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{{short description|Finnish video game developer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{about|the Finnish video game developer|other uses|Rovio (disambiguation){{!}}Rovio}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Rovio Entertainment Ltd.
| name = Rovio Entertainment Corporation
| logo = New logo Rovio.jpg
| logo = Rovio Entertainment.svg
| image = Rovio Entertainment Hdqtrs 1.jpg
| logo_size = 200px
| image_caption = Rovio's headquarters in Espoo, Finland
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| trading_name = Rovio
| founder = Mikael Hed<br>Niklas Hed<ref name="edge">{{cite web|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/studio-profile-rovio/|title=Studio Profile: Rovio|date=17 March 2013|work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|accessdate=5 January 2014}}</ref>
| former_name = {{Unbulleted list|Relude Oy (2003–2005)|Rovio Mobile Oy (2005–2011)|Rovio Entertainment Oy (2011–2017)}}
| key_people = Kati Levoranta, <small>[[Chief executive officer|CEO]]</small><br />Teemu Suila, <small>[[Chief operating officer|COO]]</small><br />Blanca Juti, <small>[[Chief marketing officer|CMO]]</small>
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| native_name = Rovio Entertainment Oyj
| products = ''[[Angry Birds|Angry Birds Series]]''<br />[[Toons.TV]]
| traded_as =
| revenue = {{€|173&nbsp;million|link=yes}} (2015)<ref name="2013 Financial Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.rovio.com/en/news/press-releases/495/rovio-entertainment-reports-2013-financial-results|title=Rovio Entertainment Reports 2013 Financial Results|date=28 April 2015|publisher=Rovio Entertainment|accessdate=9 May 2014}}</ref>
| ISIN =
| net_income = {{€|26.9&nbsp;million}} (2013)<ref name="2013 Financial Results" />
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| owner = Kaj Hed (70% owner)<ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson |first=Greg |url=http://www.arcticstartup.com/2013/06/10/rovios-updated-ownership-structure-points-to-luxembourg-based-accel-subsidary |title=Rovio's Updated Ownership Structure Points To Luxembourg-Based Accel Subsidiary |publisher=Arcticstartup.com |date=10 June 2013 |accessdate=8 January 2014}}</ref>
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2003|1|8}} in [[Helsinki]], Finland
| num_employees = 800 (April 2014)<ref name="2013 Financial Results"/>
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Niklas Hed|Jarno Väkeväinen|Kim Dikert}}
| divisions = [[Rovio Animation]]<br />[[Rovio Stars]]<br />[[Rovio LVL11]]
| hq_location_city = [[Espoo]]
| subsid = [[Futuremark Games Studio]]
| hq_location_country = Finland
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.rovio.com/|Official website}}
| num_locations = 8 studios<ref name="ar2020" />
| foundation = 2003 (as Relude) <br>2005 (as Rovio Mobile) <br> 2011 (as Rovio Entertainment)
| num_locations_year = 2022
| location = [[Espoo]], [[Finland]]<ref name="edge"/>
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Alexandre Pelletier-Normand {{small|([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])}}|Teemu Tertsunen {{small|([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])}}|Flea the Bea {{small|([[Chief sustainability officer|CSO]])}}}}
| products = ''[[Angry Birds]]'' series
| revenue = {{Increase}} {{€|317.7&nbsp;million|link=yes}}<ref name="ar2020">{{Cite web |url=https://investors.rovio.com/sites/rovio-ir-v2/files/2023-02/Rovio%20Q4-2022_interim%20report.pdf |title=Annual report 2022 |access-date=16 February 2023 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210001641/https://investors.rovio.com/sites/rovio-ir-v2/files/2023-02/Rovio%20Q4-2022_interim%20report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| revenue_year = 2022
| operating_income = {{Decrease}} {{€|28.6&nbsp;million}}<ref name="ar2020" />
| income_year = 2022
| net_income = {{Decrease}} {{€|22.9&nbsp;million}}<ref name="ar2020" />
| net_income_year = 2022
| num_employees = {{Increase}} 513<ref name="ar2020" />
| num_employees_year = 2022
| parent = [[Sega]] (2023–present)
| divisions =
| subsid = [[Ruby Games]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.rovio.com/|rovio.com}}
}}
}}


'''Rovio Entertainment Oyj''' (formerly '''Relude Oy''' and '''Rovio Mobile Oy''') is a Finnish [[video game developer]] based in [[Espoo]]. Founded in 2003 by [[Helsinki University of Technology]] students Niklas Hed, Jarno Väkeväinen and Kim Dikert, the company is best known for the ''[[Angry Birds]]'' franchise. The company currently operates studios in Barcelona, Toronto, Montreal, Espoo, [[Stockholm]], and [[Copenhagen]]. The company's success has helped to establish Finland as a leading player in the mobile game industry and has helped to create a thriving ecosystem for game development in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-30 |title=How Finland Became a Major Player in the Global Gaming Industry? {{!}} The Enterprise World |url=https://theenterpriseworld.com/how-finland-became-a-major-player/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |language=en-US |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130181700/https://theenterpriseworld.com/how-finland-became-a-major-player/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2023, [[Sega]] bought Rovio for {{USD|776 million}} and was made a subsidiary of the Sega Europe division.<ref name="Reid">{{Cite web |last=Reid |first=Jenni |date=2023-04-17 |title=Sega to acquire Angry Birds maker Rovio for $776 million |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/17/sega-to-acquire-angry-birds-maker-rovio-for-776-million.html |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sega-has-completed-its-acquisition-of-rovio/ | title = Sega has completed its acquisition of Rovio | first= Chris | last= Scullion | date = August 18, 2023 | accessdate= August 18, 2023 | work = [[Video Games Chronicle]] }}</ref>
'''Rovio Entertainment Ltd''', previously known as '''Relude''' and '''Rovio Mobile''', is a [[Finland|Finnish]] [[video game developer|developer]], [[video game publisher|publisher]], [[Distribution (business)|distributor]] of [[video games]] and is an entertainment company headquartered in [[Espoo]], [[Finland]].<ref name="Wauters">{{cite web|url=http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/12/21/inside-the-nest-how-angry-birds-catapulted-rovio-to-the-stars-and-what-happens-next/2/|title=Inside the nest: After 3 years of Angry Birds, what’s next for Rovio?|last=Wauters|first=Robin|date=21 December 2012|work=[[The Next Web]]|accessdate=11 August 2013}}</ref> The company was founded in 2003 as a mobile game development studio named ''Relude'', and was renamed to ''Rovio Mobile'' (Finnish for ''[[pyre]]'') in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rovio.com/index.php?page=contact/|title=Rovio - Contact|date=1 October 2010|accessdate=1 October 2010|publisher=Rovio}}</ref> The company is best known for creating the ''[[Angry Birds]]'' franchise.


==History==
== History ==
[[File:Rovio Entertainment Hdqtrs 1.jpg|left|thumb|300x300px|Rovio headquarters is in this office complex in [[Keilaniemi]], Espoo.]]
In 2003, three students from Helsinki University of Technology (currently [[Aalto University School of Science]]), Niklas Hed, Jarno Väkeväinen and Kim Dikert, participated in a mobile game development competition at the [[Assembly (demo party)|Assembly demo party]] sponsored by [[Nokia]] and [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]]. A victory with a multiplayer game called ''King of the Cabbage World'' led the trio, along with Niklas Hed's cousin Mikael Hed, to set up their own company, Relude. ''King of the Cabbage World'' was sold to Sumea (now known as Sumea Studios as part of [[Digital Chocolate]]), and renamed to ''Mole War'', which became one of the first commercial real-time multiplayer mobile games. In January 2005, Relude received its first round of investment from a [[Angel investor|business angel]], and the company changed its name to Rovio Mobile.<ref>[http://venturebeat.com/2013/11/24/in-the-land-of-angry-birds-my-trip-to-rovios-headquarters-photo-gallery/ In the land of Angry Birds: Rovio reveals its global entertainment ambitions (photo gallery)]. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 15 Junes 2015.</ref>


