Goodgame Studios targets hardcore gaming

Hamburg-based Goodgame Studios has announced it plans to branch out from its current free-to-play business and make titles for core gamers.

The firm is best known for strategy, poker and other casual titles across smartphones, tablets and browsers, but now it plans to develop core titles for PC and various console systems. These titles will still be free-to-play but will target a more traditional gaming audience.

To that end, the firm has licensed the high-end Unreal Engine 4, which launched at GDC earlier this year. Having sampled the engine with the new subscription option introduced at launch, Goodgame has since arranged a "specially tailored licence" with Epic Games.

Goodgame’s ventures into core gaming will be headed up by Dr Michael Böni, who previously worked on algorithmics and development with Unreal Engine. He has also served at Square Enix and Bungie.

"Combining the experience and expertise of Goodgame Studios in the area of free-to-play with the technological possibilities of Unreal Engine will reveal enormous potential. Putting together this team and leading it will be a great challenge," said Böni.