In game app-development platform Overwolf acquires CurseForge assets from Twitch to get into mods
Overwolf, the in-game app development toolkit and marketplace, has acquired Twitch's CurseForge assets to provide a marketplace for modifications to compliment its app development business.
Since its launch in 2009, developers have used Overwolf to build in-game applications for things like highlight clips, game performance monitoring and metrics, and strategic analysis. Some of these developers have managed to earn anywhere between $100,000 and $1 million per year off of revenue from app sales.
CurseForge is the embodiment of how fostering a community of creators around games generates value for both players and game developers," said Uri Marchand, Overwolf's chief executive officer, in a statement. As we move to onboard mods onto our platform, we're positioning Overwolf as the industry standard for building in-game creations."
It wouldn't be a stretch to think of the company as the Roblox for applications for gamers and now it's moving deeper into the gaming world with the acquisition of CurseForge. As the company makes its pitch to current CurseForge users - hoping that the mod developers will stick with the marketplace, they're offering to increase the revenue those developers will make by 50 percent.
Overwolf said it already has around 30,000 developers, who have built 90,000 mods and apps, on its platform already.
As a result of the acquisition, the CurseForge mod manager will move from being a Twitch client and become a standalone desktop app included Overwolf's suite of app offerings and the acquisition won't have any effect on existing tools and services.
We've been deeply impressed by the level of passion and collaboration in the CurseForge modding community," said Tim Aldridge, Director of Engineering, Gaming Communities at Twitch . CurseForge is an incredible asset for both creators and gamers. We are confident that the CurseForge community will thrive under Overwolf's leadership, thanks to their commitment to empowering developers."
The acquisition comes two years after Overwolf raised $16 million in a round of financing from Intel Capital, which had also partnered with the company on a $7 million fund to invest in app and mod developers for popular games.
Overwolf's position as a platform that serves millions of gamers, coupled with its partnership with top developers, means that Intel's investment will convert into more value for PC gamers worldwide," said John Bonini, VP and GM of VR, Esports and Gaming at Intel, in a statement at the time. Intel has always prioritized gamers with high performance, industry-leading hardware. This round of investment in Overwolf advances Intel's vision to deliver a holistic PC experience that will enhance the ways people interact with their favorite games on the software side as well."
Other investors in the company include Liberty Technology Venture Capital, the investment arm of the media and telecommunications company, Liberty Media.