=== 2003–2009: early years ===
In 2009, Mikael Hed became the CEO. In December 2009, Rovio released ''[[Angry Birds (video game)|Angry Birds]],'' its 52nd game, a puzzle game where a bird is flung using a slingshot for the [[iPhone]]; it reached No. 1 spot in the [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]] paid apps chart after six months, and remained charted for months after.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://venturebeat.com/2013/11/24/in-the-land-of-angry-birds-my-trip-to-rovios-headquarters-photo-gallery/?utm_source=scoopinion |title=In the land of Angry Birds: Rovio reveals its global entertainment ambitions |publisher=Venturebeat.com |accessdate=25 November 2013}}</ref> ''Angry Birds'' has since been downloaded over 1 billion times,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allthingsd.com/20120509/rovio-ceo-when-to-go-public-is-up-to-dad-other-owners/ |title=Rovio Passes a Billion Angry Birds Downloads, Still Mulling IPO - Ina Fried - Mobile |publisher=AllThingsD |date=9 May 2012 |accessdate=14 July 2012}}</ref> with paid downloads accounting for more than 25% of total downloads, making it one of the top selling games in the [[App Store (iOS)|Apple App Store]].
In 2003, three students from the [[Helsinki University of Technology]], Niklas Hed, Jarno Väkeväinen and Kim Dikert, participated in a mobile game development competition at the [[Assembly demo party]] sponsored by [[Nokia]] and [[Hewlett-Packard]]. A victory with a mobile game called ''King of the Cabbage World'' led the trio to set up their own company, Relude. ''King of the Cabbage World'' was sold to Sumea, and renamed to ''Mole War'', which became one of the first commercial real-time multiplayer mobile games. In January 2005, Relude received its first round of investment from a [[Angel investor|business angel]], and the company changed its name to Rovio Mobile, where "rovio" translates from [[Finnish language|Finnish]] as "[[pyre]]".<ref name="venturebeat.com">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2013/11/24/in-the-land-of-angry-birds-my-trip-to-rovios-headquarters-photo-gallery/view-all/ |title=In the land of Angry Birds: Rovio reveals its global entertainment ambitions (photo gallery) |date=24 November 2013 |website=venturebeat.com |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143357/https://venturebeat.com/2013/11/24/in-the-land-of-angry-birds-my-trip-to-rovios-headquarters-photo-gallery/view-all/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


In 2009, the board gave Mikael Hed the job of CEO. In December 2009, Rovio released ''[[Angry Birds (video game)|Angry Birds]]'', its 52nd game, a puzzle game where a bird is flung at pigs using a slingshot for the [[iPhone]]; it reached No. 1 spot in the [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]] paid apps chart after six months, and remained charted for months after.<ref name="venturebeat.com"/>
In March 2011, Rovio raised $42 million in venture capital funding from Accel Partners, Atomico and Felicis Ventures.<ref name=post>{{cite news |title=Angry Birds Turn Rich, Get $42 Million in Funding |work=Mashable |date=10 March 2011 |url=http://mashable.com/2011/03/10/angry-birds-42-million-funding/ }}</ref> In July 2011, the company changed its name to Rovio Entertainment Ltd.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wingfield |first=Nick |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904480904576498460747826834.html?mod=googlewsj |title=Rovio Has Plans for 'Angry Birds' Movies, Books and Toys - WSJ.com |publisher=Online.wsj.com |date=10 August 2011 |accessdate=18 September 2013}}</ref> In June 2011, the company hired [[David Maisel]] to lead their [[The Angry Birds Movie|'Angry Bird' movie]] production.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angry Birds hires movie producer for 'future films' |work=BBC.co.uk |date=5 July 2011 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/14019732 }}</ref> By October 2011, Rovio purchased Kombo, a Helsinki-based animation company.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rovio Acquires animation studio Kombo|url=http://www.rovio.fi/en/news/blog/76/rovio-acquires-animation-studio-kombo/|work=Rovio News}}</ref> The animation studio was acquired to produce a series of short videos released in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angry Birds confirm work on a film version is underway |work=BBC.co.uk |date=20 October 2011 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/15385699}}</ref> In March 2012, Rovio acquired Futuremark Game Studios, the game development division of [[Benchmark (computing)|benchmarking]] company [[Futuremark]] for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ratcliffe|first=Chris|title="Angry Birds" creator adds Futuremark Game Studio’s team to fleet of talent|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/techology/angry-birds-creator-adds-futuremark-game-studios-team-to-fleet-of-talent/2012/03/27/gIQAHWooeS_story.html|publisher= Bloomberg|accessdate=28 March 2012|date=27 March 2012}}</ref>


=== 2010–2014: international success ===
In May 2012, Rovio announced that its game series ''[[Angry Birds]]'' had reached its one billionth download. In July 2012, Rovio announced a distribution partnership with [[Activision]] to bring the first three ''Angry Birds'' titles to video game consoles and handhelds, in a collection named ''Angry Birds Trilogy''. The title was released in September 2012. In November 2012, Rovio released ''Angry Birds Star Wars'', an iteration of its popular game licensed from the ''Star Wars'' original trilogy, for mobile devices and PC.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oh God, They Really Are Making Angry Birds: Star Wars|url=http://www.uproxx.com/gammasquad/2012/10/oh-god-they-really-are-making-angry-birds-star-wars/#more-156168|publisher=UPROXX}}</ref> Rovio partnered with Activision again to port the title to video game consoles and handhelds, with it being released on those platforms in October 2013. A sequel, ''Angry Birds Star Wars II'', based on the ''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy, was released in September 2013.
In March 2011, Rovio raised $42 million in venture capital funding from Accel Partners, Atomico and Felicis Ventures.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/angry-birds-dev-raises-42-million/1100-6303510/ |title=Angry Birds dev raises $42 million |first=Tor |last=Thorsen |date=11 March 2011 |website=gamespot.com |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143318/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/angry-birds-dev-raises-42-million/1100-6303510/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In July 2011, the company changed its name to Rovio Entertainment.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904480904576498460747826834 |title='Angry Birds' Spreads Wings |first=Nick |last=Wingfield |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=19 July 2018 |via=www.wsj.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719173426/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904480904576498460747826834 |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/12/21/inside-the-nest-how-angry-birds-catapulted-rovio-to-the-stars-and-what-happens-next/|title=After 3 Years Of Angry Birds, What's Next For Rovio?|first=Robin|last=Wauters|date=21 December 2012|website=The Next Web|access-date=2 September 2019|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026075407/https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/12/21/inside-the-nest-how-angry-birds-catapulted-rovio-to-the-stars-and-what-happens-next/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2011, the company hired [[David Maisel]] to lead their [[The Angry Birds Movie|''Angry Birds'' movie]] production.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/14019732/angry-birds-hires-movie-producer-for-future-films |title=Angry Birds hires movie producer for 'future films' – BBC Newsbeat |date=7 May 2011 |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826150141/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/14019732/angry-birds-hires-movie-producer-for-future-films |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> By October 2011, Rovio purchased Kombo, a Helsinki-based animation company.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/rovio-acquires-finnish-animation-studio-kombo-for-cash-and-stock/ |title=Rovio Acquires Finnish Animation Studio Kombo For Cash and Stock |website=adweek.com |date=June 2011 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719174847/https://www.adweek.com/digital/rovio-acquires-finnish-animation-studio-kombo-for-cash-and-stock/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The animation studio was acquired to produce a series of short videos released in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/15385699/angry-birds-confirm-work-on-a-film-version-is-underway |title=Angry Birds confirm work on a film version is underway – BBC Newsbeat |first=Dan |last=Whitworth |date=20 October 2011 |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826150139/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/15385699/angry-birds-confirm-work-on-a-film-version-is-underway |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In March 2012, Rovio acquired Futuremark Game Studios, the game development division of [[Benchmark (computing)|benchmarking]] company [[Futuremark]], for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/3/27/2905608/rovio-futuremark-games-studio-acquisition |title='Angry Birds' creator Rovio acquires Futuremark Games Studio |website=theverge.com |date=27 March 2012 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143246/https://www.theverge.com/2012/3/27/2905608/rovio-futuremark-games-studio-acquisition |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


