A UNIVERSITY drop out has seen his family-run Hampshire business which he started 20 years ago get snapped up by a national firm for £20m.

Craig Fletcher, his family and his employees are celebrating after the UK's largest video games retailer acquired his gaming company Multiplay.

Based in Blackfield in the New Forest, Multiplay is focuses on gaming events, including its flagship four-day festival, Insomnia, which last year saw more than 67,000 people attend at Coventry's RICOH Arena in person.

The 36-year old will continue to lead the business while all 50 of the business's employees will remain with the company and will continue to operate from Multiplay's headquarters in the Blackfield.

Established in 1997 after he dropped out of medical school, Craig has organised hundreds of gaming events in the UK and internationally.

Craig was one of the early pioneers of eSports tournaments in the UK, and currently runs some of the biggest tournaments in the UK for a wide range of games, including Starcraft, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and others.

Craig said he looked forward to working with GAME.

He said: “GAME and Multiplay are both passionate about games and gaming, building valuable communities of gamers and putting customers first.

“Over the years we've worked closely with the GAME team on many occasions and come to know them well.

“Being part of GAME means that together we can offer our communities so much more than we ever could have independently and more rapidly can realise our growth aspirations.”