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"We are undertaking a restructuring in the Interactive business, aligned with our long-term strategy, that is focused on sustainable profitability and innovation. The intent is to concentrate all our efforts in a few core focus areas of the business given the dynamic nature of the industry we operate in," said the company in a statement.
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Disney India also clarified that Indiagames brand will continue to exist. "The Indiagames brand will exist the way it is and will continue to deliver high-quality interactive digital products which include games, apps and other engaging offerings," said the company.
Sources within the company also stated that the restructuring will impact around 20-25 employees constituting developers, artists and testers. However, the company declined to comment on any other specifications.
Indiagames is one of the oldest game studios in India, founded by Vishal Gondal in 1999. In 2011, UTV acquired around 30 per cent stake in Indiagames and eventually increased its stake.
In an earlier interview with Business Standard, Sameer Ganapathy, vice-president & head, Interactive, Disney India had said that gaming forms an integral part of their overall strategy. "Gaming is a preferred form of entertainment in India, with 67 per cent of time spent on tablets and 39 per cent on smartphones in playing games. Our focus will be to strengthen our understanding of the consumers through research and investing in global IPs (intellectual properties or gaming properties) that will be inspired by Indian themes," he had said.
Earlier this year, the company had launched the official video game of the ICC (International Cricket Council) Cricket World Cup 2015 for computers, with a shorter version for smartphones and DTH (direct-to-home) users. It can be played across multiple screens and had garnered 700,000 downloads during the world cup. Other than sports, Bollywood is a theme that Indiagames has had good success.