In May 2012, Rovio announced that its game series ''[[Angry Birds]]'' had reached its one billionth download. In July 2012, Rovio announced a distribution partnership with [[Activision]] to bring the first three ''Angry Birds'' titles to video game consoles and handhelds, in a collection named ''Angry Birds Trilogy''. It was released in September 2012. In November 2012, Rovio released ''Angry Birds Star Wars'', an iteration of its popular game licensed from the ''Star Wars'' original trilogy, for mobile devices and PC. Rovio partnered with Activision again to port the title to video game consoles and handhelds, with it being released on those platforms in October 2013. A sequel, ''Angry Birds Star Wars II'', based on the ''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy, was released in September 2013.
[[File:ToonsTV logo.svg|thumb|ToonsTV logo]]
In March 2013, Rovio launched its multi-platform [[#ToonsTV|ToonsTV]] channel starting with ''[[Angry Birds Toons]]''.<ref name=thr>{{cite news|last=Holdsworth |first=Nick |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rovio-announces-second-season-angry-636435 |title=Rovio Announces Second Season of 'Angry Birds Toons' Series |publisher=Hollywood Reporter |date=25 September 2013 |accessdate=13 November 2013}}</ref> As of 2013, Rovio became a video game publisher and is publishing third party games through their Rovio Stars program.<ref name="Albanesius">{{cite news|url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2418961,00.asp|title=Angry Birds Maker Releasing Third-Party Games Via 'Rovio Stars'|last=Albanesius|first=Chloe|date=14 May 2013|work=[[PC Magazine]]|accessdate=11 August 2013}}</ref>


In March 2013, Rovio launched its multi-platform [[Toons.TV]] channel starting with ''[[Angry Birds Toons]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rovio-announces-second-season-angry-636435 |title=Rovio Announces Second Season of 'Angry Birds Toons' Series |website=hollywoodreporter.com |date=25 September 2013 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143046/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rovio-announces-second-season-angry-636435 |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> As of 2013, Rovio became a video game publisher and is publishing third party games through its Rovio Stars program.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/05/14/angry-birds-maker-rovio-will-now-publish-and-market-select-third-party-games/ |title=Angry Birds Maker Rovio Will Now Publish And Market Select Third-Party Games |website=techcrunch.com |date=14 May 2013 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143025/https://techcrunch.com/2013/05/14/angry-birds-maker-rovio-will-now-publish-and-market-select-third-party-games/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The channel was discontinued in 2017.
In January 2014, Rovio announced that its game series ''Angry Birds'' had reached its two billionth download.<ref>[http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/22/angry-birds-series-pecks-up-2-billion-downloads/ Angry Birds series pecks up 2 billion downloads]. January 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2015.</ref> In addition, it was revealed that their flagship series, ''Angry Birds'', "leaked data" to third-party companies, possibly to surveillance agencies like the [[National Security Agency|NSA]].<ref name="NSAleaky">{{cite news|title=Angry Birds and 'leaky' phone apps targeted by NSA and GCHQ for user data |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/nsa-gchq-smartphone-app-angry-birds-personal-data |first=James |last=Ball |date=28 January 2014 |agency=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=30 January 2014}}</ref> In retaliation, anti-NSA hackers defaced Rovio's website.<ref name="deface">{{cite news|title=Angry anti-NSA hackers pwn Angry Birds site after GCHQ data slurp |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/01/29/angrybirds_website_defaced_nsa_gchq_spying/ |first=John |last=Leyden |date=29 January 2014|agency=[[The Register]] |accessdate=30 January 2014}}</ref>


In January 2014, Rovio announced that its game series ''Angry Birds'' had reached its two billionth download.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/01/22/angry-birds-series-pecks-up-2-billion-downloads/ |title=Angry Birds series pecks up 2 billion downloads |website=engadget.com |date=22 January 2014 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143103/https://www.engadget.com/2014/01/22/angry-birds-series-pecks-up-2-billion-downloads/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In addition, it was revealed that their flagship series, ''Angry Birds'', "leaked data" to third-party companies, possibly to surveillance agencies like the [[National Security Agency|NSA]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/nsa-gchq-smartphone-app-angry-birds-personal-data |title=Angry Birds and 'leaky' phone apps targeted by NSA and GCHQ for user data |first=James |last=Ball |date=28 January 2014 |website=the Guardian |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302173109/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/nsa-gchq-smartphone-app-angry-birds-personal-data |archive-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In retaliation, anti-NSA hackers defaced Rovio's website.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25949341 |title=Hackers deface Angry Birds website |work=BBC News |date=19 July 2018 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826150137/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25949341 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
In May 2014, Rovio launched a new publishing arm, Rovio LVL11, to release experimental games.<ref>{{cite web|title= Rovio's New "LVL11 Publishing Arm Announces It's First Game: RETRY|url=http://www.angrybirdsnest.com/rovios-lvl11-new-publishing-arm-announces-retry/|publisher=AngryBirdsNest}}</ref> The first game published under Rovio LVL11 is ''[[Retry]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=An addictive game of RETRY also known as Flappy Bird|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2014/05/06/retry-game-play/|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref> and the second is ''Selfie Slam''.<ref name="Pocket Gamer">{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/Selfie+Slam/news.asp?c=61536|title=Selfie Slam is a collection of silly mini-games from Rovio that's in soft launch for iPad and iPhone|date=16 September 2014|work=Pocket Gamer}}</ref> As of June 2014, Rovio considers themselves an entertainment company, not just a game company. This is reinforced by Rovio's merchandise and licensing business accounting for about half of their annual revenue of $216 million in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/06/18/irate-mighty-eagle-says-angry-birds-maker-is-not-a-games-company/ |title=Mighty Eagle: Angry Birds Maker Not a Games Company - Digits - WSJ |publisher=[[Wall Street Journal]] |date=18 June 2014 |accessdate=23 June 2014}}</ref>


In May 2014, Rovio launched a new publishing arm, Rovio LVL11, to release experimental games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/7/5691382/rovios-lvl11-publishing-experimental-games |title=Rovio's new publishing arm LVL11 is a 'magical place' for experimental games |website=polygon.com |date=7 May 2014 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143345/https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/7/5691382/rovios-lvl11-publishing-experimental-games |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The first game published under Rovio LVL11 is ''[[Retry (video game)|Retry]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/7/5690134/angry-birds-flappy-birds-retry-mobile-ios-rovio |title=Angry Birds developers reveal Flappy Bird-inspired mobile game Retry |website=polygon.com |date=7 May 2014 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143332/https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/7/5690134/angry-birds-flappy-birds-retry-mobile-ios-rovio |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and the second is ''Selfie Slam''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Selfie+Slam/news.asp?c=61536 |title=Selfie Slam is a collection of silly mini-games from Rovio that's in soft launch for iPad and iPhone |website=pocketgamer.co.uk |date=16 September 2014 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719173524/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/Selfie+Slam/news.asp?c=61536 |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> As of June 2014, Rovio considers themselves an entertainment company, not just a game company. This is reinforced by Rovio's merchandise and licensing business accounting for about half of their annual revenue of $216 million in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/06/18/irate-mighty-eagle-says-angry-birds-maker-is-not-a-games-company/ |title=Mighty Eagle: Angry Birds Maker Not a Games Company |first=Juhana |last=Rossi |date=18 June 2014 |website=wsj.com |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616035151/https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/06/18/irate-mighty-eagle-says-angry-birds-maker-is-not-a-games-company/ |archive-date=16 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
In August 2014, Rovio announced that Mikael Hed would step down as CEO in January 2015 in favor of Pekka Rantala.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2014/08/29/technology/angry-birds-ceo/|title=Struggling Angry Birds maker dumping CEO|author=Chris Isidore|date=29 August 2014|work=CNNMoney}}</ref> Hed remained on Rovio's board and became the chairman of Rovio Animation. In December 2014, Rovio [[layoff|laid off]] 110 employees after net profits halved in 2013 due to its recent games, ''Angry Birds Epic'' and ''Go!'', which have not been that successful as past games.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://venturebeat.com/2015/02/19/rovio-taps-chinese-developer-to-create-a-regional-angry-birds-games/|title=Angry Birds lay off 130 staff members|publisher=Venture Beat|date=19 February 2015}}</ref> After this move, Rovio closed its [[Tampere]] studio, moving those operations to its [[Espoo]] location. At the end of 2014, Rovio suffered from a 73% decrease in profit, earning only €10 million. Pekka Rantala stated that the decrease is due to the poor sales of the licensed merchandise and the by-products of ''Angry Birds''. He also noted that "the company are unsatisfied over the result of our licensing business".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2015/03/19/angry-birds-dev-profits-falling-off-sharply-but-not-for-the-reason-you-think/|title=Angry Birds dev profits falling off sharply – but not for the reason you think|author=Brenna Hillier|work=[[VG 247]]|date=19 March 2015|accessdate=19 March 2015}}</ref> In August 2015, Rovio laid off 260 employees worldwide after Angry Birds toy and merchandise revenue fell by 43% during 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-26-angry-birds-developer-rovio-to-lay-off-260-staff|title=Angry Birds developer Rovio to lay off 260 staff|publisher=Europegamer.net|accessdate=22 October 2015}}</ref> In December 2015, Rantala announced that he will step down as the CEO and will be succeeded by Kati Levoranta, former chief legal officer of Rovio, in January 2016.<ref>[http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/9/9878424/rovio-angry-birds-ceo-replaced Rovio's CEO steps down after just over a year on the job] The Verge. Retrieved 10 December 2015.</ref>


