MSM Enters Into Agreement to Merge With RTE

LONDON, Dec. 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MSM Corporation International Limited ("MSM" or the "Company") is pleased to advise it has entered into a binding Implementation Agreement with Riva Technology and Entertainment Limited ("RTE") and major shareholders of RTE, including the founders of RTE, to offer to acquire all the issued share capital of RTE (that MSM does not already own) and undertake a merger to create a global digital media entertainment, ESports and gaming business.

Since establishing a strategic partnership with The Riva Group in 2017, MSM has developed a multi-faceted relationship with RTE, including an existing 10% equity interest in RTE, as well as secured, first ranking interest-free loan notes in RTE totaling US $0.95M. 

RTE

Founded in 2002, with a global presence stretching from the USA to East Asia, The Riva Group has seen the opportunity of participating in the gaming industry which has evolved drastically since the 1970s as technology has moved consumers towards a more connected and advanced gaming world.

The Riva Group's wholly owned subsidiary, RTE is well-positioned to take advantage of the significant growth experienced across the global gaming industry as Gen C's behaviour has shaped the creator economy encompassing content creation, distribution and consumption.

Within a short period of time, RTE has been able to capture gaming and fan engagement's industry key functions, from game concepts, development, monetisation, esports, distribution and analytics, through the investment in several complementary esports and gaming businesses.

RTE Business Lines are as follows:

+ IP Sublicensing

+ Distribution Rights

+ Esports and Content Platform

+ Complementary Companies in Gaming/Esports

Following completion of the development of the Company's Megastar Platform Version 2.0, RTE will provide an accelerated development pathway via these various business lines to create a platform that is fully centric around fan engagement and content monetisation.

RTE is continually assessing investments in other complementary entertainment, technology and gaming ventures to deliver an ecosystem of companies that all cater to the creator economy.

Upon completion of the transaction, MSM will welcome Paul Roy as Managing Director and CEO of the merged entity.

For further information on RTE, please refer .

Terms of Merger

Based on the binding Implementation Agreement between the Company, RTE and the major shareholders of RTE, the Company will offer to acquire the 90% of the issued shares of RTE which it currently does not own from the shareholders of RTE and offer to acquire all convertible notes, loan notes and options on issue in RTE from the holders of such instruments and securities. The consideration for the merger will be satisfied by the offer by the Company of:

(i)          1,693,880,745 fully paid ordinary shares ("MSM Shares") to the parties who are shareholders of RTE at completion;

(ii)         107,785,723 options to acquire MSM Shares exercisable at $0.047 each on or before 31 December 2024 ("MSM Options") to the holders of options in RTE; and

(iii)        440,304,356 MSM Shares and 110,076,089 MSM Options to the holders of convertible notes and loan notes in RTE.

Completion of the merger is subject to various conditions precedent, including, but not limited to:

(a) the Company receiving firm commitments to raise US $20,740,000 (A $29.2M) via the issue of 617,261,905 MSM Shares at an issue price of US $0.0336 per MSM Share (equivalent to A $0.047 per share) together with one (1) free attaching MSM Option for every four (4) MSM Shares subscribed for and issued, or such lesser amount as the parties agree in writing ("Capital Raise");

(b) all holders of shares, options, convertible notes and loan notes in RTE accepting the offers described above; and

(c) the parties receiving all necessary regulatory consents, waivers or approvals required.

The funds raised from the Capital Raise are primarily to be applied to meet RTE's contracted obligations to participate in funding rounds in several investee gaming and Esports companies that have reached agreed upon milestones, to increase RTE's equity position in these businesses.

The funds are to be applied as follows;

Note: The figures in the table above are indicative only and subject to change.

An investor presentation has been provided with this media release.

The Company has also agreed to issue the following securities:

(i)          37,035,714 MSM Shares and 75,000,000 MSM Options as an advisory/management fee for the Capital Raise;

(ii)         26,482,979 MSM Shares to advisers of RTE in satisfaction of fees payable by RTE in respect of a previous capital raise;

(iii)        26,250,000 MSM Options and 26,250,000 options to acquire MSM Shares exercisable at $0.05 on or before 3 years from the date of issue to the advisory board of MSM; and

(iv)        12,500,000 MSM Options to the board of directors of MSM, subject to compliance with the Corporations Act.

