Thiago de Freitas, CEO of the newly-formed OV Entertainment Group, believes the future of game development is rooted in South and Latin America. OV Entertainment has recently acquired Brazilian developer Kokku and Argentinian tech specialist 3OGS, aiming to create a unified group that can accelerate growth and provide resources to Latin American game companies.
This strategy seeks to leverage local expertise and culture, avoiding the dilution that comes from being absorbed by larger, non-local entities.
De Freitas, who founded Kokku, revealed that numerous acquisition offers led to the formation of OV Entertainment. Kokku is known for its contributions to AAA games like Horizon Forbidden West and Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War.
De Freitas emphasized the importance of understanding local culture, politics, and financial regulations to grow the business effectively in Latin America. This cultural insight is a core reason Kokku was never sold to external groups, opting instead to unite local game companies.
The acquisition of 3OGS strategically aims to uplift talented but resource-constrained companies. Co-CEO Pablo Navajas of 3OGS explained that becoming part of OV Entertainment aligns perfectly with their ambitions, opening up new opportunities for growth and participation in more complex projects.
This collaboration is expected to significantly accelerate their progress, providing access to investment and enabling the recruitment of larger teams.
OV Entertainment’s vision extends beyond gaming, aiming to explore film, TV, and other entertainment sectors. Despite its Latin American focus, the group is registered in the UK, which provides easier access to capital and a global operational framework.
Chief Strategy Officer Chris Bergstresser highlighted that they aim to maintain the operational independence of their companies, learning from the successes and mistakes of other large gaming groups.
De Freitas and Navajas emphasized the importance of preserving company culture and independence within OV Entertainment. They aim to function as a supportive entity rather than a controlling one, ensuring that brands and teams retain their autonomy.
This approach is designed to foster a thriving, culturally cohesive gaming industry in Latin America, speeding up growth and innovation that would have taken much longer independently.