=== 2014–present: decline and acquisition by Sega ===
==Divisions==
In August 2014, Rovio announced that Mikael Hed would step down as CEO in January 2015 in favour of Pekka Rantala.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/08/29/technology/angry-birds-ceo/ |title=Struggling Angry Birds maker dumping CEO |first=Chris |last=Isidore |website=cnn.com |date=29 August 2014 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143405/https://money.cnn.com/2014/08/29/technology/angry-birds-ceo/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Hed remained on Rovio's board and became the chairman of [[Rovio Animation]]. In December 2014, Rovio [[layoff|laid off]] 110 employees after net profits halved in 2013 due to its recent games, ''Angry Birds Epic'' and ''Go!'', which have not been that successful as past games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/12/04/angry-birds-maker-rovio-reduces-layoffs-to-110-and-will-close-a-studio/ |title=Angry Birds maker Rovio reduces layoffs to 110 and will close a studio |date=4 December 2014 |website=venturebeat.com |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143343/https://venturebeat.com/2014/12/04/angry-birds-maker-rovio-reduces-layoffs-to-110-and-will-close-a-studio/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> After this move, Rovio closed its [[Tampere]] studio, moving their operations to its [[Espoo]] location. At the end of 2014, Rovio suffered from a 73% decrease in profit, earning only €10 million. Pekka Rantala stated that the decrease is due to the poor sales of the licensed merchandise and the by-products of ''Angry Birds''. He also noted that "the company are unsatisfied over the result of our licensing business".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2015/03/19/angry-birds-dev-profits-falling-off-sharply-but-not-for-the-reason-you-think/ |title=Angry Birds dev profits falling off sharply – but not for the reason you think – VG247 |date=19 March 2015 |website=vg247.com |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719145546/https://www.vg247.com/2015/03/19/angry-birds-dev-profits-falling-off-sharply-but-not-for-the-reason-you-think/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In August 2015, Rovio laid off 260 employees worldwide after Angry Birds toy and merchandise revenue fell by 43% during 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-26-angry-birds-developer-rovio-to-lay-off-260-staff |title=Angry Birds developer Rovio to lay off 260 staff |website=eurogamer.net |date=26 August 2015 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143110/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-26-angry-birds-developer-rovio-to-lay-off-260-staff |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In December 2015, Rantala announced that he would step down as the CEO and would be succeeded by Kati Levoranta, former chief legal officer of Rovio, in January 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/9/9878424/rovio-angry-birds-ceo-replaced |title=Rovio's CEO steps down after just over a year on the job |website=theverge.com |date=9 December 2015 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719113654/https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/9/9878424/rovio-angry-birds-ceo-replaced |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


On 16 January 2017, Rovio opened its new game studio in London to focus on [[massively multiplayer online games]].<ref>{{cite news |date=16 January 2017 |title=Angry Birds maker Rovio opens new games studio in London |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/rovio-games-idUSL5N1F40AQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143310/https://www.reuters.com/article/rovio-games-idUSL5N1F40AQ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |access-date=19 July 2018 |website=reuters.com |df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 15 February, Rovio announced that it will be cutting at least 35 jobs as it restructures the animation division.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/angry-birds-owner-rovio-to-cut-jobs-1487153622 |title='Angry Birds' Owner Rovio to Cut Jobs |first=Matthias |last=Verbergt |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=15 February 2017 |access-date=19 July 2018 |via=www.wsj.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719173401/https://www.wsj.com/articles/angry-birds-owner-rovio-to-cut-jobs-1487153622 |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In March, Kaiken Entertainment, founded by former Rovio CEO Mikael Hed, acquired Rovio's [[Rovio Animation|animation division]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/rovio-mikael-hed-angry-birds-kaiken-1202003088/|title=Rovio Founder Launches Kaiken Entertainment, Takes Over Rovio's TV Animation, Publishing|first1=Carita|last1=Rizzo|date=7 March 2017|access-date=19 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143413/https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/rovio-mikael-hed-angry-birds-kaiken-1202003088/|archive-date=19 July 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Later that month Rovio reported that it has returned to profitability with a gross revenue of US$201 million with the success of the ''Angry Birds Movie'' and its recent video games.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rovio-results/angry-birds-dependent-games-maker-rovio-swings-to-annual-profit-idUSKBN1672JM |title=Angry Birds-dependent games maker Rovio swings to annual profit |first=Jussi |last=Rosendahl |website=reuters.com |date=28 February 2017 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143308/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rovio-results/angry-birds-dependent-games-maker-rovio-swings-to-annual-profit-idUSKBN1672JM |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In June, Kaj Hed resigned as chairman of Rovio and Mika Ihamuotila succeeded him as new chairman.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/job-news/65888/rovio-appoints-mika-ihamuotila-chairman-of-the-board/ |title=Rovio's Board of Directors appoints Mika Ihamuotila as new Chairman of the Board |website=pocketgamer.biz |date=2 June 2017 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143320/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/job-news/65888/rovio-appoints-mika-ihamuotila-chairman-of-the-board/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 5 September, Rovio announced its intention to become a publicly-traded company.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/05/angry-birds-maker-rovio-announces-plans-for-ipo-to-raise-36-million/ |title=Angry Birds maker Rovio announces plans for IPO to raise $36 million |date=5 September 2017 |website=venturebeat.com |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719143240/https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/05/angry-birds-maker-rovio-announces-plans-for-ipo-to-raise-36-million/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In October, Rovio shares were sold at [[NASDAQ Helsinki]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development/rovio-confirm-plan-for-ipo-on-helsinki-nasdaq |title=Rovio confirm plan for IPO on Helsinki NASDAQ |website=mcvuk.com |date=5 September 2017 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826145759/https://www.mcvuk.com/development/rovio-confirm-plan-for-ipo-on-helsinki-nasdaq |archive-date=26 August 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and the company was valued at $1 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/15/angry-birds-maker-rovio-sets-ipo-price-range-that-values-company-around-1-billion/ |title=Angry Birds maker Rovio sets IPO price range that values company around $1 billion |date=15 September 2017 |website=venturebeat.com |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719145017/https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/15/angry-birds-maker-rovio-sets-ipo-price-range-that-values-company-around-1-billion/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
===Rovio Animation===
{{See also|Toons.TV}}
Rovio Animation produces content for multiplatform channel ToonsTV, which is owned by Rovio. It is available in most of the Rovio apps, video-on-demand providers, [[smart TV]]s and other connected devices.<ref name=thr/> As of December 2014, its content was viewed more than four billion times.<ref>{{cite web|title=ToonsTV Hit 4 Billion Views|url=http://rov.io/fourbillion|publisher=Rovio|accessdate=16 December 2014|date=16 December 2014}}</ref>


