Thunderful Group Acquires Jurassic World Aftermath Developer

Thunderful Group – which comprises Image & Form (SteamWorld, The Gunk), Zoink (Lost in Random, Fe), and a publishing arm – has acquired Coatsink, creators of Jurassic World Aftermath, Esper, and more.A press release reveals that Thunderful Group will pay £23 million (approximately $29.7 million USD) upfront, with earn-out components potentially raising the sale price to a maximum of £65.5 million ($84.8 million).

Coatsink is a UK-based developer/publisher which has specialised somewhat in VR games. It’s developed Jurassic World Aftermath, Esper, and Esper 2, as well as supported development of Gang Beasts and Kingdom: Two Crowns. It’s also published the likes of Cake Bash, Phogs, Get Packed, and Onward. Coatsink is currently working on 5 announced and unannounced projects. It will remain an independent studio after the acquisition.

Thunderful made the acquisition in order to expand its games segment. “The guys at Coatsink are just as playful and serious as we are. When getting to know Tom, Paul and the others, it was obvious that we share the same outlook on what should define games. We both develop and publish great games. Although there’s the sea between us we’re like minded and have grown in the same direction over the years. I think it’s fair to say that Thunderful and Coatsink are pretty similar to each other”, said CEO Brjann Sigurgeirsson to IGN.

Thunderful was set up in 2018, initially to bring Image & Form and Zoink into one company, and the two best friends that run each company.

Joe Skrebels is IGN’s Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.