Playstack, a renowned publisher known for games like Balatro, Abiotic Factor, and The Rise of the Golden Idol, is on the verge of being acquired by Integrated Media Company (IMC), the parent company of Fandom and Gamespot, among other well-known brands. The news of this acquisition was first reported by Game Developer.
TruFin, the current owner of Playstack, has tentatively agreed to sell its 84.5% stake to IMC. The sale is contingent upon a shareholder vote, with TruFin recommending that shareholders approve the deal.
If the sale goes through, TruFin stands to gain approximately £112.4 million in net cash proceeds.
Harvey Elliott, the founder and CEO of Playstack, shared his thoughts on the proposed acquisition in a post on Playstack’s website dated May 22.
“I am thrilled to announce that Playstack is embarking on a new chapter with a new investment partner. This transition signifies a change in ownership rather than a change in our identity. Our team, strategy, and dedication to publishing top-tier indie games will remain unchanged,” Elliott stated.
“For now, it will be business as usual. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to TruFin for their invaluable partnership over the past seven years, which has led us to this exciting new phase. I am eager to unveil more about our future plans soon.”
In a statement released on May 21, TruFin CEO James van den Bergh expressed his views on the impending sale of Playstack:
“We view the divestment of Playstack as a significant milestone for TruFin, showcasing our disciplined approach to capital allocation and value creation. It has been a pleasure collaborating with the Playstack team, and we look forward to witnessing their future achievements.
“IMC provides an excellent platform for Playstack’s onward journey, and we wish the IMC team all the best for the future.”
Earlier this year, TruFin highlighted Playstack’s impressive success rate, noting that 85% of the publisher’s games have yielded positive returns. Playstack generated £55.3 million in gross revenue in 2025, marking a 24% year-on-year increase and accounting for 83.9% of TruFin’s total revenue.
IMC serves as a vehicle for assets and is backed by private equity firm TPG. According to its website, IMC aims to acquire fundamentally sound companies and collaborate with existing management teams to drive sustainable value growth.
IMC also boasts ownership of popular gaming media outlet Gamespot, wiki platform Fandom, game distribution platform Fandom, and YouTube brand Screen Junkies, in addition to other entertainment, football, and ecommerce brands.
Harvey Elliott, head of Playstack, discussed the success of Balatro in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz last year, noting, “What has changed for us is that it’s given us a bit of confidence.”