However,” he continued, “there are skill sets within Strategy First that are applicable to Empire. “They have been fairly niche in the past, whereas Empire is a more fully fledged publisher.” “Most likely Strategy First will be left to its own devices,” commented Kabatznik. Given the diversity of Empire's console and budget game offerings compared to the relative niche catalogue of Strategy First, Kabatznik explained that he intends to keep the companies separate.
FLATOUT 2 PUBLISHERS PC
We we need to break out of the strategy PC niche, and in the short term term I see us being publishers of casual games that feed into our strengths in digital platforms.”Īnother of Silverstar's video game acquisitions came in October 2006 with the purchase of European publisher Empire Interactive ( FlatOut 2, Taito Legends). I can see Strategy First getting involved in the casual games market, before moving to bigger platforms. When questioned as to the possibility of releasing titles on services such as Xbox Live Arcade, for example, the executive noted: “We are looking at it, but not in the short turn. Interestingly, while Strategy First is recognized for its strategic offerings, Kabatznik noted that the company is entertaining the idea of expanding into the casual games space, as well as other platforms. In addition, we have spoken to retailers and members of the community, and are discovering that because the DS market is so large, there is an appetite for these sorts of games.” Kabatznik also offered no presumptions that these games will be anything more than niche releases for the DS, noting, “These games might not be the most popular releases, or appeal to everyone out there, but we believe there is a place for them in the market.
FLATOUT 2 PUBLISHERS PORTABLE
“These games will be adapted for the DS market, and will feature gameplay that is modified to suit the portable market as well as the capabilities of the DS handheld,” noted the CEO, adding, “We believe the DS market is large enough and that there is a significant niche within the game space for these sorts of strategy games.” Kabatznik reveals that the company also plans to ship Jagged Alliance 3 and Disciples II for the PC later this year, and that Strategy First's efforts for the DS handheld will continue beyond these two releases, with Jagged Alliance DS to follow in the next six months as well. Since then, the company has gone on to expand beyond its traditional niche PC strategy game borders to include digital distribution, as well as a pair of recently announced Nintendo DS titles - Disciples II DS and Warlords DS. One of these very game companies is Strategy First, which was rescued from bankruptcy by Silverstar Holdings in April 2005.
We think that there is a very real opportunity to combine businesses for reasonable prices in order to give us the advantage of being larger within the game space.”
He added: “With the big companies consolidating into giants, small to medium sized companies have had a hard time getting attention in terms of acquisitions.
When questioned on Silverstar Holdings' plans for the video game space, Kabatznik was enthusiastic about growth, even alluding to possible acquisitions in the future, commenting: “In the long term, we think that there is a definite opportunity for us to acquire middle market game publishers from within the $5 to 50 million revenue space.” What's the next move for the diversified South African entrepreneur whose public-traded company has previously invested in semi-conductor company Magnolia Broadband, and even recently sold an interest in a fantasy sports website? Gamasutra caught up with Kabatznik to find out. Silverstar Holdings' Clive Kabatznik has been making an intriguing play into game publishing of late, purchasing both North America's Strategy First ( Disciples) from bankruptcy court and the UK's Empire Interactive ( FlatOut) for a $7.2 million deal, both in the past two years.
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