Gamebasics

Jeroen Derwort

Jeroen: "The story of Gamebasics commences in 2001, within the confines of my parents' attic. At the time, I was still attending school and opted to develop a football management game as a hobby: Online Soccer Manager. This game, centered around guiding your club through the football season as effectively as possible, gained traction, and soon the player base in the Netherlands experienced significant growth.

Together with my brother and business partner Frank Tijhuis, both of whom joined Gamebasics in 2005, we aimed to conquer the international market. It was a challenging endeavor, but the outcome spoke for itself; since 2001, approximately two to three hundred million people worldwide have played the game.

Due to the global success, external interest also emerged. A first acquisition attempt in 2014 fell through, but it prompted us to contemplate: evidently, our company holds value; what should be our next step? By that time, we had grown to around thirty to forty employees, rapidly evolving into a substantially different enterprise. Additionally, Frank - who has unfortunately since passed away - was grappling with health issues. Consequently, we resolved to make a concerted effort to capitalize on our success.

A first sales attempt in 2016 did not yield the desired outcome. Consequently, we embarked on a quest for a larger, more robust office to assist us in the acquisition. This led us to Rembrandt M&A. While lacking specific experience in the gaming industry, they possessed extensive expertise in intricate acquisitions. Collaborating closely with our management team, they swiftly grasped the requisite jargon and sector dynamics. The endeavor was indeed complex; we contended with a total of four shareholders, one consisting of four individuals and another of two. Aligning the interests of these parties proved to be a formidable challenge.

However, we ultimately succeeded. Our advisors, Erik—who incidentally plays Online Soccer Manager himself—and Roderick, have done a remarkable job in satisfying all those different individuals with their diverse interests. Make no mistake: for most people, a corporate sale is a life-changing event. In such situations, it is immensely beneficial to have a party by your side that not only possesses the necessary expertise but also commands authority. Additionally, they consistently maintained calm and clarity in navigating the complex, exciting game involving numerous stakeholders. As a result, the deal has been favorable for everyone involved.

I am also pleased with the eventual buyer, videogame developer Miniclip. Gamebasics was truly my brainchild. Apart from the favorable deal, I found it particularly important that they expressed a genuine ambition to further develop the company, with the existing staff. Moreover, the type of games they produce aligns very well with Online Soccer Manager; accessible games for a large audience, easily playable on mobile phones. Something I could not have imagined back in 2001, in the attic room at my parents' house.

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