Rovio Entertainment, the developer behind Angry Birds, has laid off 36 employees in a new restructuring program that would also lead to a change in management structure. The layoff was partly linked to the underperformance of their recently released title, Angry Birds Dream Blast.
More than 90% of Rovio Entertainment was acquired by Sega in 2023, and the studio has made more effort to integrate with the new parent company. According to a report by Mobile Gamer, which quoted a Rovio spokesperson, the Finnish branch of the company that makes puzzle games will be “focusing on fewer games”, while their Barcelona studio will be taking on more work on existing and new titles.
ALSO READ: Ubisoft RedLynx Could Lose 60 Employees To Restructuring
“No games have been canceled but Angry Birds Dream Blast has unfortunately not been performing as expected,” said a Rovio spokesperson in a message sent to Mobile Gamer.
“We have been renewing our organization this autumn in reaction to one of our games underperforming and in order to better respond to the market, to move towards a more game-centric approach, and to be able to iterate fast on new game ideas.”
Ongoing structural and management changes at Rovio Entertainment
There have been rumors that Rovio’s CEO, Alexandre Pelletier, has relocated to London from Finland. Although the studio is silent on that matter, what was confirmed, however, is that there have been changes in the company’s management structure. Rovio CEO is believed to be spending more time at different Rovio offices and at Sega Europe HQ.
ALSO READ: 15 Must-Have PlayStation Exclusive Video Game Art Books
“We are creating new business units, reorganizing some of our game studios and reallocating some of the games developed in them,” said a Rovio Entertainment spokesperson. “For example, Puzzle studio in Finland will be focusing on fewer games as some of their games become an independent business unit and our Barcelona office will cater to more games than it has done, so far.”
We are also making some changes in our management structure to reflect our role as a non-listed company, as well as tightening our relations with SEGA. With this our CEO is spending more time around our different Rovio locations and at the SEGA of Europe office. These changes resulted in changes in some roles, the creation of several new roles and a total of 36 employees being made redundant.”
Why do you think Angry Birds Dream Blast is underperforming? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Remember to share and bookmark this website to stay up to date on all the hottest news in the gaming industry.
