Case study: FuturLab

The challenge

During the pandemic the market for ‘games that soothe’ really took off, with FuturLab’s PowerWash Simulator enjoying huge success and the studio subsequently becoming a leader in the genre. We advised FuturLab’s founders on the sale of the studio to Miniclip, an international digital games and entertainment company looking to step into the PC/console space.

Our approach

This deal combined our M&A and video games expertise. Acting on the sell side M&A process from the beginning, the starting point was a pre-sale legal audit of the business, undertaken in conjunction with Level Up Partners. We then advised on the legal terms of the offers put forward by the various interested parties, with Miniclip ultimately selected. We negotiated the sale and purchase agreement, the tax schedule, provided employment advice to the key managers, and dealt with the exercise of multiple option holders.

The outcome

The deal provides FuturLab with the opportunity to grow under the Miniclip banner, enabling it to build on the success of PowerWash Simulator and continue to create other great games. Kirsty Rigden, FuturLab CEO, said:

“Working with Lewis Silkin’s excellent and approachable team helped make the experience incredibly smooth and reassuring. The team worked above and beyond to push things forward, providing clear and un-jargon-led feedback and practical and sound advice; they were also lovely and empathetic.”