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THQ excited about digital gaming; liquidates mobile studio Universomo

Ongoing reorganisation hits Finnish outfit

THQ excited about digital gaming; liquidates mobile studio Universomo
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.

Universomo’s 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]

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.