Zynga acquires Torchlight III developer Echtra Games

Zynga has acquired Torchlight III developer Echtra Games, the company announced.

The acquisition strengthens the company’s cross-platform play future by adding developers with extensive experience in the area, as well as proprietary cross-platform development tools and technologies that have been built on top of Unreal Engine.

Echtra Games will develop a new, yet to be announced RPG for cross-platform play in partnership with Zynga’s NaturalMotion studio.

“Max and his team at Echtra Games are responsible for some of the most legendary game properties ever created, and they are experts in the action RPG genre and cross-platform development,” said Zynga CEO Frank Gibeau in a press release. “I’m excited to welcome the Echtra Games team into the Zynga family. This acquisition will be instrumental in growing our iconic licenses and brands from mobile to PCs and consoles, while helping to further expand Zynga’s total addressable market.”

Echtra Games CEO Max Schaefer added, “Echtra Games is delighted to be joining the Zynga family. We share Zynga’s vision that cross-platform play is an essential part of the future of RPGs and interactive entertainment and are eager to apply our vast experience and talents to this effort.”

Here is a brief overview of Echtra Games, via Zynga:

Echtra Games was founded in 2016 and is led by an experienced group of industry veterans. Max Schaefer and his leadership team co-founded companies such as Blizzard North, Flagship Studios, and Runic Games, and have strong development experience on titles such as Diablo, Diablo II, the Torchlight franchise, The Sims 4 and more. Echtra Games’ veteran employees have worked with companies such as Blizzard, Disney, Electronic Arts, Runic Games, Kabam, and Undead Labs. Echtra Games’ development team has published and run live services on mobile, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.