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Copenhagen-based Nordisk Games has increased its shareholding in Swedish game studio Star Stable Entertainment, creators of the world’s first – and only – multiplayer role-playing horse adventure game, Star Stable Online. The purchase of additional shares from existing shareholders means that Nordisk Games’ stake in the company has increased to close to 57%. Star Stable Online is the world’s top-ranked horse game, and it recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Nordisk Games is owned by the entertainment company Nordisk Film, which is a part of Egmont, a leading Nordic media group. In recent years Nordisk Games has built a high growth portfolio of minority and majority-owned game studios that includes Avalanche Studios Group, Supermassive Games and MercurySteam.
Launched in 2011, Star Stable Online is a unique game that’s turned MMO convention on its head, creating a horse-themed game catering to girls and young women. Each month, more than 1.4 million players from 180 countries spend time in a world populated by other riders and a colourful cast of characters. Its magical fantasy storylines, challenging horseback quests, and social gameplay has earned it a reputation as a destination for girl gamers who want to socialize and make friends online.
“Nordisk Games has been such a positive influence on the studio, and their purchase of additional shares is a big endorsement of everything we’ve done so far and our plans for the future. What is so great about Nordisk Games’ approach is that they are not interested in controlling what we do, but rather, helping us in the long term to achieve something special. That’s why we are all looking forward to continuing the great working relationship we have,” said Johan Sjöberg, CEO at Star Stable Entertainment.
“What we love about Johan and the team at Star Stable Entertainment is how they have stayed true to their vision to create a game that’s so different to anything else on the market. Not only creating a unique game but then expanding the Star Stable universe into animation, books and more,” said Mikkel Weider, Managing Director of Nordisk Games. “We like to say that we want to work with studios that have broad and bold visions; having just celebrated the 10th anniversary of Star Stable Online, I can’t think of a studio that better embodies this approach.”
