Rovio refocuses on Angry Birds and Sonic after cuts
Rovio is narrowing its focus to core IPs like Angry Birds and Sonic following layoffs and project cancellations.
Two stories highlight different rhythms in mobile gaming. Rovio is consolidating its operations around established franchises after a difficult period. Separately, fans of the hit game Brotato face a long wait for its next major content update on mobile platforms.
Rovio's Strategic Rebuild
Rovio CEO Alexandre Pelletier-Normand stated the company's primary goal is to focus on its known strengths, specifically the Angry Birds IP, live games, and new projects tied to its brands. This refocus follows a $200 million write-down by parent company Sega in February, 36 layoffs in October 2025, and the cancellation of the mobile game Sonic Blitz in August. The company is now structured around key studios in Espoo, Stockholm, Barcelona, and Canada, each with distinct roles in puzzle games, live operations, and Apple Arcade titles.
Pelletier-Normand criticized the standard 30% commission charged by Apple and Google, arguing the platforms are not offering enough value for the fee. He confirmed Rovio is exploring direct-to-consumer webstores to alleviate this pressure, though he admitted the company is late to adopt this model. For new game launches, the strategy is deliberate rather than experimental. The team from the canceled soft-launch title Bloom City Match has been moved to work on Angry Birds Match, and the Angry Birds Rush project is being developed externally with French studio OhBiBi.
The approach extends to Sega's Sonic IP. Pelletier-Normand acknowledged the existing mobile Sonic runners do not monetize well, prompting investigations into other genres for deeper engagement. He was blunt about the performance of Sonic Rumble Party, a game Rovio helped publish in May 2025, stating it has not been as successful as hoped and is at risk of cancellation. Rovio is no longer supporting the title as a publishing partner, leaving the decision on its future to Sega Japan.
Brotato DLC Mobile Delay
The Primal Dread expansion for the popular bullet heaven game Brotato now has a release date, but its mobile version is not scheduled until 2027. The DLC was first announced in April and includes new characters, weapons, a primordial-themed map, and a massive skyscraper-sized boss enemy. This lengthy delay for mobile contrasts with the platform's reputation for quick updates and a steady stream of content.
While the wait is significant, the DLC promises substantial new content for the game. The expansion aims to bring a fresh experience to the entrenched mobile title. The developer, Evil Empire, is not being held to the same update schedule as some competitors in the busy bullet heaven subgenre. The hope is that the final product will justify the extended development time when it finally arrives on phones.
