Zynga intends to move its mobile franchises to PCs and consoles. For these purposes, the publisher acquired the studio Echtra Games, known for action / RPG Torchlight III.The amount and other details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Despite the fact that Echtra Games has only one game under its belt, Zynga has shown interest in the studio largely because of its personnel. Its founder is Max Schaefer, a former Blizzard veteran and one of the creators of the first two parts of Diablo, as well as Hellgate: London and the Torchlight series.
“Max and his team are responsible for some of the most legendary gaming projects in history. They are experts in the genre of role—playing action games and cross-platform development,“ said Zynga CEO Frank Gibeau.
The deal will allow Zynga to move its existing mobile franchises to PCs and consoles. Also, Echtra Games, together with the NaturalMotion studio, will develop an as yet unannounced RPG with the possibility of a cross-platform game.
Zynga announced its intention to go beyond the mobile market during the last conversation with investors. According to the publisher, the first games may be released before the end of 2021.