Big news out of Giebelstadt, Germany today - long-running mobile publisher HandyGames has officially become THQ Nordic Mobile, folding the veteran outfit into the THQ Nordic brand to focus squarely on bringing premium, critically acclaimed PC and console games to phones and tablets worldwide.
The rebrand, announced on August 7, 2026, is a strategic realignment that sees the publisher operate under the THQ Nordic banner while zeroing in on high-end mobile adaptations of established franchises.
What is actually changing?
According to the announcement, the move streamlines publishing operations and positions the group to speed up development of high-end adaptations of established gaming franchises for iOS, Android, and next-generation mobile platforms. In short, THQ Nordic Mobile becomes the dedicated pipeline for getting major IPs from the wider THQ Nordic portfolio onto mobile.
It is not starting from scratch, either. The label builds on previous premium mobile adaptations including Wreckfest, SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated, and Titan Quest.
What happens to the HandyGames name?
The HandyGames name is not disappearing entirely. The company's internal development team in Giebelstadt will continue operating - along with its 26-year heritage - under the name HandyGames Studios, focusing on original game development and supporting THQ Nordic Mobile's technical porting pipelines.
Leadership stays the same, too. Co-founders Christopher Kassulke and Markus Kassulke will continue to lead both the publishing label and the development studio.
Will this affect players and partners?
The company says the reorganization should be seamless. Current development pipelines, ongoing support for existing titles, and active licensing agreements will all remain fully operational and transition smoothly under the new branding structures.
For the record, THQ Nordic Mobile is part of the Embracer Group, following THQ Nordic's acquisition of HandyGames. The publisher points to more than a quarter-century of experience and a trophy cabinet that includes an Apple Design Award and a BAFTA. Its focus is top-tier mobile games for iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play), plus VR titles like Townsmen VR, alongside PC releases (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG) and console games (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch).
Quote From GamePress Giebelstadt, Germany, August 7, 2026: HandyGames today announced its official transition to THQ Nordic Mobile. Under this strategic realignment, the veteran publisher will operate under the THQ Nordic brand, focusing exclusively on bringing premium, critically acclaimed PC and console titles to mobile audiences worldwide.
The move streamlines publishing operations and positions the group to accelerate the development of high-end adaptations of established gaming franchises for iOS, Android, and next-generation mobile platforms.
Building on previous success with premium mobile adaptations such as Wreckfest, SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated, and Titan Quest, THQ Nordic Mobile will serve as the dedicated publishing pipeline for bringing major IPs from the broader THQ Nordic portfolio to mobile players.
Concurrently, the company's internal development team in Giebelstadt will continue its operations and 26-year heritage under the name HandyGames Studios, focusing on original game development and supporting THQ Nordic Mobile's technical porting pipelines. Co-founders Christopher Kassulke and Markus Kassulke will continue to lead both the publishing label and the development studio.
The structural reorganization will be seamless for existing partners, external developers, and players. Current development pipelines, ongoing support for existing titles, and active licensing agreements will remain fully operational and will transition smoothly under the respective new branding structures.
So, are you keen to see more THQ Nordic franchises make the jump to mobile? Let us know in the comments which console game you would love to play on the go.
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