Gree follows layoffs with two new offices

Japanese mobile giant Gree has opened two new studios in Berlin and Melbourne, strengthening the firm’s Western presence.

Gree Berlin will be focused on various operations for Europe, including marketing, business development, customer service, QA and game localisation, and live operations, according to GamesIndustry.

Meanwhile, Gree Melbourne “will be working on technology and game systems to power the next generation of Gree games”. 

The studio is the result of Gree’s acquisition of Australian mobile developer Twiitch, which specialises in titles for the core and mid-core audience. Co-founders Shane Stevens and Steven Spagnolo will stay on to lead Gree Melbourne, helping its parent target this audience.

Gree Berlin will be headed up by general manager Philipp Karstaedt, previously of Fyber and Aeria Games.

News of the two studios follows hot on the heels of layoffs at Gree International, the firm’s San Francisco operation, where almost of a third of the staff were dismissed.

“Gree is focused on expanding our reach in Western markets and, in doing so, offering our players the best gameplay experience possible,” said Gree International COO Andrew Sheppard. “We know the key to getting there is having the best local teams, the most advanced technology, and the deepest understanding of the players around the world.

“These new offices will help us reach our growing playerbase by allowing us to more effectively localise our games, marketing campaigns and customer service experiences as well as build and integrate the best technologies for the growing and evolving mobile games market.”