Angry Birds developer Rovio has shut down its new London studio just over a year after it opened.
The UK branch, headed up by Mark Sorrell, was revealed during Pocket Gamer Connects london 2017 and had been working on a brand new massively multiplayer IP.
However following a recent profit warning for the company the studio has now been closed in a decision that will result in seven job losses.
It’s with a heavy heart that I tell you the @rovio London Studio is going to close. Sad times for us, but I look back with genuine pride at my time with these talented and kind people. Been quite a ride. pic.twitter.com/EYxO3ZZmaA
— Mark Sorrell (@Sorrell) March 2, 2018
Key exec departs
As part of wider changes at the company, Rovio’s head of games Wilhelm Taht has left his position with immediate effect due to “personal reasons”. He had been with the company for over three years and spearheaded the company's pivot to free-to-play.
CEO Kati Levoranta will temporarily take on the role following Taht’s departure.
"After three and a half amazing years, working with some of the best games teams in the world, it's time to pass the hoodie and move on,” said Taht.
“Over the last two years we have seen an astonishing change in our games when moving towards running our games as services and truly transitioned our games business to free-to-play.
"I will never forget that journey and the learnings I have been blessed with as head of games. I want to thank Rovio leadership, board of directors and above all the whole kick-ass games team for putting your faith in me.”
Levoranta added: "I want to warmly thank Wilhelm for his work to the success of Rovio's games business. With his leadership we have grown the games business revenue and profitability significantly, and put together several top games teams.
“We'll all going to miss his deep games experience and his visible contribution to the Rovio spirit. Going forward we will further continue to empower our studios and simplify our structure to be ever more agile.”