The Company is also considering pursuing a listing on another securities exchange after the RTE merger transaction and capital raising are completed. Shareholders should be aware that this is currently an expression of intention only. Any such listing is subject to a number of factors which are outside of the control of the Company and there is no certainty that another listing may occur.

MSMCI Chairman, Antoine Massad commented:

"The merger of these two business is in many ways a natural progression of our existing relationship. The value of our initial 10% investment in RTE has increased significantly in a relatively short period of time due to the vision of Paul Roy and efforts of his core management team. RTE is now exceptionally well-positioned to take advantage of the fantastic growth opportunity in the global gaming and eSports ecosystem, which is attracting massive user and audience engagement.

"This transaction provides an accelerated pathway for our Megastar Platform Version 2.0 given the nature of RTE's online entertainment and content creation focus."

RTE Director, Paul Roy commented:

"We have an opportunity here to create a unique offering in the world of entertainment, media and technology. MSM's content delivery mechanism coupled with our gaming and esports offering will allow for the creation of a unique end to end ecosystem and a delivery platform that is unlike any other that is currently available today. I look forward to leading the combined teams as we forge a new path into the future."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Investor/Media queries: Chris Jones

P: + 61 (0) 417 985 527

E:                                  

ABOUT MSMCI

MSM Corporation International Limited ("MSMCI") is an online entertainment company that specialises in building and launching new digital entertainment products. MSMCI partners with local operators in non-English speaking markets to maximise the reach of its products and services globally.

MSMCI's first product to delivery was Megastar, a global, mobile-first talent competition, featuring performers of any category, who competed to win one Million US Dollars, a role in a film and various other prizes. Winners are chosen by fans voting in the competition through the Megastar App.

The first Megastar competition launched in core markets with the App available for download from the Apple and Google Stores. MSMCI will now capitalise on this platform by optimising the Megastar 2.0 version through the strategic partnership with The Riva Group's already established portfolio of industry specialists in Esports, gaming, user acquisition, IP delivery and infrastructure.

The Megastar Version 2.0 platform is planned to deliver a more gamified and interactive experience skill based competition with Esports and mobile gaming under the license agreement executed with Riva Technology and Entertainment Limited in conjunction with Esports organization, Galaxy Racer.

ABOUT RIVA

Founded in 2002, with headquarters in Dubai and offices across the world from the USA to East Asia, The Riva Group have successfully been delivering the vision of tomorrow for over 15 years. The Riva Group of companies hold an industry advantage in their ability to take every project from concept to execution all housed under one roof. The complementary divisions cover: creative design and development of theme parks, brand and Intellectual Property licensing, 3D animation and visual effects for films, games and TV content.

The Riva Group recently played an instrumental role in the concept, design and development of major theme parks in the middle east, based on world class IP licences. The concepts for one of the parks was inspired by The Riva Group's Chairman, Mr. Paul Roy, and his Mumbai based celebrity partners who specialise in directing, screenwriting and production for Bollywood and have won numerous awards and international accolades over the last 15 years.

The Riva Group have vast experience specialising in licensing agreements where they have successfully negotiated and arranged for licences for world class entertainment Intellectual Property with: Dreamworks Animation, Marvel, Sony Pictures, Electronic Arts, Lionsgate, Square Enix, Microsoft Studios, Cartoon Network, Capcom and Konami. The Riva Group, in partnership with Los Angeles-based Firefly Games, have developed the cutting-edge Dreamworks: Universe of Legends Mobile Game where Shrek meets Kung-Fu Panda in a Dreamworks Hero mashup.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This announcement has been prepared by the Company. This document contains background information about the Company and its associated entities current at the date of this announcement. This is in summary form and does not purport to be all inclusive or complete. Recipients should conduct their own investigations and perform their own analysis in order to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy and completeness of the information, statements and opinions contained in this announcement.

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No responsibility for any errors or omissions from this document arising out of negligence or otherwise is accepted. This document does include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are outside the control of the Company. Actual values, results, outcomes or events may be materially different to those expressed or implied in this announcement. Given these uncertainties, recipients are cautioned not to place reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements in this announcement speak only at the date of issue of this announcement. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law and ASX Listing Rules, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any information.