVille, Zynga Poker, Words With Friends, Hit it Rich! Slots and CSR Racing. The California-based developer says at least one billion people have played Zynga games so far.

In addition to the U.S, Zynga has offices in Canada, the U.K, Ireland, India and Finland.

Monty Kerr, Senior Vice President of Games, Zynga said the acquisition will enhance the company's card-based audience.

"When combined with the recent growth of our forever franchise Zynga Poker and our Solitaire titles, at closing the addition of Peak Games’ mobile card games will give Zynga the world’s largest portfolio of mobile casual card games," Kerr underlined.

Istanbul-based Peak Games focuses on creating highly-rated mobile games including the top-10 grossing Toy Blast and the recently launched Toon Blast.

“Following this deal, we are very excited to focus on the continued growth of our core casual puzzle games business, including Toy Blast and Toon Blast, and introduce our highly-rated franchises to millions of new players around world," Peak Games’ Strategy Director Omer Inonu said.