It is no secret that Rovio plans to invade the media in all it’s forms with their mega hit game IP Angry Birds. It seems as though one aspect of their media invasion is one step closer to becoming a reality as Rovio announces the acquisition of Finnish animation studio going by the name of Kombo.
This obviously begs the question, is this for Rovio’s Angry Birds cartoon series which has been planned for some time now or perhaps this is for a new game? It could be both actually. With the acquisition of Kombo, they will be focusing their efforts solely on Rovio products which means Angry Birds and beyond. It does seem though that Rovio is gearing up for another game to add to their catalog of hits although whether it is another Angry Birds themed title or not remains to be seen still. There are a few job listings on Rovio’s website for game programmers.
Either way, don’t be surprised if Angry Birds, the cartoon series, launches this year. Full press release below.
Developer Website: Rovio
Rovio acquires animation studio Kombo
Helsinki-based studio to work on animated content for Rovio properties
The acquisition of the Helsinki-based studio strengthens Rovio’s animation production capabilities, with the long-term goal of creating a world class powerhouse in animated entertainment. The deal combines one of the most talented animation studios in the region with the fastest growing entertainment property in the world.
“We have had a long and fruitful relationship with Kombo in the past,” said Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovio. “This acquisition is an important step in the execution of our media strategy. The attitude, creativity and quality of Kombo’s work is simply fantastic, and we look forward to delighting our fans with more Kombo animations.”
Kombo’s ability to combine playful creativity with traditional handcrafts, excellent technical skills and the latest technology has resulted in a wide and unique collection of works in the fields of media and art.
“We are very excited to be a part of Rovio. Now we have the possibility to create bigger productions to a very wide and global audience,” says Ilmari Hakkola, president of Kombo.
About Rovio
Rovio is an entertainment media company based in Finland, and the creator of the globally successful Angry Birds franchise. Rovio was founded in 2003 as a mobile game development studio, and the company has developed several award-winning titles for various mobile platforms. Rovio is rapidly expanding its activities in broadcast media, merchandising, publishing and services. For more information about Rovio, go to rovio.com.
