OREANDA-NEWS. Mail.Ru Group announced the creation of a specialized investment division Mail.Ru Games Ventures. Within its framework, the company plans within the next two years to invest in the Russian and international projects in the field of games and game development 100 million dollars, 10 million of which has already been allocated for the next transaction.

Funding can count as the already established studios and publishers who need additional funds to scale and young professionals. To select the most comfortable interactions with each type of partners Mail.Ru Games Ventures plans to carry out investment activities of several types, including investments in exchange for royalties, and M&A. after Receiving the investment, partners will be able to attract Mail.Ru Group as a global publisher and to use the resources of the company in all key territories, including the assets of the international brand My.com.

"Gaming is a major priority for the group. Create Mail.Ru Games Ventures is a logical step in the development of the business, which will significantly increase the potential of the company in this direction. This project will significantly expand our investment platform Mail.Ru Group, allowing us to engage venture financing and to increase M&a activity in the gaming direction," — commented Boris Dobrodeyev, General Director (Russia) Mail.Ru Group.

"Mail.Ru Games Ventures will identify and develop promising international developments in the gaming industry, and promote the expansion of local products to the world market. We will not only invite the teams with financial support, but also to provide the necessary assistance in the development — in particular, to provide access to internal resources and services of the holding. Companies will be able to count on comprehensive support of existing software solutions, extensive analytical data and unique marketing opportunities at the international level", — said Ilya Karpinsky, Director Mail.Ru Games Ventures.

The playing area Mail.Ru Group is a leader in the Eastern European market of online entertainment and the largest local publisher of mobile and multiplayer client games in Russia and abroad. The company's portfolio of more than 50 game projects with a total audience of more than 100 million users worldwide. In 2016, revenue from MMO games on a comparable basis grew by 21.2% compared to the previous year and reached 11 of 390 million rubles.