Tag: Zynga

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Mobile Syrup

Star Wars: Hunters now delayed until 2023, despite soft launch

The launch of Star Wars: Hunters is being delayed until 2023. Zynga confirms that in order to meet the studio’s “high expectations,” the title is being pushed from its September 2022 release.

On Twitter, Zynga clarifies that the delay affects the launch of the game across all devices. The studio first announced the game in 2021 and that it would arrive on Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android. “We invite all gamers to join us on Vespaara when Star Wars: Hunters launches in 2023 on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices,” the studio says.

Star Wars: Hunters is a PVP arena-based shooter set in the Star Wars universe between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Players build a team of characters across the Star Wars universe. Ranging from bounty hunters to Rebellion heroes and Imperial fighters, players face off in various arenas.

The announcement of a delay comes despite Zynga having soft-launched the game earlier this year. To gauge community feedback and allow hands-on time with Star Wars: Hunters, select regions have been able to play the game via the soft launch.

“We truly appreciate your support and feedback as we work to make Star Wars: Hunters the best it can be,” Zynga says. The studio will continue to roll out content updates for its game until the game is ready for a worldwide launch. A new update is set to arrive within “the next few weeks.”

Image credit: Zynga

Source: @ZyngaStarWars Via: Android Police

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Take-Two officially acquires social gaming developer Zynga

Gaming giant Take-Two Interactive has officially acquired Zynga for $12.7 billion. The Grand Theft Auto publisher revealed the deal back in January, but as announced today, it has finally gone through.

In Zynga, Take-Two gets one of the biggest names in social gaming in the world. The company, most known for its Farmville titles, will not only serve as a massive money-maker for Take-Two but will also bring free-to-play mobile expertise to the publisher.

After the mobile success of other major gaming brands, this acquisition is almost surely an effort for Take-Two to get in on that space. The company has built a renowned catalogue of titles such as Grand Theft Auto, Bioshock, and the 2k Sports games. So, with Zynga under their umbrella, fans can expect a renewed mobile push from some of these franchises.

When the deal was announced in January, it was noted that Zynga would help bolster Take-Two IP on mobile. And with the revenue potential on the platform why wouldn’t they push for this?

This comes as acquisitions are a hot-button topic in the gaming world. Just this year, two major purchases rocked the landscape. In January, Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, in a deal that is still pending. And Sony wrote a $3.6 billion cheque to acquire Destiny developer Bungie.

Image Credit: Zynga

Categories
Mobile Syrup

GTA publisher to buy Zynga for $12.7 billion in biggest-ever gaming acquisition

Take-Two Interactive has entered into an agreement to acquire mobile game developer Zynga for an estimated $12.7 billion USD (about $16.1 billion CAD).

Should the deal go through, this would be the largest acquisition of a gaming company to date. For reference, Microsoft’s major purchase of Bethesda parent company ZeniMax last year was valued at around $7.5 billion USD (about $9.5 billion CAD).

Take-Two Interactive is one of the biggest AAA game publishers in the console and PC space, owning the likes of Grand Theft Auto, NBA 2K and Borderlands. Zynga, meanwhile, is a leader in the mobile and social game space for titles like Farmville and Words with Friends. 

Therefore, Take-Two says it’s acquiring Zynga to broaden its portfolio.

“We are thrilled to announce our transformative transaction with Zynga, which significantly diversifies our business and establishes our leadership position in mobile, the fastest-growing segment of the interactive entertainment industry,” said Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Take-Two, in a press statement.

Currently, Zynga is working on Star Wars: Hunters, an arena combat game for Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch, which is set to release sometime this year.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Take-Two Interactive

Categories
Mobile Syrup

GTA publisher to buy Zynga for $12.7 billion in biggest-ever gaming acquisition

Take-Two Interactive has entered into an agreement to acquire mobile game developer Zynga for an estimated $12.7 billion USD (about $16.1 billion CAD).

Should the deal go through, this would be the largest acquisition of a gaming company to date. For reference, Microsoft’s major purchase of Bethesda parent company ZeniMax last year was valued at around $7.5 billion USD (about $9.5 billion CAD).

Take-Two Interactive is one of the biggest AAA game publishers in the console and PC space, owning the likes of Grand Theft Auto, NBA 2K and Borderlands. Zynga, meanwhile, is a leader in the mobile and social game space for titles like Farmville and Words with Friends. 

Therefore, Take-Two says it’s acquiring Zynga to broaden its portfolio.

“We are thrilled to announce our transformative transaction with Zynga, which significantly diversifies our business and establishes our leadership position in mobile, the fastest-growing segment of the interactive entertainment industry,” said Strauss Zelnick, chairman and CEO of Take-Two, in a press statement.

Currently, Zynga is working on Star Wars: Hunters, an arena combat game for Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch, which is set to release sometime this year.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Take-Two Interactive

Categories
Potins

Lady Gaga raises more than $1 million for Japan

Just hours after the earthquake and tsunami caused massive devastation in Japan, theatrical pop singer Lady Gaga designed a special bracelet to help raise money for the devastated country.

Within two days the singer managed to raise a quarter of a million dollars, and that number has since climbed to $1.5 million

The simple white bracelet features dark red text, which reads, in both English and Japanese, ‘We pray for Japan.’ The rubber wristband retails for $5 US, but purchasers are encouraged to make an additional donation via an easy drop-down menu which allows them to set a higher price.

The Born This Way hitmaker took to Twitter and asked her fans to buy the $5 wristband, "I Designed a Japan Prayer Bracelet … and ALL proceeds will go to Tsunami Relief Efforts. Go Monsters.”

Gaga will donate half the amount to the American Red Cross, and the other half will go to the Save the Children charity via Zynga online games’ charitable sister company Zynda.org, which raises funds through virtual purchases.

“I’m inspired that my little monsters [fans] banded together to help those affected by the terrible tragedy,” said Lady Gaga. “What Zynga’s players have done for the cause is equally inspiring, and I’m thrilled to partner with them to raise money that will go to Save the Children and the American Red Cross.”

In recent weeks, Zynga has managed to raise $2.5 million for Japan, thanks to users who can buy virtual items for online games, including popular games like FarmVille and Cityville.