Rovio has decided to close its Copenhagen studio after ceasing operations on Sonic Blitz

Rovio has decided to close its operations in Copenhagen, coinciding with the termination of the mobile game project, Sonic Blitz.

A representative disclosed to Mobilegamer.biz that while the redundancy procedures are ongoing, they are unable to specify the exact number of employees affected. The Sonic Blitz project was staffed by about 20 individuals.

"Shutting down our Copenhagen studio was a tough choice," stated the spokesperson. "We understand the significant repercussions this decision has on our personnel, particularly considering the ongoing challenges faced by the gaming industry as a whole."

"For those team members not reassigned within Rovio, we will offer a full transition package. This includes specialized outplacement services and support focused on wellbeing to help them secure future employment," they added.

Rovio's CEO and Sega West COO, Alexandre Pelletier-Normand, mentioned that there is a need to focus on the selection of games and locations for development.

Regarding the introduction of Sonic Blitz to the franchise, Pelletier-Normand said, "Initially, we believed it would be a favorable addition for Sonic fans."

"Our initial assessment on mobile platforms appeared strong, but retention metrics did not meet our expectations, which is crucial. Long-term player engagement is vital," he explained.

He further expressed confidence in expanding Sonic’s reach on mobile, though acknowledged it has proved more complex than both Sega and Rovio anticipated. "We are still proud of the game and the team’s accomplishments, but unfortunately, it didn’t succeed," he noted.

Sonic Blitz had a soft launch in the Philippines and Brazil in 2025 but was taken offline last month. This move was deemed part of a "broader change" at the company.

The developer clarified that the decision did not reflect the dedication, creativity, or effort invested in the game, nor the valuable community support received during its development.

Sega completed the acquisition of Rovio for $776 million in 2023, but reported a $200 million impairment on the buyout cost as profit levels did not meet initial projections.

Sega faced hurdles in integrating Rovio's Beacon technology with its existing mobile games.

Haruki Satomi, Sega's CEO, mentioned, "The operational and marketing strategies between our existing and Rovio’s new mobile titles diverge significantly, hindering the full utilization of Beacon."

"Regrettably, we have not reached the expected outcomes envisioned prior to the acquisition," he concluded.