Disney Adds Social Gaming Company

The Walt Disney Co. has acquired online social gaming developer Playdom in a deal worth $563 million. The acquisition adds to Disney’s digital gaming portfolio in one of the fastest growing segments in the gaming industry. Playdom game titles, including Social City, Market Street, and Bola, attract an estimated 42 million active players each mont. Disney sees great growth potential by combining its widely recognized brands and characters with Playdom’s talented team and capabilities, said Disney President and CEO Robert Iger. “This acquisition furthers our strategy of allocating capital to high-growth businesses that can benefit from our many characters, stories and brands, delivering them in a creatively compelling way to a new generation of fans on the platforms they prefer,” Iger said. Playdom will keep its headquarters in Mountain View. Mark R. Madler