On 2 March 2018, Rovio announced the closure of its London studio after disappointing results.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/03/02/angry-birds-maker-rovio-shutters-london-studio-results-disappoint/ |title=Angry Birds maker Rovio shutters London studio as results disappoint |first=Matthew |last=Field |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=2 March 2018 |access-date=19 July 2018 |via=www.telegraph.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622184451/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/03/02/angry-birds-maker-rovio-shutters-london-studio-results-disappoint/ |archive-date=22 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Later on 14 November, Rovio announced that it appointed the former [[Gameloft]] executive Alexandre Pelletier-Normand as executive vice president of its game business unit. He started his role on January 2, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/ex-gameloft-exec-joins-rovio-entertainment-1203028274/ |title=Ex-Gameloft Exec Joins 'Angry Birds' Developer Rovio Entertainment |first=Stefanie |last=Fogel |date=14 November 2018 |access-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115113352/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/ex-gameloft-exec-joins-rovio-entertainment-1203028274/ |archive-date=15 November 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 30 November 2018, Rovio announced that they had fully acquired PlayRaven, the developer known for making strategy games such as ''Eve: War of Ascension''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/legal-uk-playraven-m-a-rovio-idUSKCN1O02VV|title=Angry Birds firm Rovio buys strategy game studio PlayRaven|newspaper=Reuters|date=1 December 2018|via=www.reuters.com|access-date=13 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222613/https://www.reuters.com/article/legal-uk-playraven-m-a-rovio-idUSKCN1O02VV|archive-date=15 December 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|last1=Rosendahl|first1=Anne Kauranen}}</ref>
On 16 March 2013, ToonsTV was launched by Rovio starting with ''[[Angry Birds Toons]]''.<ref name=thr/> It was followed by a ''[[Bad Piggies]]''-based animated series ''[[Piggy Tales]]'', which premiered on 11 April 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Brand-new Series Hits Toons.TV - Get Ready For the Piggy tales|url=http://www.rovio.com/en/news/blog/491/a-brand-new-series-hits-toonstv-%E2%80%93-get-ready-for-piggy-tales/|publisher=Rovio|accessdate=4 October 2014|date=11 April 2014}}</ref> The second season of ''Angry Birds Toons'' debuted on 19 October 2014,<ref name=YouTubeS2Trailer>{{cite web|author1=RovioMobile|title=Angry Birds Toons - Season 2 Trailer!|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laW9I8abwio|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=15 October 2014|date=13 October 2014|quote=Angry Birds Toons Season 2 premiered Oct 19 on Toons.TV – with a new episode airing every week!}}</ref> and an [[Angry Birds Stella (TV series)|Stella animated series]] based on ''[[Angry Birds Stella]]'' came out on 1 November 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Angry Birds Stella Animated Series!|url=https://www.angrybirds.com/blog/angry-birds-stella-animated-series|publisher=Angry Birds|accessdate=4 October 2014|date=26 September 2014}}</ref> ''[[Piggy Tales#Piggy Tales: Pigs at Work (2015)|Piggy Tales: Pigs at Work]]'' debuted on 17 April 2015.


On 3 June 2020, Rovio acquired Darkfire Games for an undisclosed sum. The subsidiary became Rovio Copenhagen.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/06/03/2042670/0/en/Rovio-Entertainment-has-acquired-Darkfire-Games-Copenhagen-based-mobile-games-studio.html|title=Rovio Entertainment has acquired Darkfire Games – Copenhagen based mobile games studio|date=3 June 2020|access-date=20 June 2020|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621175517/http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/06/03/2042670/0/en/Rovio-Entertainment-has-acquired-Darkfire-Games-Copenhagen-based-mobile-games-studio.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 December Rovio announced that Executive Vice President of games, Alexandre Pelletier-Normand, would take over as CEO. The change went into effect on January 1, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-21|title=Alexandre Pelletier-Normand appointed as the new CEO|url=https://www.rovio.com/articles/alexandre-pelletier-normand-appointed-as-the-new-ceo-of-rovio-entertainment-corporation/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=Rovio|language=en-US|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305064559/https://www.rovio.com/articles/alexandre-pelletier-normand-appointed-as-the-new-ceo-of-rovio-entertainment-corporation/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, the [[New Mexico]] attorney general filed a federal lawsuit against Rovio, alleging the company illegally collected and sold private [[personal data]] of users under thirteen to third party advertisers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gillett|first=M. Tyler|date=28 August 2021|title=New Mexico sues Angry Birds developer over child privacy violations|url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2021/08/new-mexico-sues-angry-birds-developer-over-child-privacy-violations/|url-status=live|website=[[JURIST]]|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=23 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923164606/https://www.jurist.org/news/2021/08/new-mexico-sues-angry-birds-developer-over-child-privacy-violations/}}</ref>
ToonsTV also streams a third-party content, including [[Liquid Comics|Graphic India]]/[[POW! Entertainment|POW!]]/[[Stan Lee]]'s ''[[Chakra: The Invincible]]'' series, at least four shows from [[Xilam Animation]], [[National Geographic Kids]]’ ''Amazing Animals'', [[The Jim Henson Company|Jim Henson]]'s classic show ''[[Fraggle Rock]]'' and works from [[Hasbro Studios]].<ref name=thr/>


On 15 April 2023, [[IGN]] reported that [[Sega]] would be acquiring Rovio, with a deal close to $1 billion. Rovio had rejected an earlier acquisition bid from Israeli mobile company [[Playtika]] for $800 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=George |title=Sega is Reportedly Close to Acquiring Angry Birds Developer Rovio for $1 Billion |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sega-is-reportedly-close-to-acquiring-angry-birds-developer-rovio-for-1-billion |access-date=16 April 2023 |agency=IGN |date=15 April 2023}}</ref> Two days later [[Sega Sammy Holdings]] announced that they have made a €706 million ($776 million USD) tender offer to bid for Rovio, which closed on 17 August.<ref name="Reid" /> On December 7, Rovio closed down the [[Montreal]] based division Studio Lumi leading to the loss of 16 jobs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Sophie McEvoy Staff |date=2023-12-07 |title=Rovio closes Studio Lumi |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/rovio-closes-studio-lumi |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Daniel |date=2023-12-07 |title=Rovio close Studio Lumi in Montreal with the loss of 16 jobs |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/83001/rovio-close-studio-lumi-in-montreal-with-the-loss-of-16-jobs/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=pocketgamer.biz}}</ref>
In June 2015, Rovio announced that the ''Angry Birds'' [[YouTube]] channel had reached over two billion views.<ref>[https://www.angrybirds.com/blog/two-billion-views-on-youtube TWO BILLION VIEWS ON YOUTUBE!] Retrieved 12 June 2015.</ref>


== Games developed ==
In July 2015, Rovio teamed up with [[NASA]] to create the ''Rocket Science Show'', which features 15 episodes about the solar system as described by NASA experts.<ref>[http://www.angrybirdsnest.com/angry-birds-space-rocket-science-show-episode-guide/ Angry Birds Space Rocket Science Show Episode Guide]. Retrieved 13 August 2015</ref>


===Rovio Stars===
=== Pre-''Angry Birds'' ===
Prior to creating ''Angry Birds'', Rovio developed 51 games, a combination of work-for-hire projects, publishing contracts and independently released titles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/024243/interview-rovio-on-the-origin-of-angry-birds-being-inspired-by-swine-flu-and-why-you-may-never-see-an-angry-birds-2/ |title=Interview: Rovio on the origin of Angry Birds, being inspired by swine flu, and why you may never see an Angry Birds 2 |first=Jon |last=Mundy |date=13 October 2010 |website=[[PocketGamer]] |access-date=13 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113163244/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/024243/interview-rovio-on-the-origin-of-angry-birds-being-inspired-by-swine-flu-and-why-you-may-never-see-an-angry-birds-2/ |archive-date=13 November 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
As of 2013, Rovio became a video game publisher and is publishing third party games through their Rovio Stars program. In this program, Rovio helps other game studios develop their game and then helps to distribute the game. The Rovio Stars games are ''[[Tiny Thief]]'', ''[[Plunder Pirates]]'', and ''[[Sky Punks]]''.
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* ''[[Bounce (video game series)|Bounce]] Boing Voyage'' – [[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]] (2008)
* ''Bounce Evolution'' – [[Nokia N900]] (2009)
* ''Bounce Tales'' – [[Java ME]] (2008)
* ''Bounce Touch'' – [[Symbian^1]] (2008)
* ''Burger Rush'' – [[Java ME]] (2008)
* ''Burnout'' – Java ME (2007)
* ''Collapse Chaos'' – Java ME (2008)
* ''Cyber Blood'' – Java ME (2006)
* ''Darkest Fear'' – Java ME (2005), iOS (2009)
* ''Darkest Fear 2: Grim Oak'' – Java ME (2006)
* ''Darkest Fear 3: Nightmare'' – Java ME (2006)
* ''Desert Sniper'' – Java ME (2006)
* ''Dragon & Jade'' – Java ME (2007)
* ''Formula GP Racing'' – Java ME (2005)
* ''Gem Drop Deluxe'' – Java ME (2008)
* ''Marine Sniper'' – Java ME (2007)
* ''Mole War'' – Java ME (2004)
* ''[[Need for Speed: Carbon]]'' – Java ME (2006)
* ''Paid to Kill'' – Java ME (2004)
* ''Paper Planes'' – Java ME (2008)
* ''Patron Angel'' – Java ME (2007)
* ''Playman Winter Games'' – Java ME (2005)
* ''Shopping Madness'' – Java ME (2007)
* ''[[Space Impact|Space Impact: Meteor Shield]]'' – [[Nokia N97]] (2010)
* ''Star Marine'' – Java ME (2007)
* ''Sumea Ski Jump'' – Java ME (2007)
* ''[[SWAT Elite Troops]]'' – Java ME (2008)
* ''Totomi'' – iOS, [[Adobe Flash|Flash]], Java ME (2008)
* ''US Marine Corps Scout Sniper'' – Java ME (2006)
* ''War Diary: Burma'' – Java ME (2005)
* ''War Diary: Crusader'' – Java ME (2005)
* ''War Diary: Torpedo'' – Java ME (2005)
* ''Wolf Moon'' – Java ME (2006)
* ''X Factor 2008'' – Java ME (2008)
{{div col end}}


