Behaviour Interactive Acquires 7 Days to Die Studio, Bolstering Horror IP Portfolio

Behaviour Interactive, the Canadian developer renowned for "Dead by Daylight," has announced the acquisition of The Fun Pimps, the Texas-based studio responsible for the popular zombie survival game "7 Days to Die."

While the financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, Behaviour CEO Rémi Racine stated that this move is a significant step towards establishing a diverse portfolio of horror intellectual properties (IPs) within the gaming industry. "Dead by Daylight," Behaviour's flagship asynchronous horror multiplayer game, has already achieved remarkable success, selling over 60 million copies in nearly a decade.

"7 Days to Die," a critically acclaimed zombie survival game, launched into Early Access in 2013 and has since sold over 20 million units globally.

Isabelle Mocquard, Behaviour's VP of Product and Executive Producer, lauded "7 Days to Die's" impressive sales figures. She particularly highlighted the game's sustained player engagement and continuous growth, a rare feat in today's highly competitive market where even major new releases often struggle to maintain attention and longevity.

Racine further emphasized that "7 Days to Die" is a recognized and stable IP with a continuously growing fanbase. He sees the acquisition as an investment in a beloved horror title with a strong foundation, poised for further improvement.

Mocquard drew parallels between the growth strategies of both studios, noting that both "Dead by Daylight" and "7 Days to Die" achieved success gradually through consistent development and strong community ties. She explained that this shared philosophy of building success through consistency, resilience, and a deep connection with their communities fostered a strong cultural alignment, making the acquisition a "great fit" as Behaviour understands the commitment required for long-term game evolution and community building.

The Fun Pimps' co-founders, Richard and Joel Huenink, decided to sell after evaluating growth options for their studio, which had organically expanded from two to 70 employees without external investment. Richard Huenink clarified that while they had considered various options, the choice of Behaviour Interactive was driven by finding a "good fit" rather than purely financial motives. He stated that Behaviour genuinely invests in their vision and is committed to helping them achieve their goals.

Amidst a generally cautious M&A market in the gaming sector, Huenink highlighted the unique "island model" offered by Behaviour. This approach allows The Fun Pimps to benefit from Behaviour's support while retaining operational autonomy, essentially offering the best of both independence and acquisition. Huenink further elaborated that Behaviour aims to augment their existing culture and philosophy, not replace it. He noted that Behaviour, despite its size, maintains an indie spirit as an independently owned company, aligning well with The Fun Pimps' values.

Mocquard reiterated Behaviour's commitment to empowering The Fun Pimps to pursue their creative vision while providing strategic support for "7 Days to Die's" future. She expressed admiration for The Fun Pimps' creativity and clear vision for "7 Days to Die," highlighting Behaviour's role in providing robust production expertise, nearly a decade of live service experience from "Dead by Daylight," and marketing support to expand the game's audience.

Strategic IP Acquisition Over New Creation

While the gaming M&A landscape has generally slowed compared to the surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, Behaviour Interactive has actively pursued strategic acquisitions. In 2023, the company acquired SockMonkey Studios and CodeGlue, and established Behaviour UK South with former AntiMatter Games staff. The subsequent year saw the acquisition of Fly Studio and Red Hook Studios, known for "Darkest Dungeon."

Racine acknowledged the inherent difficulty in creating new IP, explaining that Behaviour's core strategy revolves around partnering with existing IPs that can thrive with additional support. He emphasized that this collaborative approach, as seen with The Fun Pimps, allows both entities to achieve greater success than they would individually. While Behaviour has one new IP in development and remains open to future opportunities, their current focus is firmly on integrating The Fun Pimps.

Huenink commended Behaviour's thoughtful and strategic acquisition approach, contrasting it with less strategic "buy-to-grow" acquisitions observed during the COVID pandemic, highlighting Behaviour's careful and multi-faceted considerations.

Nathan Sellyn, Behaviour's Deputy CEO, noted that the current M&A market contraction led the company to refine its acquisition criteria. He explained their focus on proven horror IPs where Behaviour could add significant value, seeking opportunities for synergistic growth. Sellyn also emphasized the importance of cultural alignment, stating that by narrowing their criteria, they discovered more suitable acquisition opportunities.

The Flourishing Horror Genre

The horror genre is currently experiencing a boom, with major releases like "Silent Hill F" and "Resident Evil Requiem" (the latter significantly outselling "Resident Evil Village" at launch) dominating headlines. Concurrently, the indie horror scene flourishes with titles such as "Poppy Playtime" sustaining long-term popularity.

Sellyn described the current era as "phenomenal for horror," noting a constant stream of indie hits like "No, I'm Not a Human" and "Mouthwashing," alongside strong traditional survival horror entries such as "Silent Hill F," "Cronos: The New Dawn," and "Resident Evil 9." He proudly asserted that Behaviour's portfolio, including "Dead by Daylight" with its decade-long "museum of horror" and the "Darkest Dungeon" franchise, effectively spans a wide spectrum of the genre.

Looking ahead, The Fun Pimps plans to significantly expand "7 Days to Die" while simultaneously exploring new creative projects. Huenink expressed enthusiasm for the increased resources in art, production, and community management, which will accelerate their ambitious plans for "7 Days to Die." He mentioned numerous "amazing things" planned for the game, which Behaviour is equally excited about, aiming to deliver these updates to players with greater speed and reliability.

Mocquard concluded by stating that while specific details are still in the early stages of integration, "7 Days to Die" will continue to receive planned support and updates. The team remains dedicated to enhancing the survival sandbox experience, with Behaviour working to accelerate these efforts over time.