Mattel Game Studios Launches With Hot Wheels, Uno Games within the Works

Mattel is revamping its online game enterprise with the launch of Mattel Game Studios, a division of the toy model that may develop, publish and function authentic interactive experiences impressed by Mattel IP.

The debut of the brand new sport developer, housed underneath the bigger Mattel Digital Studios led by Marcus Liassides, is a part of Mattel’s general technique to increase its owned-and-operated video games enterprise following its full acquisition of cellular sport studio Mattel163 earlier this yr.

Per Mattel, Mattel Game Studios goals to mix the dwell ops experience of the Mattel163 crew with Mattel’s publishing, advertising and marketing and model capabilities, and a rising pipeline of cellular and UGC video games based mostly on Mattel manufacturers. The studio launched its first self-published cellular sport, “Masters of the Universe” title “Skeletor: Until Next Time!” in June and is now growing a brand new batch of free-to-play titles, together with “UNO Wild,” which is at the moment in mushy launch, and a brand new “Hot Wheels” sport.

Mattel163 chief Amy Huang will report back to Mattel chief technique officer Ken Wee via the mixing course of and can transition underneath Liassides as soon as has been accomplished.

Mattel Game Studios is comprised of practically 300 artists, designers, engineers, dwell operations specialists and producers throughout Los Angeles and Hangzhou who work throughout the corporate’s current cellular portfolio, new free-to-play cellular titles, and authentic experiences on creator platforms reminiscent of Roblox and Fortnite.

Back in February, Mattel introduced it might purchase full possession of the Mattel163 cellular video games studio from three way partnership accomplice NetEase. Founded in 2018, Mattel163, a worldwide sport studio, has developed video games based mostly on iconic Mattel manufacturers together with Uno!, Uno Wonder, Phase 10 and Skip Bo. The sport developer has over 550 million downloads worldwide and roughly 20 million month-to-month energetic customers. 

Outside of Mattel Game Studios-developed titles, Mattel Digital Studios additionally oversees licensed video games together with “Hot Wheels Unleashed” and upcoming titles “Barbie Rewind,” “Hot Wheels Infinite Rush,” and “Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction.”

“Mattel Game Studios gives us the scale and capabilities to build and publish more original gaming experiences inspired by our iconic brands,” Mattel Digital Studios chief and senior vp Liassides mentioned. “Together with our successful collaborations across the industry, it strengthens our ability to reach fans through great games wherever they choose to play.”

“We’ve brought together an extraordinary group of developers, artists, and publishing experts who share a passion for building great games,” Mattel163 founder Huang mentioned. “Combining that talent with Mattel’s incredible portfolio of brands gives us an exciting opportunity to create experiences players will enjoy for years to come.”