Focus Home Interactive Acquires 'Metal Slug Tactics' Studio Leiker

Fifth studio to be picked up by the publisher recently

by Damien McFerran Mon 14th Feb 2022

Focus Home Interactive has acquired the French developer behind the upcoming Metal Slug Tactics, it has been announced.

Leiker Studio joins the likes of Dotemu (Streets of Rage 4, Windjammers 2), Douze-Dixiémes (Shady Part of Me), Streum On (Space Hulk: Deathwing) and Deck 13, all of which were purchased by Focus Home Interactive over the past two years.

The sum paid for Leiker Studio has not been disclosed.

Leiker is based in Paris and currently comprises around 20 staff. It released Roguelords in September of last year but is perhaps best known for being given the licence to work on SNK's famous Metal Slug series. Dotemu will be handling publishing duties for Metal Gear Tactics, which is due out sometime this year.

Leiker president and founder Aurélien Loos had this to say about the news:

We are happy to join the Focus Group because it is an important step for the growth of our studio. This acquisition validates our multi-production strategy and will allow us to reach new qualitative and creative heights. This is a great recognition for the work accomplished by our teams over the past several years.

Focus president Christophe Nobileau added:

We are constantly looking for new talents capable of growing and supporting the ambitions of our Group, and Leikir Studio, headed by Aurélien Loos, is a choice acquisition to achieve this objective.

[source gamesindustry.biz]

Damien has been writing professionally about tech and video games since 2007 and oversees all of Hookshot Media's sites from an editorial perspective. He's also the editor of Time Extension, the network's newest site, which – paradoxically – is all about gaming's past glories.

1
steizgr8
Mon 14th Feb 2022

I've been hearing a lot of good things about Focus Home Interactive, mostly around a Plague Tale.
Didn't realise they owned dotemu as well.
Seems to be building itself up into an extremely quality company that's not afraid to take risks on interesting ideas.
Ones to watch.

2
nessisonett
Mon 14th Feb 2022

@steizgr8 It’s more that they just seem to have deep pockets. Stuff like A Plague’s Tale weren’t developed by them, just published.

3
Gasarakii
Mon 14th Feb 2022

Either way I’m very excited to get my hands on this game. Hope it comes out late Spring or early Summer as I have a feeling later this year might be a bit packed.

4
SwitchForce
Mon 14th Feb 2022

Still waiting for the game.

5
Welshland
Mon 14th Feb 2022

I'm torn between this and Advance Wars

6
Welshland
Mon 14th Feb 2022

@nessisonett are you the same chap from the Amazon Forums ways back when??

7
Funneefox
Mon 14th Feb 2022

As long as FH have learned not to be d*cks anymore I don’t mind this

8
nessisonett
Mon 14th Feb 2022

@Welshland I don’t think so? I’ve only really been around on here to be honest.

9
Welshland
Mon 14th Feb 2022

@nessisonett ah fair enough, there was a guy who went by the name of Ness so assumed it may have been you

10
Serpenterror
Mon 14th Feb 2022

Can't wait for this game and Metal Gear Tactics which they mention here and honestly wasn't just a spelling mistake. Hopefully this redeem Konami's reputation.

11
ATaco
Mon 14th Feb 2022

When I think of Focus Home I think of good B tier gaming experiences. Not quite AAA but not quite indie either.

12
Dirty0814
Mon 14th Feb 2022

@nessisonett @steizgr8 yea but they have published a bunch of games. Saving their money to buy these companies so they can take their publishing company further. Smart business really and all while keeping the staff.

13
Troll_Decimator
Tue 15th Feb 2022

@steizgr8 Focus Home Interactive have always been funding interesting games. Their games were lacking the budget for the ambition they had for years, but lately they have increased the quality a lot and are getting more towards AAA. Definitely a company to watch.