Zynga & Rollic Acquire High Heels Game Studio

Zynga’s Rollic Expands with Uncosoft Acquisition

Last year marked the acquisition of hyper-casual game developer Rollic by Zynga. Currently operating as a Zynga subsidiary, Rollic has now announced the acquisition of another game studio, Uncosoft.

Similarities Between Rollic and Uncosoft

Both Rollic and Uncosoft specialize in the development of hyper-casual games. Notably, both companies are based in Turkey; Rollic in Istanbul and Uncosoft in Izmir.

Collaboration and Success of High Heels

Rollic has already successfully published several Uncosoft games, with High Heels being the most prominent example. The game, which involves navigating an obstacle course while wearing increasingly elaborate high heels, has garnered over 60 million downloads since its January launch.

Furthermore, High Heels has received recognition for its positive representation, being lauded for bringing “queer joy” to the forefront of the App Store charts.

Rollic’s Acquisition Strategy

Burak Vardal, co-founder and CEO of Rollic, explained that their focus in the hyper-casual gaming sector is consistently on identifying “product-oriented teams.” He expressed confidence in the Uncosoft team’s ability to create successful new games, comparable to High Heels.

Vardal highlighted that working together as both a development studio and publisher fosters a collaborative environment. This leads to frequent discussions on game design, shared strategies, and a natural understanding of each company’s operational methods and team dynamics.

Uncosoft’s Perspective on the Acquisition

Edip Enes Çakır, CEO of Uncosoft, stated that the collaboration between the two teams over the past few years has been characterized by “unprecedented harmony.” He believes that their shared vision for creating globally appealing games will be strengthened by the expertise of Rollic and Zynga.

Turkey as a Gaming Hub

This acquisition represents Zynga’s fourth in Istanbul, demonstrating the growing importance of the city and Turkey as a center for game development. While Rollic maintains partnerships beyond Turkey, Vardal suggests the country’s large student population contributes to its success in the hyper-casual gaming market.

The Role of TikTok in Game Success

Vardal also pointed to the success of High Heels as a potential model for other hyper-casual games. He emphasized the game’s “TikTok-able” animations and character mechanics.

The game resonated strongly with Gen Z and achieved significant organic reach on TikTok, indicating that the current generation actively seeks content that thrives within that ecosystem.