Ustwo Games, the acclaimed developer renowned for its 'Monument Valley' series, is embarking on a strategic pivot towards PC-first game development. This shift signifies a departure from its historical mobile-centric approach, driven by recent experiences and a desire for more direct engagement with its player base.
Embracing the PC Platform: A New Era for Ustwo Games
From Mobile Marvels to PC Pioneers: A Strategic Evolution
Ustwo Games, celebrated for the mobile sensation 'Monument Valley' in 2014, is reorienting its development priorities. The studio, responsible for several popular titles including follow-ups to its flagship puzzle game, is now prioritizing PC as its primary development platform. This decision marks a significant change from its previous mobile-first strategy, acknowledging the inherent limitations and compromises faced when attempting to adapt mobile games for PC and console markets.
The Catalyst: Netflix's Unexpected Move and Its Implications
A pivotal event prompting this strategic shift was the unexpected removal of 'Monument Valley 3' from Netflix's service. Despite a robust marketing campaign and successful launch in December 2024, the game was pulled just six months later. Ustwo Games' CEO, Maria Sayans, noted that this removal, alongside other titles, was likely part of Netflix's evolving content strategy. This experience underscored the precariousness of relying on platforms that can unilaterally alter content availability, prompting Ustwo to seek greater control over its distribution and audience relationships.
Building Direct Connections: The Advantage of PC-First Development
The studio's new 'PC-first' approach aims to mitigate the risks associated with platform-specific content strategies. Rather than developing for mobile platforms like Netflix and Apple Arcade with subsequent ports, Ustwo Games plans to create multiplatform titles from the outset, with PC as the foundational release. This strategy is driven by a desire to foster more direct and robust relationships with its audience and community, bypassing intermediaries and gaining more autonomy over its creative and commercial endeavors.
Beyond Puzzle Games: Ustwo's Diverse Portfolio and Future Vision
While 'Monument Valley' is widely recognized for its visually stunning, Escher-esque optical illusions and bite-sized puzzle levels perfect for mobile, Ustwo Games has a broader creative footprint. The studio has also developed a surreal turn-based tactics game set within the human mind and a nature-themed photo safari adventure that actively contributes to real-world environmental efforts. This diverse portfolio demonstrates the studio's versatility and ambition, which it now intends to channel through a PC-first development pipeline, promising innovative and engaging experiences for a broader gaming audience.
