Rovio
Rovio business and news from across the web.
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Gamescom Asia touts new records for international attendance and showfloor size
Gamescom Asia, in its sixth year, has set new records for international attendance and showfloor size, relocating to Bangkok and partnering with Thailand Game Show and Ace Bangkok. The event aims to fill a gap in the Asian market by uniting business and consumer audiences, attracting publishers and developers from across Asia, the US, Europe, and South America.
Northern Forge Studios and Runaway Play lead Green Games Jam Awards 2026
The 2026 Green Games Jam Awards recognized achievements in sustainable game development and environmental storytelling. Northern Forge Studios and Runaway Play each won two awards, with Northern Forge receiving Best Small Studio and UNEP's Choice for Orna: The GPS RPG, while Runaway Play won Best Storytelling for Flutter: Butterfly Sanctuary and Google's Choice for Splash – Fish Aquarium. CD Projekt Red received the Changemaker award, and Maria Sayans of Ustwo Games won the Champion accolade.
Apple faces £2bn lawsuit over implementation of App Tracking Transparency framework
Apple is facing a £2 billion class action lawsuit in the UK over its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework. The lawsuit alleges that Apple unfairly implemented ATT, discriminating against UK iOS developers and harming businesses that rely on advertising revenue, while applying less restrictive standards to its own data collection. Several European regulators have previously investigated Apple's ATT framework.
Sega-owned Rovio is shutting down its Copenhagen studio
Sega-owned Rovio is shutting down its Copenhagen studio, resulting in the cancellation of the mobile game Sonic Blitz and the redundancy of approximately 20 employees. The company cited that player retention for Sonic Blitz did not meet expectations. This closure follows a series of other shutdowns and layoffs within Rovio and Sega.
Gamescom 2026 attendance rose 6% to 368,000 visitors
Gamescom 2026 saw a 6% increase in attendance, reaching 368,000 visitors, with a notable rise in international participation and exhibitors. In contrast, Rovio has closed its Copenhagen studio and cancelled the mobile game Sonic Blitz due to poor retention, impacting approximately 20 employees and reflecting broader industry challenges.
Rovio closes Copenhagen studio following shut down of Sonic Blitz
Rovio has closed its Copenhagen studio and cancelled the mobile game Sonic Blitz, impacting approximately 20 employees. CEO Alexandre Pelletier-Normand cited poor retention and a need to concentrate resources as reasons for the discontinuation. Sega, which acquired Rovio in 2023, reported a significant impairment on the acquisition cost due to profitability falling below forecasts and challenges integrating technology.
Best Android MOBAs – Updated!
This article rounds up the best MOBA games available on Android devices, highlighting titles like Pokémon UNITE, Brawl Stars, and Onmyoji Arena. It also features Heroes Evolved, Battle Bay, and One Piece Bounty Rush, discussing their unique gameplay elements and monetization strategies.
Sega reports 17.3% rise in Q3 net sales; games segment exceeds expectations
Sega Sammy reported a 17.3% increase in net sales for its first quarter, with the Entertainment Contents segment, including games, exceeding expectations at ¥68.4 billion. While free-to-play games slightly underperformed, the company plans to strengthen existing titles and anticipates strong performance from upcoming full-game releases like Stranger Than Heaven and Persona 4 Revival. Sega also addressed a $200 million impairment loss on Rovio, citing market changes and integration challenges.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group
Several key personnel changes have occurred across the gaming industry. Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group, Dylan Beale is the new studio head at Larian Guildford, and Jonnie Bryant becomes communications director at Team17. Other notable moves include Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games and Nicholas Penwarden departing Epic Games after 15 years.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Marathon director Joe Ziegler leaves Bungie
This article rounds up recent hires and departures within the games industry for July 2026. Notable moves include Joe Ziegler leaving Bungie's Marathon team, Chris Chung joining Neowiz, and Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games. Several other companies announced new appointments across marketing, production, and business development roles.