=== 2009–present ===
''[[Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage]]'', ''[[Juice Cubes]]'', ''[[Word Monsters]]'', and ''[[Jolly Jam]]'' were originally games from Rovio Stars. ''Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage'' was moved to [[Nitrome]],<ref>[http://www.nitrome.com/blog/articles/1048 Where is the Icebreaker Update? Tue, 08 Apr 2014]. Retrieved 8 July 2014.</ref> ''Juice Cubes'' was moved to Pocket PlayLab, ''Word Monsters'' was moved to Raketspel, and ''Jolly Jam'' was removed from the App Stores.
{| class="wikitable sortable"

===Rovio LVL11===
Rovio releases experimental games under their Rovio LVL11 publishing arm. The Rovio LVL11 games are ''[[Retry]]'' and ''Selfie Slam''.

''Retry'' was released worldwide in October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thenextweb.com/apps/2014/10/22/rovio-launches-retry-first-video-game-experimental-publishing-arm-lvl-11/|title=Rovio tries again with RETRY, its first game under experimental publishing arm LVL11|author=Nick Summers|date=22 October 2014|work=The Next Web}}</ref> In ''Selfie Slam'' the player takes a [[selfie]] and adds limbs to make an avatar, then uses the avatar to play a selection of mini-games; it was soft launched in September 2014 for iOS in selected regions.<ref name="Pocket Gamer"/> In December 2015, Rovio posted on a support page that development on ''Selfie Slam'' has been discontinued and that the worldwide release was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.rovio.com/hc/en-us/requests/1218683|title=Rovio FAQ Page|publisher=|date=23 December 2015}}</ref>

==Games==

===Developed by Rovio Entertainment===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | Year
! rowspan="2" | Year
Line 100: Line 143:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
| 2012
| rowspan="4" | 2012
| ''[[Angry Birds Space]]''
| ''[[Angry Birds Space]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 107: Line 150:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
|''[[Amazing Alex]]''
| 2012
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
| ''[[Bad Piggies]]''
| ''[[Bad Piggies]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 114: Line 162:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Angry Birds Star Wars]]''
| ''[[Angry Birds Star Wars]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 121: Line 168:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
| 2013
| rowspan="4" | 2013
|''[[The Croods (video game)|The Croods]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Angry Birds Friends]]''
| ''[[Angry Birds Friends]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 128: Line 181:
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Angry Birds Star Wars II]]''
| ''[[Angry Birds Star Wars II]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 135: Line 187:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Angry Birds Go!]]''
| ''[[Angry Birds Go!]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 142: Line 193:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
| 2014
| rowspan="5" | 2014
| ''[[Angry Birds Epic]]''
| ''[[Angry Birds Epic]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 149: Line 200:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Angry Birds Stella]]''
| ''[[Angry Birds Stella]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 156: Line 206:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|-
|''[[Angry Birds Transformers]]''
| 2014
| ''[[Angry Birds Transformers]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 163: Line 212:
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
|''Selfie Slam''
| 2015
| ''[[Angry Birds POP!]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|''[[Retry (video game)|Retry]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| 2015
| rowspan="5" | 2015
| ''[[Angry Birds Fight!]]''
| ''[[Angry Birds POP!]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 177: Line 231:
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Angry Birds 2]]''
| ''[[Angry Birds 2]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Nibblers (video game)|Nibblers]]''
| ''[[Nibblers (video game)|Nibblers]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 191: Line 243:
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
|''[[Love Rocks Starring Shakira]]''
| 2015
| ''[[Love Rocks starring Shakira|Love Rocks]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 198: Line 249:
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
|''[[Angry Birds Fight!]]''
| 2016
| ''[[Angry Birds Action!]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|}

====No longer available====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | Year
| rowspan="2" | 2016
|''[[Angry Birds Action!]]''
! width=200px rowspan="2" | Title
| {{Yes}}
! colspan="5" | Platform(s)
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| ''[[Angry Birds Blast!]]''
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| {{Yes}}
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[iOS]]
| {{Yes}}
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Personal computer|PC]]
| {{No}}
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Windows Phone|WP]]
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2017
| 2012
| ''[[Amazing Alex]]''
| ''[[Battle Bay]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| ''[[Angry Birds Evolution]]''
| 2013
| ''[[The Croods (video game)|The Croods]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|}

===Developed by Rovio LVL11===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Year
! width=200px rowspan="2" | Title
! colspan="5" | Platform(s)
|-
|-
| ''[[Angry Birds Match]]''
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[iOS]]
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Personal computer|PC]]
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Windows Phone|WP]]
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Retry]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|}

====No longer available====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| ''Angry Birds Champions''
! rowspan="2" | Year
! width=200px rowspan="2" | Title
! colspan="5" | Platform(s)
|-
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[iOS]]
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Personal computer|PC]]
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Windows Phone|WP]]
|-
| 2014
| ''Selfie Slam''
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|}

===Published by Rovio Stars===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| ''Angry Birds for Messenger''
! rowspan="2" | Year
| {{Yes}}
! width=200px rowspan="2" | Title
| {{Yes}}
! colspan="5" | Platform(s)
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="6" | 2019
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| ''[[Angry Birds Dream Blast]]''
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[iOS]]
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Personal computer|PC]]
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Windows Phone|WP]]
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Tiny Thief]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| ''[[Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs|Angry Birds VR/AR: Isle of Pigs]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| ''Angry Birds POP Blast''
| 2014
| ''[[Plunder Pirates]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 299: Line 318:
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| ''Angry Birds Explore''
| 2015
| ''[[Sky Punks]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|}

====No longer available====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| ''The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure''
! rowspan="2" | Year
| {{No}}
! width=200px rowspan="2" | Title
| {{No}}
! colspan="5" | Platform(s)
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| ''Sugar Blast''
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| {{Yes}}
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[iOS]]
| {{Yes}}
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Personal computer|PC]]
| {{No}}
! style="width:3em; font-size:90%" | [[Windows Phone|WP]]
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2020
| ''[[Jolly Jam]]''
| ''Small Town Murders''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|2021
| ''[[Angry Birds Reloaded]]''
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| ''Angry Birds: Bird Island''
| 2013
| {{Yes}}
| ''[[Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2022
| ''[[Angry Birds Journey]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 333: Line 363:
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
| ''[[Angry Birds (video game)|Rovio Classics: Angry Birds]]''
| 2013
| ''[[Juice Cubes]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2023
|''Angry Birds Kingdom''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|-
|''Bad Piggies 2''
| 2014
| ''[[Word Monsters]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |2024
|''Angry Birds Block Quest''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
|''[[Sonic Rumble]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Rovio/status/1788238401398817017?t=rG-nfDZDgamP2eDhoLdDBg&s=19|title=Rovio's involvement in ''Sonic Rumble''|work=X|publisher=Rovio|date=May 8, 2024|accessdate=May 8, 2024}}</ref>
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|}
|}


