Disney is partnering with Zynga to bring new Star Wars games to mobile platforms, as well as handing over operations of the popular free-to-play game Star Wars: Commander.
In order to create the allotted two Star Wars games, Zynga is handing over development duties to their U.K. based studio, NaturalMotion. The studio will also be responsible for taking over and running Star Wars: Commander, which Disney Interactive created and launched back in 2014.
Disney’s senior vp of games and interactive experiences Kyle Laughlin added to the news by saying, “The opportunity with Zynga is the latest step in our mobile games licensing strategy, which pairs Disney characters and stories with proven partners to create unique games for our fans. Zynga’s expertise in developing successful games and running live services makes them an ideal partner and we look forward to further expanding the Star Wars universe through these new experiences.”
The Star Wars license is usually reserved for EA exclusively, as part of a multiyear deal Disney made with the mega game publisher in 2013, but Disney retains the right to use the license for more casual-centric Star Wars games.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter