Stay informed with our weekly roundup of the latest mobile industry news.
Get ready for another week in mobile gaming with our selection of the most important stories from the past week.
1) EA Announces Layoffs and Office Closures
EA is undergoing a restructuring process, which includes shutting down offices and laying off 5% of its workforce. The company aims to focus on strategic priorities and growth initiatives, with plans to cut costs between $125 million and $165 million. This restructuring will involve closing games and moving away from underperforming licensed IP development.
The expenses related to layoffs and other employee-related costs are estimated at up to $55 million, following the closure of MLB Tap Sports and F1 Mobile Racing.
2) Unity Reports Revenue Growth Despite Share Price Fall
Unity’s shares dropped by 18% after revealing cost-cutting measures and $826.3 million in net losses. However, the company also announced a 57.2% yearly revenue growth to $2.19 billion. Unity underwent restructuring, resulting in 25% of its employees losing their jobs, office closures, and a $250 million reduction in annual non-GAAP operating expenses.
3) Mattel and Rollic Collaborate on New Barbie Mobile Game
Mattel has partnered with game developer Rollic to create a new Barbie mobile game for release this year. Leveraging Rollic’s expertise and the success of the 2023 Barbie film, the game aims to appeal to a wider audience beyond existing titles like Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures and Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon.
4) Ludo King Achieves 1 Billion Play Store Downloads
Indian game developer Gametion’s Ludo King has become the first mobile game in India to reach one billion downloads on the Play Store. This milestone comes after years of updates to expand the game’s features, including a six-player mode, seasonal events, and an in-game Snakes & Ladders mode.
5) Playtika Shifts Focus to M&A Activities
Playtika has decided to halt its sale plans and instead allocate up to $1.2 billion for mergers and acquisitions over the next three years. The company attributed this strategic shift to ongoing uncertainties in Israel and Ukraine, signaling a new phase of growth and expansion.
