Ustwo Games pivots to contract work for Monument Valley 3

Ustwo Games, the studio behind the popular Monument Valley series, is preparing to make a significant shift in its business model. The move comes in response to recent developments around Monument Valley 3, which did not meet expectations. CEO Maria Sayans has confirmed that the company plans to hire fewer full-time employees and instead rely more heavily on contractors. The decision follows its experience with Netflix, which removed Monument Valley 3 from its platform.

The future of Monument Valley 3

Monument Valley 3 is currently in development at Ustwo Games. There was plenty of excitement around the title, especially given Monument Valley's status as a landmark in mobile gaming. Its distinctive visual style and inventive gameplay had the potential to impress players once again, but the project took a hit when Netflix decided to pull the game from its platform.

Changes to staffing policy

In an interview with Game Developer, Sayans said that employing a large number of full-time staff was a mistake. “We’ve been a bit too romantic about the idea that we should have employees and provide people with long-term job security,” she said. This reflects a broader trend in the games industry, where both large and small developers are looking to cut costs by using contract labor.

Response to the disappointing sales results

Alongside the shift in its staffing structure, Ustwo Games is also focusing on expanding to other platforms, specifically Steam. This comes after Netflix’s so-called rug pull in 2025, which prompted a reshaping of the studio’s business strategy. Sayans said that while the transition to contract work means there will still be a core team working on projects, future growth will mainly come through contractors.

Timeline

2026-04: Ustwo Games announces it will expand its focus on contract work instead of full-time hires.
2025-xx: Netflix removes Monument Valley 3 from its platform, leading to financial and strategic reconsideration at Ustwo Games.
2014: The original Monument Valley launches to widespread critical acclaim and commercial success.

With this strategy, Ustwo Games is trying to adapt to the realities of the games industry, where major changes and adjustments are increasingly necessary. The shift to contractors may offer a more flexible and cost-effective way to operate, but it also brings the challenge of attracting and retaining talent in an era where stability is crucial for the development sector.