GameWorks Acquired by Oomba

The assets of GameWorks Entertainment LLC are being acquired by social media and software development company Oomba Inc. Terms of the deal between the Chatsworth company, which operates combined restaurants, entertainment and gaming centers, and Oomba, in Irvine, were not disclosed. When the merger is complete the company will be known as Oomba GameWorks. GameWorks operates seven locations of its gaming and entertainment centers that combine classic and modern attractions, such as arcade games, bowling, billiards, laser tag and virtual reality, with a restaurant. Oomba creates interactive social networks for eSports tournaments, leagues and teams. With the GameWorks acquisition, the company plans to expand the total number of GameWorks locations and invite professional eSports teams to become the exclusive home teams of each facility. ESports is the live streaming of video game competitions. Oomba, in turn, is merging with Barington/Hilco Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company based in New York. GameWorks Chief Executive Greg Stevens said that he looked forward to leveraging the capital markets and operating as part of public company. “Both Barington Capital Group and Hilco Global have extensive experience advising consumer-focused businesses and this merger provides significant resources to support the planned development of a nationwide network of Oomba GameWorks locations,” Stevens said in a prepared statement.