ngmoco announced today that they've acquired fellow iPhone developer Stumptown Game Machine, which developed Touch Pets Dogs exclusively for iPhone and iPod touch in collaboration with ngmoco in November 2009. The game immediately topped the free app charts on the Apple App Store upon release and has been downloaded more than five million times.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but Stumptown Game Machine will retain its own name, brand and base of operations in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, now ngmoco's team gains two leaders in the field of artificial intelligence, Andrew Stern and Richard Evans. Stern is the pioneer behind the Petz franchise, which has sold more than three million units worldwide. He'll continue to lead he Stumptown team and will "oversee the studio’s future projects at ngmoco, building on his experience with artificial intelligence (AI) and procedural animation."
Having worked on simulation games like The Sims 3 and Black and White, Evans is also an award-winning AI specialist. He now joins the Stumptown team to lend his expertise in AI design.
“We are delighted to welcome the Stumptown Game Machine team, led by Andrew Stern, to the ngmoco family,” said Neil Young, CEO, ngmoco. “With a proven track record of games that are equal parts charming, fun and accessible, we’re proud to have such terrific AI designers and innovative thinkers expand our growing line-up of games."
“ngmoco has been an incredibly supportive and creative partner from the beginning of Touch Pets Dogs,” said Andrew Stern. “Formally joining the team strengthens our collaboration and creates the opportunity to make exciting new games.”
ngmoco said Stumptown is currently working on a soon-to-be-announced follow-up to Touch Pet Dogs.
Earlier this year, ngmoco raised $25 million and acquired iPhone studio Freeverse.
