Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Riccardo Zacconi, the man who sold Candy Crush 6 billion, “Now the dream of returning to Italy” – Il Sole 24 Ore

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This entry was posted on November 4, 2015 at 24:44.
The last change is the November 4, 2015 at 13:18.

5, $ 9 billion. And ‘the figure with which Riccardo Zacconi, 48, has just sold his company to the American giant King Digital Entertainment videogame Activision. One of the largest acquisitions in the games industry involves so an Italian, who in 12 years has built an empire in London. Candy Crush, the most popular game launched by King, has 480 million active players each month, from over 200 countries. And ‘the third largest community in the world after Facebook and Youtube.

“How do I feel? I am satisfied. It ‘was beautiful and right operation. For investors, for my business, for my team, “says Riccardo Zacconi to Sole24Ore.com” I know Activision for some time, but we started to study the deal, which will end next spring, only in recent months. ” In Italy is 22, Zacconi answers the phone while preparing the Earnings Call, a conference call with investors in which today will present and discuss the latest financial results.

Zacconi continue to work for Activision, after signing a cooperation agreement in the long term. “My life does not change. On the contrary. There will be more opportunities. We have a clear plan for the launch of new games, we can develop together a portfolio of very large, which will cover all types of fans. They are strong in the console and PC. We in the cabinet. My dream? However, it remains Italy. If I could go back right away. To do my part. To contribute to the greatness of our wonderful country. “

The story of Riccardo Zacconi from Rome. The son of a dentist, he studied economics and business in Italy, then he goes to Monaco. Driven by the adventure and the desire to do. For eight years ago the management consultant in Germany, specializes in the Internet. There he met his future partners. Five Swedish guys. All with a common denominator: zero money, many skills. He founded an Internet portal in 1999 and sells it. “I left for London and started working as a venture capitalist. I realized that the online gaming industry had the potential. With little savings is born King. Initially it was a society of online games. In 2011 we launched Candy Crush on Facebook. In 2012, on the mobile. ” Candy Crush is not the only game launched by Zacconi but worth a third of the revenues of King. Since last year, the company is listed on Wall Street.

To do it? “You need to bring on board the best people I know. Be patient, work hard and never give up. I never thought of giving up, despite the difficulties. I did not expect to get this far. I did not start thinking big. I made a step at a time, going from one goal to another. From another opportunity. “

If he had stayed in Italy going to make it? “It’s not the place that makes a big enterprise, but his team. We were six boys without money. But we had learned the trade. And we wanted to do. Of course Italy needs to invest more in digital. I’m fighting for this. I ask often to large companies such as Google, Facebook and Apple to open schools and computer facilities ICT development in our country. But I’m not opposed to brain drain. Going abroad is essential for learning. Who wants to make a technological enterprise devas go in Silicon Valley, London, Germany. You have to work for Google, for Facebook, for King. Learn everything and then get out. Build a team of people with experience and realize their dream business. “

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