Interactive entertainment firm Zynga has acquired game studio Echtra Games, in a move to expand its cross platform game offerings. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Echtra Games, known for its games Diablo and Torchlight, will bring new game development talent –with experiences across devices– as well as the company’s technology into the Zynga ecosystem.
The Echtra team will be focused on building a new cross platform RPG game that has yet to be made public.
“Max and his team at Echtra Games are responsible for some of the most legendary game properties ever created, and they are experts in the action RPG genre and cross-platform development. I’m excited to welcome the Echtra Games team into the Zynga family,” said Frank Gibeau, Chief Executive Officer of Zynga, in a statement. “This acquisition will be instrumental in growing our iconic licenses and brands from mobile to PCs and consoles, while helping to further expand Zynga’s total addressable market.”
“Echtra Games is delighted to be joining the Zynga family,” said Max Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Echtra Games, in a statement. “We share Zynga’s vision that cross-platform play is an essential part of the future of RPGs and interactive entertainment and are eager to apply our vast experience and talents to this effort.”
The latest acquisition comes after a series of acquisitions for Zynga which is aimed at beefing up its gaming options at a time when the gaming category has been taking off, garnered by the momentum of increases in online gaming during the pandemic.
In July, Zynga paid $2.1 billion to acquire an 80% stake in Peak, a company that develops mobile games and puzzles. In October, Zynga paid $228 million to acquire 80% of game developer Rollic, a company known for its games Go Knots 3D, Flipper Dunk, Onnect – Pair Matching Puzzle, Pixel Shot 3D and Picker 3D, among others.
