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Rumours fly about Vivendi Games Mobile breakup

Confirmation expected in the next few days

Rumours fly about Vivendi Games Mobile breakup
It's an open secret that Vivendi Games Mobile isn't long for this world, at least in its current form. Newly-merged parent company Activision Blizzard recently described it as a "non-strategic business unit" after all.

So what's happening? MocoNews ran a story yesterday claiming that a sale was imminent, while refuting rumours that Indian firms IG Fun and Jump Games might be potential buyers.

We've been canvassing our sources, and several confirmed that an announcement about the fate of Vivendi Games Mobile is expected in the next few days.

However, it seems the publisher may not be sold lock, stock and barrel. Instead, it may be broken up, with rival publishers reporting that they've been offered the chance to bid for specific licences, some existing games, and individual development studios.

"The offers are closed, and Vivendi is currently reviewing the offers they received," one source tells us. "It's very likely that we'll have the results next week."

With Activision Blizzard now the world's largest games publisher, it's hardly a resounding vote of confidence in mobile that it sees no need to have an in-house mobile division. Vivendi Games Mobile has recently seen big success with its Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D game for iPhone.

However, Activision has traditionally focused on a licensing model for mobile, partnering with companies like Glu Mobile and Hands-On Mobile.

Contributing Editor

Stuart is a freelance journalist and blogger who's been getting paid to write stuff since 1998. In that time, he's focused on topics ranging from Sega's Dreamcast console to robots. That's what you call versatility. (Or a short attention span.)