FunPlus reveals its new studio in Barcelona is focusing on creating hybrid-casual games led by Felipe Mata. The new studio is quite a departure for the developer currently best known for hardcore strategy games like State of Survival and King of Avalon. The new base in Catalonia reflects FunPlus’ overall diversification plans. Puzzle-RPG Call of Antia is the closest FunPlus has come to casual games to date, alongside makeover game Design Island.
Felipe Mata previously spent over seven years at King, where he worked on games like Bubble Witch, Papa Bear, and Diamond Digger Saga before helping create new King games that didn’t get to market. In 2020 he moved to Zeptolab as head of new games, most recently launching Downhill Smash and Overcrowded. He moved to FunPlus in November 2021.