Who Owns Brawlhalla? A Deep Dive into Blue Mammoth Games and Ubisoft
The quick and direct answer: Brawlhalla is owned by Ubisoft. Blue Mammoth Games, the original developers of Brawlhalla, were acquired by Ubisoft on March 1, 2018. While Blue Mammoth Games continues to operate as a studio within Ubisoft, the ultimate ownership rests with the French video game giant.
The Story Behind the Acquisition
Blue Mammoth Games, founded by a group of friends with a passion for creating fun games, initially operated as an indie studio. Their breakout title, Brawlhalla, a free-to-play fighting game, quickly gained popularity for its accessible gameplay and vibrant character roster. This success caught the attention of Ubisoft, leading to their acquisition of the studio. This acquisition brought Blue Mammoth Games under the Ubisoft umbrella, providing them with greater resources and stability while allowing Ubisoft to expand its portfolio with a popular and engaging title. The relationship between the studio and its parent company seems to be working well, considering Blue Mammoth Games still focuses on creating content for Brawlhalla.
The Benefits of Ubisoft’s Ownership
Ubisoft’s ownership has provided Brawlhalla with several benefits, including:
- Increased resources: Blue Mammoth Games now has access to Ubisoft’s extensive resources, including marketing, distribution, and development support.
- Expanded reach: Ubisoft’s global reach has helped Brawlhalla reach a wider audience, leading to increased player base and revenue.
- Stability and security: Being part of a large, established company like Ubisoft provides Blue Mammoth Games with greater financial stability and security.
- Collaboration opportunities: Ubisoft’s diverse portfolio of games offers opportunities for collaborations and crossovers, as seen with the inclusion of Ezio Auditore from the Assassin’s Creed series as a playable Legend in Brawlhalla.
While some fans initially worried about the potential impact of the acquisition on Brawlhalla’s development, Blue Mammoth Games has largely maintained its creative control and continues to update and expand the game with new characters, features, and events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Brawlhalla and Its Ownership
These FAQs address some of the most common questions surrounding Brawlhalla, Blue Mammoth Games, and their relationship with Ubisoft.
1. Is Brawlhalla still free-to-play under Ubisoft?
Yes, Brawlhalla remains free-to-play under Ubisoft’s ownership. The game generates revenue through in-app purchases, such as cosmetic items and Legend packs.
2. Has Ubisoft changed Brawlhalla significantly since acquiring it?
While Ubisoft’s acquisition has brought additional resources and support, Brawlhalla’s core gameplay and development philosophy remain largely unchanged. Blue Mammoth Games continues to lead the game’s development, focusing on maintaining its accessibility and appeal to players.
3. Does Ubisoft own other games developed by Blue Mammoth Games?
Prior to Brawlhalla, Blue Mammoth Games developed Dungeon Blitz, a free-to-play side-scrolling brawler. Ubisoft acquired the rights to that title, among anything else that was owned by Blue Mammoth Games, when they acquired the studio in 2018.
4. Is a Ubisoft account required to play Brawlhalla?
While a Ubisoft account is not required to play Brawlhalla, it is necessary for certain features, such as account linking. Account linking allows you to connect your Brawlhalla account to your Ubisoft account, potentially unlocking exclusive rewards and benefits.
5. Is Blue Mammoth Games still located in Atlanta?
Yes, Blue Mammoth Games continues to operate from its studio in Atlanta, Georgia. The acquisition by Ubisoft did not result in the studio’s relocation.
6. What is the relationship between Blue Mammoth Games and Ubisoft?
Blue Mammoth Games operates as a studio within Ubisoft. They maintain creative control over Brawlhalla’s development while benefiting from Ubisoft’s resources and support.
7. Will there be more Ubisoft crossover characters in Brawlhalla?
The addition of Ezio Auditore as a playable Legend suggests that more Ubisoft crossover characters are possible in the future. However, no specific plans have been officially announced. Crossovers with other franchises have been popular additions to the game, making it likely that more are to come.
8. What other types of crossovers have happened in Brawlhalla?
Brawlhalla has featured crossovers with various popular franchises, including The Walking Dead, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Street Fighter, Hellboy, Tomb Raider, Kung Fu Panda, Ben 10, and many others. They even featured John Cena as a character.
9. Is Ubisoft planning on acquiring other indie game developers?
Ubisoft is constantly evaluating potential opportunities for growth and expansion. Whether they will acquire other indie game developers remains to be seen.
10. What is Ubisoft’s most successful game franchise?
Assassin’s Creed is Ubisoft’s most well-known and commercially successful franchise. Other popular Ubisoft franchises include Far Cry, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s, and Watch Dogs.
11. How does Ubisoft ensure the quality of its games?
Ubisoft employs various quality assurance measures, including internal testing, external feedback, and post-launch support, to ensure the quality of its games. In fact, as mentioned in the Games Learning Society, game-based learning is a common methodology within Ubisoft. Check the GamesLearningSociety.org website for additional information.
12. Is Ubisoft owned by Tencent?
While Tencent has a significant investment in Guillemot Brothers Limited, the company that holds a large stake in Ubisoft, Ubisoft is not directly owned by Tencent. The Guillemot family retains a significant portion of the ownership and voting rights.
13. What kind of games does Ubisoft usually develop?
Ubisoft develops a wide range of games across various genres, including action-adventure, role-playing, racing, and sports games. They are known for their open-world experiences and strong emphasis on storytelling.
14. Where is Ubisoft headquarters?
Ubisoft’s headquarters are located in Saint-Mandé, France, just outside of Paris.
15. What does the future hold for Brawlhalla under Ubisoft?
The future of Brawlhalla under Ubisoft appears bright. With continued support from Blue Mammoth Games and the resources of Ubisoft, the game is poised for continued growth and expansion. Players can expect new Legends, features, and events to keep the game fresh and engaging for years to come.