Fullscreen is expanding its digital-media business today with the acquisition of gamer website ScrewAttack. Coming on the heels of Disney’s pending acquisition of Maker Studios for $500 million, the deal shows that digital media is a hot category.
The Los Angeles-based Fullscreen has an audience of 30 million unique viewers a month. With the acquisition of Dallas-based ScrewAttack, it will add an online destination for video game news, game trailers, original shows, and a gamer community. ScrewAttack has a YouTube channel with 830,000 subscribers, a website with more than five million monthly views, and 1.7 million unique users a month.
[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":1242952,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"games,","session":"B"}']Fullscreen recently acquired mobile video startup Supernova. Under the deal, ScrewAttack employees will join Fullscreen and remain in Dallas. It will focus on being an independent voice for gaming, both online and offline.
ScrewAttack became popular being more than just a gaming website; it created a gaming business. ScrewAttack started its SGC Conference in 2009 to host gamers in a multiday slumber party celebrating video games and pop culture.
“Our mission has always been to produce and feature the most entertaining gaming content in the world, whether it be video game news, trailers, gameplay, or original content,” said Craig Skistimas, the founder of ScrewAttack, in a statement. “Together with Fullscreen, we can amplify our efforts and interact with an even larger part of the gaming community to feature content that excites, pleases and entertains.”
Fullscreen has more than 365 million subscribers and 3 billion video views a month. It was founded in January 2011 by its chief executive George Strompolos, the co-creator of the original YouTube partner program. Fullscreen’s talent network includes The Fine Brothers, filmmaker Devin Super Tramp, supergroup O2L, and recording artist Lindsey Stirling. The latter’s Crystallize dubstep music video has 90 million views.
Other digital companies are also expanding in games. Newegg is starting today a new game news and reviews site dubbed GameCrate.
“The only way to get credibility with gamers is by truly understanding the art form of games, which is something that can’t be faked. ScrewAttack isn’t just another gaming site or channel, it’s a group of people who are extremely passionate about the space they’re in and it’s that knowledge and dedication that’s allowed them to build an entirely authentic gaming community,” said Larry Shapiro, Fullscreen’s head of talent, in a statement. “While they have a successful YouTube network filled with great content, they also have a significant audience on their website and through their successful SGC conference which brings thousands of gamers together each year. We believe ScrewAttack’s unique voice and approach to gaming news, reviews and pop culture will be a great way to establish a consumer-facing brand for game-centric content.”
Above: Fullscreen ScrewAttack