Ustwo Games, the studio behind Monument Valley, is shifting toward contractor-based work instead of maintaining a full-time staff. CEO and UK games industry board chair acknowledged the change reflects harsh economic realities facing game studios today. Workers who entered the industry in the early 2000s enjoyed stability that no longer exists, the executive stated.
The move comes after Monument Valley 3 was pulled from Netflix last year. Ustwo now prioritizes PC releases over mobile, reversing the franchise's original strategy of launching on phones first. The first two Monument Valley games eventually reached PC, but only after mobile success.
This pivot signals how streaming services and volatile funding have destabilized employment in game development. Studios that once promised careers now rely on project-based hiring. Ustwo's decision reflects a broader trend: publishers and platforms squeeze developers while workers absorb the instability.
The studio built its reputation on the Monument Valley series, which became a mobile gaming landmark. Now it chases PC audiences and abandons the platform that made it successful. That desperation speaks volumes about how precarious independent game development has become, even for established names with proven hits.