Ustwo, the creator behind Monument Valley, has transitioned to being primarily a "PC first" studio
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Game developer Ustwo, headquartered in London, is now turning its attention towards the PC gaming market.
CEO Maria Sayans explained to Mobilegamer.biz that this strategic pivot is partly due to the "compromises" encountered when a mobile-first developer expands to other platforms. She emphasized that using PC as a primary platform enables Ustwo to cultivate a more direct connection with gamers, whereas mobile and console are primarily valued for their ability to broaden the reach.
Although traditionally focused on mobile, Ustwo has ventured into PC gaming with titles like the 2019 Apple Arcade exclusive "Assemble with Care," which later became available on Windows. Other games such as "Monument Valley," "Alba: A Wildlife Adventure," and "Desta: The Memories Between" have also rolled out on various platforms, including PC.
Recently, the company has shifted its strategy to prioritize PC development over mobile, Sayans noted.
Sayans pointed out that perceiving Ustwo as a mobile-first developer can limit the potential on PC and consoles, leading to compromises in both product development and marketing approaches. The company now sees PC as the core platform to foster direct audience engagement, while still utilizing console and mobile for expanding reach. This strategy aims to optimize audience building and engagement without excluding any platforms.
Currently, Ustwo has three development teams working on projects at different stages, with more details to be announced at the appropriate time.
Sayans also discussed the unexpected removal of "Monument Valley 3" from Netflix just six months after its exclusive release. Ustwo's CEO expressed surprise at Netflix's decision, suggesting it was influenced by changes in their content strategy.
Following its exit from Netflix, Sayans said the team seized the chance to enhance and redesign the game's ending and post-launch content to better align with a premium product model, quickly readying a version for app stores.
She praised the team's capacity to swiftly adapt and improve the game for its upcoming console release, demonstrating their agility and responsiveness.