On January 30, 2014, Zynga, the world's leading provider of social game services, announced its purchase of UK game-maker NaturalMotion for $527 million in cash and equity. NaturalMotion-a longtime client of the firm's-is best known for its mobile gaming successes such as Clumsy Ninja and CSR Racing game, which is currently among the top 100 highest-grossing mobile apps.
At closing, NaturalMotion's shareholders and vested option holders will receive an aggregate of $391 million in cash and approximately 39.8 million shares of Zynga Class A Common Stock. Approximately 11.6 million of the 39.8 million shares will be issued to continuing employees and will be subject to vesting over a three-year period. Further details of the transaction can be found at Zynga.com.
WilmerHale represented NaturalMotion in this deal, along with co-counsel Fenwick West. Senior Counsel Joe Pillman led the WilmerHale team.