The Ellison family, led by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, has been actively expanding its footprint in the entertainment and gaming industries through significant acquisitions and investments.
Acquisition of 24 Bit Games by Annapurna Interactive
In November 2023, Annapurna Interactive, a division of Annapurna Pictures founded by Larry Ellison’s daughter, Megan Ellison, acquired South African game studio 24 Bit Games. This marked Annapurna Interactive’s first acquisition, aiming to bolster its development capabilities and global presence in the gaming sector. 24 Bit Games, established in 2012 by CEO Luke Lamothe, specializes in porting and co-development, contributing to titles such as “Neon White,” “Cocoon,” “Maquette,” and “A Memoir Blue.”
The acquisition allows 24 Bit Games to expand its development team and proprietary technology toolkits while continuing its operations under Annapurna’s umbrella.
Ellison Family’s Investment in Paramount Global
The Ellison family has also made significant investments in the media industry. In 2024, they invested approximately $6 billion into a deal involving Skydance Media’s merger with Paramount Global, with private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners contributing an additional $2 billion.
This merger positions David Ellison, Larry Ellison’s son and CEO of Skydance Media, to assume control of the combined entity, overseeing assets such as CBS, Showtime, and MTV.
The deal reflects the family’s strategic move to integrate media and technology, leveraging their expertise to enhance Paramount’s content delivery and technological infrastructure.
These strategic acquisitions and investments underscore the Ellison family’s commitment to expanding their influence in the entertainment and gaming industries, aligning with their vision of integrating cutting-edge technology with high-quality content creation.
