Home Gaming Angry Birds studio lays off over 200

Angry Birds studio lays off over 200

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Angryboids

Angry Birds is not the gaming phenomenon that it once was. For a good while, it was the mobile game to play, with everybody flinging those raging raptors, enraged aves and outraged ornithurae at the plunderous porcine pilferers that caused their ire. Though they’re set to get their very own film (in a bid, I suspect, to resurrect their waning popularity) the once esteemed transmedia property seems to have dropped out of the spotlight.

A bigger problem though, is that Rovio hasn’t managed to follow through with that success, and nothing they’ve done since has had quite the effect that Angry Birds has had. And it’s starting to significantly affect Angry Birds maker Rovio’s bottom line.

In October last year, the company shed a number of jobs, and they’ve unfortunately done it again. The Finnish game maker has confirmed its shed 213 jobs in its latest batch of redundancies. Rovio will “actively provide career support for those made redundant as a result of the reorganization.” It sucks when people lose their jobs – and we offer our deepest sympathies to those affected.

The company has confirmed it’ll be shuttering one aspect of its business. It branched out of videogames in to the digital learning sphere – but will now restructure to focus once more on games.

“We are discontinuing the learning businesses within Rovio,” a spokesperson said. “A spinoff startup company is looking to find funding to continue the business in a company focusing on Angry Birds Playground and digital learning tools.”

The Angry Birds movie is set for release in May next year – and could help re-ignite consumer love for the brand. Or it could be terrible, and damage it irreparably.

Last Updated: October 22, 2015

10 Comments

  1. oVg

    October 22, 2015 at 11:07

    We all know that the games industry is the shitiest industry to work for. Im sure they all expect an uncertain future when signing on to make games.

    We are seeing a few strikes with game voice actors and I’m sure the games Industry will be demanding a union at some point.

    Why is working in this Industry so shit?

    Reply

    • Raptor Rants

      October 22, 2015 at 11:11

      1)It’s profit driven to the point of madness.
      2)The community is super aggressive

      Reply

      • oVg

        October 22, 2015 at 11:26

        They must sign some serious confidentiality forms because we never ever hear them or have any understanding of what goes on behind the scenes.

        Reply

  2. Raptor Rants

    October 22, 2015 at 11:11

    Still hate seeing layoffs of this scale.

    Mobile is especially volatile with this kind of thing. It’s not an industry I’d like to work in myself. Far too risky

    Reply

  3. Grand Admiral Chief

    October 22, 2015 at 11:18

    WTF LEGS???????????

    Reply

  4. Nikola

    October 22, 2015 at 11:31

    This is when it upsets me when people pirate games as you don’t realize how it affects the people that work hard to make games and so on….WHy is there so much DLC and season pass rubbish now days you could say a part of it is contributed by a selfish few that still pirate games as company are trying to make more profit (it’s more likely due to studios just milking gamers for money but yeah) I am not saying am an angel and haven’t done it before but NEVER again will I.

    Reply

    • AfricanTime

      October 22, 2015 at 11:55

      not sure what piracy has to do with this case?

      Reply

  5. Brady miaau

    October 22, 2015 at 12:24

    Annoying Frog thingie all over again?

    The follow hit is often the hardest to do.

    Reply

  6. ZA Ludomusicologist

    October 22, 2015 at 15:11

    Thankfully the Finnish government will support the laid-off employees. Rovio needs to reinvent themself – and invent new products.

    Reply

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