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| Artwork from Monument Valley, the puzzle series that defined Ustwo’s early success. |
By Jon Scarr
Ustwo, the studio best known for the Monument Valley series, says it is shifting to a PC-first development strategy following the removal of Monument Valley 3 from Netflix just six months after launch.
In an interview with Mobile Gamer, Ustwo CEO Maria Sayans explained that the studio is moving away from being perceived as mobile-first, citing creative limitations and platform risks tied to subscription-based ecosystems.
Monument Valley 3’s short run on Netflix
Monument Valley became a defining mobile hit when it launched in 2014, later expanding to PC and other platforms alongside its sequels. Monument Valley 3 followed a different path, launching exclusively on Netflix in December 2024 after several years of development.
Despite a strong marketing push, Sayans said Netflix informed the studio six months later that the game would be removed from the service. She noted that multiple titles were taken down around the same time, suggesting the decision was tied to Netflix’s evolving content priorities rather than the performance of any single game.
Why Ustwo is moving away from mobile-first development
According to Sayans, the experience highlighted a broader issue with being seen primarily as a mobile developer. She said there is a ceiling to how much a studio can do on PC and console when its identity is rooted in mobile, often leading to compromises in both design and how games are brought to market.
Rather than developing for platforms like Netflix or Apple Arcade first and porting later, Ustwo now plans to approach new projects as multiplatform from the start, with PC positioned as the foundation.
Building direct relationships on PC
Sayans described PC as the platform where Ustwo can form more direct connections with its audience and community. That shift reflects a desire for greater stability and visibility compared to subscription services, where titles can disappear with little notice.
The move doesn’t mean Ustwo is abandoning other platforms entirely, but it does signal a change in priorities, with PC launches expected to come first going forward.
More than just Monument Valley
While Monument Valley is still the game most people associate with Ustwo, the studio’s catalogue goes well beyond Monument Valley. Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, Assemble With Care, and Desta: The Memories Between are the kind of slower, thoughtful games you sit down with for a while, not something you blast through in short bursts.
That also helps explain why a PC-first shift feels like a natural fit. These are games you’re more likely to play in longer stretches, take your time with, and come back to later. They also don’t really fit the way most mobile games are played, where you jump in for a few minutes and move on.
Looking ahead, treating PC as the starting point suggests future releases could land on more platforms at the same time, instead of appearing or disappearing behind exclusivity deals. For players, that means a better chance to actually find these games, play them on their own terms, and stick with them without worrying about when they might vanish.
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