== Television series ==
===Other games developed by Rovio===
* ''[[Angry Birds Toons]]'' (2013–2016)
Rovio developed 51 games, which were a combination of work-for-hire projects, published games and independently released titles, before the success of the original Angry Birds. Here is a selection of these games:<ref>[https://www.westminster.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/182115/004.-The-System-and-Self-reference-of-the-App-Economy-Chih-Wen-Cheng.pdf The system and self-reference of the app economy: the case of Angry Birds] Providence University, Taiwan by Chih-Wen Cheng. Published in October 2012.</ref><ref name="PocketGamer2">{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Various/Angry+Birds/news.asp?c=24243|title=Interview: Rovio on the origin of Angry Birds, being inspired by swine flu, and why you may never see an Angry Birds 2|author=Jon Mundy|work=Pocket Gamer|date=13 October 2010|accessdate=30 November 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101017131113/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Various/Angry+Birds/news.asp?c=24243| archivedate= 17 October 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref>
* ''[[Piggy Tales]]'' (2014–2019)
{{Div col|cols=2}}
* ''[[Angry Birds Stella (TV series)|Angry Birds Stella]]'' (2014–2016)
* Bounce Evolution - [[Nokia N900]] (2009)
* Bounce Tales - [[Java ME]] (2008)
* ''[[Angry Birds Blues]]'' (2017)
* Bounce Touch - Java ME (2008)
* ''Angry Birds BirLd Cup'' (2018)
* ''[[Angry Birds Zero Gravity]]'' (2018)
* Bounce Boing Voyage - [[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]] (2008)
* Burger Rush - [[Java ME]] (2008)
* ''[[Angry Birds on the Run]]'' (2018–2020)
* ''[[Angry Birds MakerSpace]]'' (2019–present)
* Burnout - Java ME (2007)
* ''[[Angry Birds Slingshot Stories]]'' (2020–present)
* Collapse Chaos - Java ME (2008)
* ''[[Angry Birds Bubble Trouble]]'' (2020–present)
* Cyber Blood - Java ME (2006)
* ''[[Angry Birds: Summer Madness]]'' (2022)
* Darkest Fear - Java ME (2005), iOS (2009)
* ''[[Angry Birds Mystery Island]]'' (2024–present)
* Darkest Fear 2: Grim Oak - Java ME (2006)
* Darkest Fear 3: Nightmare - Java ME (2006)
* Desert Sniper - Java ME (2006)
* Dragon & Jade - Java ME (2007)
* Formula GP Racing - Java ME (2005)
* Gem Drop Deluxe - Java ME (2008)
* Marine Sniper - Java ME (2007)
* Mole War Java ME (2004)
* [[Need for Speed: Carbon]] - Java ME (2006)
* Paid to Kill - Java ME (2004)
* Paper Planes - Java ME (2008)
* Patron Angel - Java ME (2007)
* Playman Winter Games - Java ME (2005)
* Shopping Madness - Java ME (2007)
* [[Space Impact|Space Impact: Meteor Shield]] - [[Nokia N97]] (2010)
* Star Marine - Java ME (2007)
* Sumea Ski Jump - Java ME (2007)
* [[SWAT Elite Troops]] - Java ME (2008)
* Totomi - iOS, [[Adobe Flash|Flash]], Java ME (2008)
* US Marine Corps Scout Sniper - Java ME (2006)
* War Diary: Burma - Java ME (2005)
* War Diary: Crusader - Java ME (2005)
* War Diary: Torpedo - Java ME (2005)
* Wolf Moon - Java ME (2006)
* [[The X Factor|X Factor 2008]] - Java ME (2008)
{{Div col end}}


== Feature films ==
==Television series==
*''[[Angry Birds Toons]]'' (2013–present)
* ''[[The Angry Birds Movie]]'' (2016)
*''[[Piggy Tales]]'' (2014–present)
* ''[[The Angry Birds Movie 2]]'' (2019)
*''[[Angry Birds Stella (TV Series)|Angry Birds Stella]]'' (2014–2016)
* ''[[The Angry Birds Movie 3]]'' (TBA)
{{Div col end}}


==Feature films==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
*''[[The Angry Birds Movie]]'' (20 May 2016) (co-production with [[Columbia Pictures]] and [[Sony Pictures Imageworks]]). In 2019, The Angry Birds Movie 2 sequel will be in cinemas, because in the previous film, Leonard is hatching a new plan.
{{Div col end}}


== External links ==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Rovio Mobile}}
{{Commons category|Rovio Mobile}}
{{Portal|Finland|Companies|Video games}}
{{Portal|Finland|Companies|Video games}}
* {{Official website|http://www.rovio.com/}}
* {{Official website|https://www.rovio.com/}}

{{Angry Birds}}
{{Rovio Games}}
{{Rovio Games}}
{{Sega}}
{{Sega Sammy Holdings}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Rovio Entertainment| ]]
[[Category:Finnish companies established in 1988]]
[[Category:Sega divisions and subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Companies based in Espoo]]
[[Category:Companies based in Espoo]]
[[Category:Companies established in 2003]]
[[Category:Companies of Finland]]
[[Category:International Game Developers Association members]]
[[Category:Mobile game companies]]
[[Category:Mobile game companies]]
[[Category:Privately held companies of Finland]]
[[Category:2017 initial public offerings]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1988]]
[[Category:Video game companies of Finland]]
[[Category:Video game companies of Finland]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on Nasdaq Helsinki]]
[[Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions]]

Latest revision as of 23:41, 17 December 2024

This article is about the Finnish video game developer. For other uses, see Rovio.

Rovio Entertainment Corporation
Rovio
Native name
Rovio Entertainment Oyj
Formerly
  • Relude Oy (2003–2005)
  • Rovio Mobile Oy (2005–2011)
  • Rovio Entertainment Oy (2011–2017)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded8 January 2003; 21 years ago (2003-01-08) in Helsinki, Finland
Founders
  • Niklas Hed
  • Jarno Väkeväinen
  • Kim Dikert
Headquarters
Espoo
,
Finland
Number of locations
8 studios[1] (2022)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Alexandre Pelletier-Normand (CEO)
  • Teemu Tertsunen (CFO)
  • Flea the Bea (CSO)
ProductsAngry Birds series
RevenueIncrease €317.7 million[1] (2022)
Decrease €28.6 million[1] (2022)
Decrease €22.9 million[1] (2022)
Number of employees
Increase 513[1] (2022)
ParentSega (2023–present)
SubsidiariesRuby Games
Websiterovio.com

Rovio Entertainment Oyj (formerly Relude Oy and Rovio Mobile Oy) is a Finnish video game developer based in Espoo. Founded in 2003 by Helsinki University of Technology students Niklas Hed, Jarno Väkeväinen and Kim Dikert, the company is best known for the Angry Birds franchise. The company currently operates studios in Barcelona, Toronto, Montreal, Espoo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. The company's success has helped to establish Finland as a leading player in the mobile game industry and has helped to create a thriving ecosystem for game development in the country.[2] In August 2023, Sega bought Rovio for US$776 million and was made a subsidiary of the Sega Europe division.[3][4]

History

[edit]

2003–2009: early years

[edit]

In 2003, three students from the Helsinki University of Technology, Niklas Hed, Jarno Väkeväinen and Kim Dikert, participated in a mobile game development competition at the Assembly demo party sponsored by Nokia and Hewlett-Packard. A victory with a mobile game called King of the Cabbage World led the trio to set up their own company, Relude. King of the Cabbage World was sold to Sumea, and renamed to Mole War, which became one of the first commercial real-time multiplayer mobile games. In January 2005, Relude received its first round of investment from a business angel, and the company changed its name to Rovio Mobile, where "rovio" translates from Finnish as "pyre".[5]

In 2009, the board gave Mikael Hed the job of CEO. In December 2009, Rovio released Angry Birds, its 52nd game, a puzzle game where a bird is flung at pigs using a slingshot for the iPhone; it reached No. 1 spot in the Apple App Store paid apps chart after six months, and remained charted for months after.[5]

2010–2014: international success

[edit]

In March 2011, Rovio raised $42 million in venture capital funding from Accel Partners, Atomico and Felicis Ventures.[6] In July 2011, the company changed its name to Rovio Entertainment.[7][8] In June 2011, the company hired David Maisel to lead their Angry Birds movie production.[9] By October 2011, Rovio purchased Kombo, a Helsinki-based animation company.[10] The animation studio was acquired to produce a series of short videos released in 2012.[11] In March 2012, Rovio acquired Futuremark Game Studios, the game development division of benchmarking company Futuremark, for an undisclosed sum.[12]

In May 2012, Rovio announced that its game series Angry Birds had reached its one billionth download. In July 2012, Rovio announced a distribution partnership with Activision to bring the first three Angry Birds titles to video game consoles and handhelds, in a collection named Angry Birds Trilogy. It was released in September 2012. In November 2012, Rovio released Angry Birds Star Wars, an iteration of its popular game licensed from the Star Wars original trilogy, for mobile devices and PC. Rovio partnered with Activision again to port the title to video game consoles and handhelds, with it being released on those platforms in October 2013. A sequel, Angry Birds Star Wars II, based on the Star Wars prequel trilogy, was released in September 2013.

In March 2013, Rovio launched its multi-platform Toons.TV channel starting with Angry Birds Toons.[13] As of 2013, Rovio became a video game publisher and is publishing third party games through its Rovio Stars program.[14] The channel was discontinued in 2017.

