Ubisoft Acquires 2048 Developer Ketchapp

Well, it's not every day that a big publisher purchases an indie developer. It's certainly not every day that a big publisher purchases an indie mobile developer who is renown for ripping off a successful game.

Yes, Ubisoft has grown to become the fourth-largest mobile game publisher in terms of downloads, thanks to its acquisition of Ketchapp. Ketchapp is best known as the creator behind 2048, which is essentially a free-to-play copycat of Threes, but it's also known for ZigZag, Stack, Stick Hoer, Twist, and Jelly Jump.

"With Ketchapp, Ubisoft acquires a highly profitable publisher with a successful portfolio of free-to-play games for mobile," declared Jean-Michel Detoc, executive director of Ubisoft's mobile business. "This acquisition gives Ubisoft one of the world's leading mobile game publishers and reinforces our advertising capabilities in mobile gaming."

It's great that Ubisoft is expanding in terms of mobile game publishing, but not sure how to feel when it's picking up a developer known for being a copycat. Ah well. Business is business, correct?

According to Antoine and Michel Morcos, managing directors and co-founders of Ketchapp:

"We are thrilled to become part of Ubisoft's international network of talented teams. We founded Ketchapp with the intention of creating captivating gaming experiences, and we are looking forward to leveraging Ubisoft's creativity and resources to enrich our existing and upcoming titles."