Happily basking in its status as the largest and fastest growing German game developer, Hamburg-based Goodgame Studios is now branching out in terms of its targeted audience.

Having built its F2P PC and now mobile games business on hardcore strategy titles, it's announced it's going casual.

Apparently it set up a new standalone casual studio at the start of 2015.

It's run by Daniel Persson, who joined in October 2014. Previously he was head of King's Malmo studio, which launched Pet Rescue Saga.

Its debut will be a puzzle game, due later this year.

Going beyond

The move is a surprising one, but won't be the last from Goodgame.

It also states it will be looking to go "beyond the existing options of playing on mobile and in the browser".

"We are pleased to see that the restructuring of our game development units is proving fruitful and that we will be able to launch our first casual game this year," said CEO Kai Wawrzinek.

"Expanding our product portfolio is our top priority. We are investing in the best talent and world class technology in order to achieve this goal."

Goodgame Studios is also hiring. You can check out open positions here.