Despite owning a highly regarded mobile developer in the shape of Finnish company Universomo, and being "very excited about digital gaming," THQ has confirmed it's shut down the developer.
"We have increased our investment in this area, and have more than 15 games and entertainment applications scheduled for release on mobile handsets this year. That said, we did place Universomo into liquidation," a spokesman told Mobile Entertainment.
With its main inhouse studio gone, apparently these new games will be developed using thirdparty developers and the THQ Digital studios resource.
The news perhaps isn't surprising considering THQ recent corporate woes however, which have seen sales at the global PC and console publisher slump, requiring a $100 million refinancing package in July 2009.
Universomos MD Markku Hakala stepped down at the start of 2010 too.
More generally, THQ has been heavily reorganising its internal structure, with over a quarter of the workforce cut since 2008.
Most recently this resulted another 60 jobs lost at developers Juice Games and Rainbow Studios. These have since been repositioned as THQ Digital Studios, focused on the development of Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, Facebook, iPhone and iPad games.
[source: Mobile Entertainment]
News
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
Related Articles
News
Jul 12th, 2011
Handheld market will be impacted by mobile gaming competition says THQ CEO Farrell
Top Stories
Feature
Apr 25th, 2024
"Gaming in MENA is just starting. Investment will bring more attention to the region and create more opportunities"
Feature
Apr 24th, 2024
48 top mobile games in soft launch: Squad Busters, CSR 3, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, and more
Events
Esports Future Summit | Middle East | Apr 27th |
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Popular Stories
News
Apr 23rd, 2024
Supercell’s Squad Busters soft launches today with over 100,000 Google Play downloads
Feature
Apr 24th, 2024