Shifts in the gaming landscape have prompted Ustwo, the studio recognized for Monument Valley, to update its approach to new releases. Over the past decade, Ustwo’s mobile-first focus defined titles such as Monument Valley and Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, making names for themselves on smartphones and tablets. However, experiences with exclusive services are driving major internal decisions about where and how future games are launched. As multiplatform strategies become commonplace, Ustwo’s approach signals broader uncertainties facing mobile-first developers, especially in the context of volatile licensing agreements and content removals across subscription services. The move to PC-first publishing adds to a discussion about sustainable audience access and creative control for digital studios.
When Monument Valley initially gained widespread acclaim, discussion centered around mobile gaming’s creative possibilities and accessibility. Expansion into PC and other platforms later followed, but appeared to be secondary considerations. Over time, a number of indie studios have commented publicly about the challenges of relying on third-party subscription models, citing unpredictable content cycles and the need to maintain a lasting impact with audiences. Monument Valley’s short-lived presence on Netflix is reflective of this larger pattern, as game makers now increasingly seek distribution methods that avoid sudden removals and guarantee longer tail sales and player engagement. Ustwo’s evolving outlook is shaped by both positive experiences on mobile and setbacks intrinsic to changing service partnerships.
Why Did Ustwo Alter Its Platform Strategy?
Ustwo’s leadership has decided to focus on PC as the primary launch platform, reevaluating their approach due to concerns about limitation under the label of a mobile-first developer. CEO Maria Sayans specifically emphasized this point, stating,
“What has changed more recently is shifting our focus to ‘PC first’ in our future titles, rather than mobile first.”
She indicated that product design and marketing often meet constraints when mobile serves as the lead platform.
What Led to the Change After Monument Valley 3?
The recent removal of Monument Valley 3 from Netflix just six months after its launch triggered a reconsideration of Ustwo’s commitment to exclusive service releases.
“After working with Netflix for a few years developing Monument Valley 3, the game launched in December 2024 with a strong marketing campaign behind it, and six months later they told us they wanted to take it off the service,”
Sayans explained, adding that the content decision affected several games. The unpredictability of such partnerships revealed potential pitfalls of relying on platforms with shifting priorities and strategies.
How Will Ustwo Approach Releases Moving Forward?
Future projects from Ustwo are set to launch with PC as the initial platform, allowing for deeper audience relationships and direct community interaction. Rather than porting games from mobile or negotiating exclusive access with subscription services, the studio plans simultaneous multiplatform development. Ustwo’s past work, including titles like Alba: A Wildlife Adventure and Assemble with Care, has already appeared across various devices. However, the decision to prioritize PC reflects a broader strategy. According to Sayans, focusing on PC provides “a base, where we can build more direct relationships with our audience and community.”
Ustwo’s decision mirrors a broader reevaluation among independent developers who grapple with balancing visibility, creative freedom, and steady earnings. Service removals, such as the sudden withdrawal of games from Netflix, put at risk both player engagement and studio revenues. While traditional platforms like PC offer increased control and longer-term player retention, they also present new challenges around discovery and distribution. As the gaming market continues to shift, studios are left to manage these trade-offs, with multiplatform releases gaining popularity as a sensible path forward. Developers weighing mobile exclusivity against broader access may find Ustwo’s experience instructive, especially as other subscription services update their own approaches to content curation in the near term.