Sega Europe vet Post steps down as West Studios COO, Rovio's Pelletier-Normand taking his place
Jurgen Post is stepping down as COO of Sega Europe's West Studios and will be replaced by Rovio's CEO, Alex Pelletier-Normand, who will hold both positions. Post will remain with Sega Europe in an advisory capacity, while Tatsuyuki Miyazaki takes over his regional managing director responsibilities. This transition follows Sega's acquisition of Rovio in 2023.
Business and Finance
This article analyzes the reasons behind the unsuccessful $776 million acquisition of Rovio Entertainment, the company behind the Angry Birds franchise, by Sega. It delves into the business and financial aspects that led to the deal's failure.
What went wrong with Sega's $776m acquisition of Angry Birds giant Rovio?
Sega Sammy's $776 million acquisition of Rovio has faced significant challenges, resulting in a $200 million impairment due to profitability falling below forecasts. Issues include difficulties integrating Rovio's technology and the mature state of the Angry Birds franchise in a rapidly changing mobile market with increased user acquisition costs and platform shifts. While Take-Two's acquisition of Zynga eventually proved successful, Sega's situation highlights the complexities and risks involved in acquiring mobile game companies, particularly when relying heavily on established IP.
Angry Birds Artist's Card Battler Warena Opens Free Steam Next Fest Demo
Part Time Monkey and Coyote Time Publishing have released a free demo for their real-time tactical card battler, Warena, as part of Steam Next Fest. The demo allows players to engage in 1v1 matches with friends and play the first four levels of the single-player campaign. Warena, created by Tuomas Erikoinen, the original artist for Angry Birds, is designed for PC and features simultaneous troop deployment and spellcasting.
Analyst: Q1 2026 revenue figures show there is still demand for compelling single-player video games
Global game content revenue saw a 3.6% year-over-year increase in Q1 2026, reaching $54.14 billion, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Companies like Capcom and Pearl Abyss reported significant growth, driven by titles such as Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert, indicating continued consumer demand for compelling single-player experiences alongside live-service games. PC emerged as the fastest-growing platform.
Village Studios Unveils Hack ‘95, a Unique Card Hacking Game
Village Studios has announced Hack '95, a PC exclusive card-battling RPG set in the golden age of computing with a focus on hacking and government conspiracy. A demo is available now on Steam, featuring licensed music and a script overseen by author Keith Stuart. Game director Will Luton highlighted the game's unique blend of operating system mechanics and deck-building gameplay inspired by 90s TCGs.
SEGA cancels billion-dollar “super game” project
SEGA has officially canceled its ambitious "Super Game" initiative, a large-scale live-service ecosystem intended to compete with titles like Fortnite and Roblox. The project, which involved significant investment and restructuring, was quietly confirmed in SEGA Sammy Holdings' fiscal year 2026 earnings presentation. The cancellation reflects a broader industry shift away from chasing live-service trends due to market saturation and intense competition, with SEGA reportedly refocusing on its successful premium game franchises.
The hangover kicks in after a decade of games-as-a-service obsession | Opinion
Sony and Sega's recent financial results highlight the significant costs and underperformance associated with the games-as-a-service (GaaS) trend, including substantial impairments on acquisitions like Bungie and Rovio. In contrast, Capcom continues to achieve record profits by focusing on traditional premium game releases, suggesting a potential strategic shift back towards established business models within the industry.
Sega is lowering the priority of games-as-a-service titles
Sega is reducing the priority of its games-as-a-service titles following weak performance from new free-to-play games like Sonic Rumble Party and a delay in other launches. The company has also canceled its "Super Game" initiative, which involved partnering with Microsoft for cloud-based game development. Personnel have been shifted from GaaS to full-game development to focus on core IPs.
Sega GaaS, Online Super Game Canceled
Sega has officially canceled its ambitious "Super Game" project, a games as a service (GaaS) initiative that was initially planned for a March 2026 release. The cancellation was confirmed in Sega Sammy's fiscal results presentation, with no specific reason provided beyond halting further investment. The report also noted underperformance from Rovio titles and Sonic Rumble, alongside delays for other upcoming games.
