O&A represents Virtuos in purchase of Venice digital animation studio CounterPunch

O&A, P.C., represented Singapore-based digital content production company Virtuos Holdings Pte. Ltd. (“Virtuos”)  to purchase Venice, California, digital animation agency CounterPunch Studios (IMPD Productions, Inc.), marking Virtuos’ first acquisition of a U.S. – based team.

“We’re so happy to welcome CounterPunch Studios to the Virtuos family,” said Gilles Langourieux, Virtuos CEO. “Expanding our presence in North America is an important step in our mission to provide the best talent and the best technology to our partners around the world.”

Dan Offner, managing partner of O&A, added, “we were delighted to represent Virtuos on its first U.S. acquisition, and to assist Gilles on the execution of his strategy to become one of the leading game developers in the interactive entertainment industry.”

Offner led the deal team that represented Virtuos, with assistance from Kevin Pasternak, a senior associate at O&A. 

Under terms of the acquisition, CounterPunch — which specializes in digital facial and body modeling, look development, and animation — will continue to operate under its own brand. The production studio has worked on numerous top game titles, including Mortal Kombat 11, Uncharted Lost Legacy, and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Its television work includes Supergirl and Titans

“From our first meetings, we knew that we’d found a home with Virtuos,” said Kay Arutyunyan, President of CounterPunch.  “Both in terms of our skills, and our company culture and values, the team at CounterPunch quickly saw how we could complement and grow within Virtuos, while stepping up our ambitions to work on the most exciting projects with the biggest players in the industry. We’re proud to be industry leaders in our field of character modeling, rigging, and animation, and can’t wait to bring our unique approach and tools to Virtuos’ partners around the world. We’re excited to begin our next chapter as a part of the Virtuos family.”

Langourieux added, “Kay and her team provide a level of expertise and energy which we can’t wait to bring to our partners.”

Virtuos, founded in 2004,  is a production company specializing in video game development, movie production services and 3D art production. The firm operates in Singapore, China, Vietnam, Canada, France, Japan, South Korea, Ireland and the United States with a staff of about 1,800. 

With services ranging from high quality concept and illustration art to character modeling and animation, Virtuos’ expansion ensures a greater range of skills and depth of talent, as well as overall expertise for partners in nearly every time zone. Today’s announcement is an exciting step forward in Virtuos’ mission to provide full end-to-end co-development services to partners in the growing global digital entertainment industries.

“The expanded Virtuos team with the addition of Kay and Counterpunch in Los Angeles are really poised to leap frog to the next level in the interactive entertainment business,” Offner said. 

About O&A

O&A is an elite team of attorneys committed to helping clients achieve their objectives — efficiently and effectively. The firm represents some of the biggest companies in technology and interactive entertainment, as well as some of the world’s most innovative entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies. Founded by Dan Offner, O&A specializes in venture and corporate law for technology and content. For more information, please visit www.oandapc.com.

About Virtuos

Founded in 2004, Virtuos is a leading video game development company with operations in Singapore, China, Vietnam, Canada, France, Japan, South Korea, Ireland and the United States. Virtuos specializes in game development and 3D art production for AAA consoles, PC and mobile titles, enabling its partners to generate additional revenue and achieve operational efficiency. For over a decade, Virtuos has successfully delivered high-quality content for more than 1,300 projects, and its partners include 18 of the top 20 digital entertainment companies worldwide. More information at  www.virtuosgames.com

About CounterPunch Studios

With a decade of experience in Los Angeles, CounterPunch offers industry leading facial and body modeling, rigging, look development and animation services, utilizing cutting edge proprietary tools. As a trusted and well-recognized name within the video game development community, CounterPunch has recently provided support for entries in iconic franchises including The Last Of Us Part II and Mortal Kombat XI, as well as other exciting yet unannounced next gen titles.