Torchlight developer working on a new RPG after the acquisition of Zynga

Zynga has acquired Torchlight developer Echtra Games, with the studio now working on an unannounced cross-platform RPG. Zynga – the social gaming giant behind FarmVille and Words with Friends – says he acquired Echtra to strengthen his cross-platform development capabilities. In a press release, it was also revealed that Echtra is currently working on an unannounced cross-platform RPG. It is unclear whether the new game will be a sequel to Torchlight or a new game for the studio.

“The Echtra Games team strengthens the future of Zynga’s multiplatform gaming, adding talented developers with extensive multiplatform gaming experience, as well as proprietary multiplatform development tools and technologies that were built on top of the Unreal Engine,” says the release.

This game will be made in partnership with another Zynga studio, NaturalMotion, whose Euphoria animation middleware can be seen in games like Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto V. NaturalMotion is also partnering with Zynga’s newest studio in Austin to create one squad, Star Wars online multiplayer game, Star Wars: Hunters.

Have you ever played Torchlight III?

YEANO

Zynga CEO Frank Gibeau said: “Max [Schaefer] and his team at Echtra Games are responsible for some of the most legendary game properties ever created, and are experts in the action RPG genre and cross-platform development. I’m excited to welcome the Echtra Games team to the Zynga family. This acquisition will be instrumental in the growth of our iconic PC and console furniture licenses and brands, while helping to further expand Zynga’s total addressable market. “

Here is a 2020 interview with Max Schaefer and Matt Uelmen of Echtra Games, who previously worked on Diablo II before developing the Torchlight series. We reviewed Torchlight 3 in the initial access, marking it with 6 and calling it a “decent action RPG”.

Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.