Zynga Inc. Friday announced it has acquired UK-based mobile game developer Wonderland Software, creator of GodFinger for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Wonderland Software will become Zynga Mobile UK, marking Zynga’s first operating studio in the UK.
With this investment, Zynga is acquiring the team at Wonderland and select IP, not including GodFinger. Additional terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
David Ko, Senior Vice President of Mobile, Zynga, said Wonderland is composed of an amazingly talented, creative team, known for developing deeply engaging and innovative games. According to Ko, the Wonderland team has developed novel game technology that will help Zynga build a presence in the UK.
Wonderland Software CEO Matthew Wiggins immediately assumes the role of General Manager, Zynga Mobile UK, reporting to David Ko. Zynga Mobile UK will leverage its leadership team and proprietary technology to focus on creating new mobile social titles that build on and expand Zynga’s mobile portfolio of games.
Commenting on the acquisition, Wiggins said Wonderland Software has always been dedicated to pursuing big and creative ideas and turning them into games that players love.
Founded in 2009, Wonderland Software includes veterans of some of the UK’s biggest and best game companies – Lionhead, Codemasters and Bullfrog, amongst others. Wonderland Software’s founders include Matthew Wiggins, Mark Rose and Al Harding.
Zynga Inc. is the world’s largest social game developer with more than 250 million monthly active users playing their games which include CityVille, FarmVille, FrontierVille, Words With Friends, Mafia Wars, Zynga Poker, Café World, and Treasure Isle.
Zynga Inc. games are available on a number of global platforms including Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo, the iPad, the iPhone and Android devices. Through Zynga.org, Zynga players have raised more than $10 million for world social causes. Zynga Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco.
Zynga Inc. made a big hit after its games Farmville, Cityville and Mafia Wars became instant hits on Facebook, and has been expanding its reach via small acquisitions at the rate of at least one per month.
The acquisition will allow the company to expand its already massive user base by offering more games for a number of platforms.
The Guildford based Wonderland Software will be renamed as Zynga Mobile UK. The company is behind the popular iPhone and iPad game GodFinger. According to a statement released by the company, Zynga won’t get the license to the game as a part of the acquisition.
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