Ustwo Video games makes layoffs to facilitate ‘PC-first’ pivot – Gameplay, Leaks & Tech

Monument Valley developer Ustwo Video games has made 4 individuals redundant. Sport Developer understands the layoffs had been made to facilitate the UK studio’s transition right into a PC-first firm. 

One senior artist who labored at Ustwo for nearly a decade was impacted by the cuts, in keeping with a put up on Bluesky. 

Earlier this 12 months, Ustwo Video games CEO Maria Sayans instructed Mobilegamer.biz the corporate meant to rework right into a PC-first, multiplatform developer after turning into largely identified for crafting premium cell titles corresponding to Monument Valley and Desta: The Reminiscences Between.

Lots of its video video games debuted completely on platforms corresponding to Apple Arcade and Netflix Video games lately. The corporate, nevertheless, has pedigree on PC and consoles—having beforehand ported titles corresponding to Assemble with Care, Monument Valley 3, and Alba: A Wildlife Journey to a variety of platforms.

Now, it intends to double down on the broader {hardware} ecosystem to drive success. 

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“What has modified extra lately is shifting our focus to ‘PC first’ in our future titles, somewhat than cell first,” stated Sayans, chatting with Mobilegamer in January. “This stems from a realisation that there’s a ceiling to how a lot you are able to do on PC and console when you find yourself perceived as a mobile-first sport, and that you simply make compromises each in product design and go-to-market methods when cell is your lead platform.”

Sayans stated Ustwo grew to become “one step eliminated” from audiences on different platforms after partnering with the likes of Netflix and Apple, and defined the studio has begun weaning itself off that dependancy.