German gaming giant the Gauselmann Group has expanded further still, after its slots developer Blueprint Gaming acquired UK-based counterpart Livewire Gaming.

In the latest move to strengthen the organisations development base, this latest purchase enhances its position “as a leading supplier of slots to all sectors of the gaming industry”.

Doncaster-based Livewire is lauded as having built a strong reputation throughout the category C, B3, D and B4 games for the UK market, many of which have been developed in collaboration with Blueprint Gaming.

As part of this agreement, Livewire will remain an independent studio focused on the development of land-based games under the leadership of existing director Alan Claypole.

Becoming the latest addition to the Blueprint family, the acquisition is to said to provide a significant boost for the firm’s land-based development capabilities, particularly in producing games for the category C market.

Welcoming Livewire to its family of gaming studios, this latest manoeuvre follows recent acquisitions of Project Coin and Games Warehouse, which have allowed the company to broaden its game design resources.

“We would like to officially welcome Alan and his team to the Gauselmann Group,” commented Sascha Blodau, UK general manager for the Gauselmann Group.

“Livewire and Blueprint have had a close relationship for many years, so this merger makes perfect sense for both parties. We look forward to working with Livewire and building on our already successful partnership.”

Jo Purvis, director of marketing and relationships at Blueprint Gaming, spoke to CasinoBeats recently as game studios increasingly introduce in-game marketing tools to help attract new customers and retain players for longer periods.

In the latest roundtable looking at today’s competitive casino marketplace Purvis spoke alongside Nir Elbaz, CEO of iSoftBet, Andy Harris, CEO of DWG UK, Anthony Singer, CEO of High 5 Games and Renata Banyar, head of promotions at Pragmatic Play.