Humble Bundle, the online store known for selling packages at pay-what-you-want prices and donating some of its the proceeds to charities, has been acquired by video games and entertainment website IGN.
With IGN's purchase of Humble Bundle, should its customers expect sweeping changes to the service? Or will things remain mostly the same?
What Is Humble Bundle All About?
Humble Bundle started with a simple package of indie games sold to raise money for charity in 2010. Since then, the online store has grown to also include books and other forms of media in its bundles, which typically follow some sort of theme.
Customers who receive a Humble Bundle package are given the choice of paying how much money they think the bundle deserves. They can also choose how much of the money they pay goes to charities, the game developers, and the Humble Bundle organizer.
The website has had more than 10 million customers, and continuing its philanthropic roots, has raised and donated more than $106 million for charities such as the American Red Cross and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Humble Bundle now offers seasonal sales that mimic Steam, and also a subscription service that provides customers with new games monthly. The company has also dived into the business of publishing games, with one of its most recent projects being the 3D platformer A Hat in Time.
Will Things Change For Humble Bundle?
"We chose IGN because they really understand our vision, share our passion for games, and believe in our mission to promote awesome digital content while helping charity. I can't think of a better partner than IGN to help Humble Bundle continue our quest," said Humble Bundle CEO and cofounder Jeffrey Rosen in a statement.
Coming as good news to its customers, Humble Bundle will continue to be an independent entity, with IGN not planning to change how the online store does its business.
"If it's not broken, don't fix it," said IGN executive VP Mitch Galbraith. If there will be a change to Humble Bundle, it will be that IGN will provide Humble Bundle with additional resources for the online store to keep its business growing. This likely means more bundles and more proceeds will be donated to charity.
There are still some lingering questions, such as the terms of the transaction for IGN to acquire Humble Bundle and how IGN will handle coverage of games that Humble Bundle will sell and publish. However, from the early looks of it, the move by IGN to buy Humble Bundle is a big win for the companies, the customers, and the charities.
