Rymarz Zdort Maruta advises Techland and its founder Paweł Marchewka on strategic partnership with Tencent 

We are pleased to announce that we advised Techland S.A. (“Techland”) and its founder Paweł Marchewka in connection with the sale of a controlling stake in Techland to Tencent Holdings Limited (“Tencent”). As a result of the transaction, the companies have entered into a strategic partnership and Tencent, by acquiring approximately 67% of the shares in Techland, has become the majority shareholder. The Polish gaming studio, however, has not signed over the rights to its intellectual property, and retains full freedom in developing and creating projects.

Techland is a renowned game developer, distributor, and global publisher for all leading platforms, including PC, Sony PlayStation, and the Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One X. Techland’s most popular games are Dying Light 2 Stay Human, Dying Light and the Call of Juarez series. Comprising over 450 professionals across three offices in Poland, the company is committed to delivering unforgettable experiences and using the latest technology for innovative entertainment, which includes the proprietary C-Engine.

Tencent is a world-leading internet and technology company that develops innovative products and services to improve the quality of life of people around the world. Founded in 1998 with its headquarters in Shenzhen, China, Tencent’s guiding principle is to use technology for good. Its communication and social services connect more than one billion people around the world, helping them to keep in touch with friends and family, access transportation, pay for daily necessities, and even be entertained. Tencent also publishes some of the world’s most popular video games and other high-quality digital content, enriching interactive entertainment experiences for people around the globe. Tencent offers a range of services such as cloud computing, advertising, FinTech, and other enterprise services to support their clients’ digital transformation and business growth. Tencent has been listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 2004.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to participate in the largest investment in the Polish video game market, and to support video game developer, Techland, and its founder, Paweł Marchewka, in establishing a strategic partnership with Tencent. Techland joining the ranks of companies developing under Tencent’s purview is a chance for the company to be part of the world’s top gaming companies,” said Paweł Zdort, a managing partner at Rymarz Zdort Maruta.

“The addition of Tencent to Techland’s shareholding will support its wide-ranging growth strategy. We sincerely congratulate our client on this success and thank them for allowing our law firm to participate in the largest M&A transaction on the Polish market concluded in 2023, and the largest M&A transaction in the gaming industry segment in CEE,” summarises Jacek Zawadzki, partner in the Corporate/M&A practice of Rymarz Zdort Maruta.

The transaction was led jointly by Paweł Zdort and Jacek Zawadzki, both partners in the Corporate/M&A practice of Rymarz Zdort Maruta. The transaction team also included Małgorzata Banaszkiewicz (senior associate) and Szymon Rutecki (associate).