Ustwo CEO Maria Sayans Highlights Need to Lower Development Costs

Ustwo Games CEO Maria Sayans stated that lowering development costs is critical for the studio’s future as a PC-first developer. This comes after a strategic review prompted by Netflix’s decision to drop Monument Valley 3.

Speaking to Game Developer at London Games Fest, Sayans indicated that the pivot away from mobile was necessary due to the platform’s inability to support a long-term business model.

Sayans explained that previous deals that enabled Ustwo to launch mobile titles with backing from major companies were fading. As a result, the studio is now focusing on delivering meaningful single-player experiences for PC and consoles.

Ustwo has already ported several titles, including Monument Valley, Alba; A Wildlife Adventure, and Assemble with Care, to platforms like Steam and Nintendo Switch. While these ports did not achieve “crazy numbers,” they sold hundreds of thousands of units, which Sayans described as a “decent” return.

The challenge lies in the production costs, which previously ranged from £7 million to £10 million per title and took three to four years to develop. Sayans acknowledges the need to lower these costs to ensure sustainability moving forward.

Regarding the potential of the Monument Valley IP, Sayans noted, “We saw a lot of potential for the Monument Valley IP to be maybe reset and reinvented for PC and consoles.” However, she emphasized the high development budgets as a barrier to achieving a safer break-even point for these platforms.

Ustwo is committed to adapting its strategy to meet the demands of the evolving market while maintaining the core values that define its unique gaming experiences.