In January 2014, Rovio announced that its game series Angry Birds had reached its two billionth download.[15] In addition, it was revealed that their flagship series, Angry Birds, "leaked data" to third-party companies, possibly to surveillance agencies like the NSA.[16] In retaliation, anti-NSA hackers defaced Rovio's website.[17]

In May 2014, Rovio launched a new publishing arm, Rovio LVL11, to release experimental games.[18] The first game published under Rovio LVL11 is Retry[19] and the second is Selfie Slam.[20] As of June 2014, Rovio considers themselves an entertainment company, not just a game company. This is reinforced by Rovio's merchandise and licensing business accounting for about half of their annual revenue of $216 million in 2013.[21]

2014–present: decline and acquisition by Sega

[edit]

In August 2014, Rovio announced that Mikael Hed would step down as CEO in January 2015 in favour of Pekka Rantala.[22] Hed remained on Rovio's board and became the chairman of Rovio Animation. In December 2014, Rovio laid off 110 employees after net profits halved in 2013 due to its recent games, Angry Birds Epic and Go!, which have not been that successful as past games.[23] After this move, Rovio closed its Tampere studio, moving their operations to its Espoo location. At the end of 2014, Rovio suffered from a 73% decrease in profit, earning only €10 million. Pekka Rantala stated that the decrease is due to the poor sales of the licensed merchandise and the by-products of Angry Birds. He also noted that "the company are unsatisfied over the result of our licensing business".[24] In August 2015, Rovio laid off 260 employees worldwide after Angry Birds toy and merchandise revenue fell by 43% during 2014.[25] In December 2015, Rantala announced that he would step down as the CEO and would be succeeded by Kati Levoranta, former chief legal officer of Rovio, in January 2016.[26]

On 16 January 2017, Rovio opened its new game studio in London to focus on massively multiplayer online games.[27] On 15 February, Rovio announced that it will be cutting at least 35 jobs as it restructures the animation division.[28] In March, Kaiken Entertainment, founded by former Rovio CEO Mikael Hed, acquired Rovio's animation division.[29] Later that month Rovio reported that it has returned to profitability with a gross revenue of US$201 million with the success of the Angry Birds Movie and its recent video games.[30] In June, Kaj Hed resigned as chairman of Rovio and Mika Ihamuotila succeeded him as new chairman.[31] On 5 September, Rovio announced its intention to become a publicly-traded company.[32] In October, Rovio shares were sold at NASDAQ Helsinki[33] and the company was valued at $1 billion.[34]

On 2 March 2018, Rovio announced the closure of its London studio after disappointing results.[35] Later on 14 November, Rovio announced that it appointed the former Gameloft executive Alexandre Pelletier-Normand as executive vice president of its game business unit. He started his role on January 2, 2019.[36] On 30 November 2018, Rovio announced that they had fully acquired PlayRaven, the developer known for making strategy games such as Eve: War of Ascension.[37]

On 3 June 2020, Rovio acquired Darkfire Games for an undisclosed sum. The subsidiary became Rovio Copenhagen.[38] On 21 December Rovio announced that Executive Vice President of games, Alexandre Pelletier-Normand, would take over as CEO. The change went into effect on January 1, 2021.[39] In 2021, the New Mexico attorney general filed a federal lawsuit against Rovio, alleging the company illegally collected and sold private personal data of users under thirteen to third party advertisers.[40]

On 15 April 2023, IGN reported that Sega would be acquiring Rovio, with a deal close to $1 billion. Rovio had rejected an earlier acquisition bid from Israeli mobile company Playtika for $800 million.[41] Two days later Sega Sammy Holdings announced that they have made a €706 million ($776 million USD) tender offer to bid for Rovio, which closed on 17 August.[3] On December 7, Rovio closed down the Montreal based division Studio Lumi leading to the loss of 16 jobs.[42][43]

Games developed

[edit]

Pre-Angry Birds

[edit]

Prior to creating Angry Birds, Rovio developed 51 games, a combination of work-for-hire projects, publishing contracts and independently released titles.[44]

  • Bounce Boing Voyage – N-Gage (2008)
  • Bounce Evolution – Nokia N900 (2009)
  • Bounce Tales – Java ME (2008)
  • Bounce Touch – Symbian^1 (2008)
  • Burger Rush – Java ME (2008)
  • Burnout – Java ME (2007)
  • Collapse Chaos – Java ME (2008)
  • Cyber Blood – Java ME (2006)
  • Darkest Fear – Java ME (2005), iOS (2009)
  • Darkest Fear 2: Grim Oak – Java ME (2006)
  • Darkest Fear 3: Nightmare – Java ME (2006)
  • Desert Sniper – Java ME (2006)
  • Dragon & Jade – Java ME (2007)
  • Formula GP Racing – Java ME (2005)
  • Gem Drop Deluxe – Java ME (2008)
  • Marine Sniper – Java ME (2007)
  • Mole War – Java ME (2004)
  • Need for Speed: Carbon – Java ME (2006)
  • Paid to Kill – Java ME (2004)
  • Paper Planes – Java ME (2008)
  • Patron Angel – Java ME (2007)
  • Playman Winter Games – Java ME (2005)
  • Shopping Madness – Java ME (2007)
  • Space Impact: Meteor Shield – Nokia N97 (2010)
  • Star Marine – Java ME (2007)
  • Sumea Ski Jump – Java ME (2007)
  • SWAT Elite Troops – Java ME (2008)
  • Totomi – iOS, Flash, Java ME (2008)
  • US Marine Corps Scout Sniper – Java ME (2006)
  • War Diary: Burma – Java ME (2005)
  • War Diary: Crusader – Java ME (2005)
  • War Diary: Torpedo – Java ME (2005)
  • Wolf Moon – Java ME (2006)
  • X Factor 2008 – Java ME (2008)

2009–present

[edit]
Year Title Platform(s)
Android iOS PC WP
2009 Angry Birds Yes Yes Yes Yes
2010 Angry Birds Seasons Yes Yes Yes Yes
2011 Angry Birds Rio Yes Yes Yes Yes
2012 Angry Birds Space Yes Yes Yes Yes
Amazing Alex Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bad Piggies Yes Yes Yes Yes
Angry Birds Star Wars Yes Yes Yes Yes
2013 The Croods Yes Yes Yes No
Angry Birds Friends Yes Yes Yes No
Angry Birds Star Wars II Yes Yes Yes Yes
Angry Birds Go! Yes Yes No Yes
2014 Angry Birds Epic Yes Yes No Yes
Angry Birds Stella Yes Yes No Yes
Angry Birds Transformers Yes Yes No No
Selfie Slam Yes Yes No Yes
Retry Yes Yes No No
2015 Angry Birds POP! Yes Yes No No
Angry Birds 2 Yes Yes Yes No
Nibblers Yes Yes No No
Love Rocks Starring Shakira Yes Yes No No
Angry Birds Fight! Yes Yes No No
2016 Angry Birds Action! Yes Yes No No
Angry Birds Blast! Yes Yes No No
2017 Battle Bay Yes Yes No No
Angry Birds Evolution Yes Yes No No
Angry Birds Match Yes Yes No No
Angry Birds Champions No Yes No No
Angry Birds for Messenger Yes Yes No No
2019 Angry Birds Dream Blast Yes Yes No No
Angry Birds VR/AR: Isle of Pigs Yes Yes Yes No
Angry Birds POP Blast Yes Yes No No
Angry Birds Explore Yes Yes No No
The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure No No No No
Sugar Blast Yes Yes No No
2020 Small Town Murders Yes Yes No No
2021 Angry Birds Reloaded No Yes No No
Angry Birds: Bird Island Yes Yes Yes No
2022 Angry Birds Journey Yes Yes No No
Rovio Classics: Angry Birds Yes Yes No No
2023 Angry Birds Kingdom Yes No No No
Bad Piggies 2 Yes Yes No No
2024 Angry Birds Block Quest Yes No No No
Sonic Rumble[45] Yes Yes Yes No

Television series

[edit]

Feature films

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Annual report 2022" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
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  42. ^ Writer, Sophie McEvoy Staff (7 December 2023). "Rovio closes Studio Lumi". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  43. ^ Griffiths, Daniel (7 December 2023). "Rovio close Studio Lumi in Montreal with the loss of 16 jobs". pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
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  45. ^ "Rovio's involvement in Sonic Rumble". X. Rovio. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
[edit]
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