Vivendi Game Mobile faces an uncertain future
Activision-Blizzard looking to rationalise the Sierra and Vivendi studios
After its recent acquisition of the Sierra/Vivendi development powerhouse, Activision-Blizzard has dropped an industry shaking bombshell: the company's assets are to be 'realigned or divested'.
As much as this statement is a management-speak smokescreen and reveals little in the way of definite plans, tensions must be running very high in the Vivendi studios right now. Of particular note to pocket gamers is the uncertainty of Vivendi Game Mobile's future.
"We are focused on improving efficiency across the combined organisation and are concentrating on businesses where we have leadership positions that are aligned with Activision Publishing's long-term corporate objectives," said Activision CEO Mike Griffith.
"We have conducted a thorough review of Vivendi's brand portfolio and are retaining those franchises and titles that are a strong fit with our long-term product strategy. We are reviewing our options regarding those titles that we will not be publishing."
Although Activision has remained a strong contender in the handheld console races, it's never taken much of an interest in the mobile gaming market. Griffith's statement about 'long-term product strategy' suggests the mobile arm of Vivendi might well be one of the studios to go up for sale.
How this would affect the licenses and IPs now owned by Activision-Blizzard, that have enjoyed a great many mobile versions, remains to be seen - it all depends on what action the mega-publisher decides to take with the smaller aspects of the Vivendi portfolio.
We'll bring you more news as soon as it lands, so keep your ear to the ground and enjoy those Vivendi mobile games while you still can…
