GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Angry Birds Gaming Chief Leaves Rovio

Jami Laes exists the Finnish game studio to launch a new start-up.

10 Comments
No Caption Provided

The gaming chief at Angry Birds developer Rovio has left the company. Jami Laes quit the Finnish studio to launch a new start-up, according to a new report from Reuters.

A spokesperson for Rovio told GamesIndustry.biz: "Jami had some personal projects he's decided to focus on and we wish him the best of luck with his endeavors." 20-year gaming veteran David Byrne has stepped in to fill the role. He joined Rovio in September 2013.

With over 1 billion downloads to date, Angry Birds is one of the most well-known mobile games ever. Rovio has also expanded the series to an animated TV and various consumer merchandising campaigns. A star-studded Angry Birds movie is also in the works.

Despite this expansion, the company hasn't released any other games on the scale of Angry Birds, and recently announced a round of layoffs that will affect 14 percent of its total workforce. Rovio's longtime top executive, Mikael Hed, also recently stepped down amid falling profits.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 10 comments about this story
10 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for deathstream
deathstream

1482

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

So he wanted to make games instead of riding Birds train until it derails. Good for him.


Angry Birds was a great game in the days before Android ruined mobile gaming.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Thanatos2k
Thanatos2k

17660

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Angry Birds is still a thing? Do they actually create games there, or are they just another Zynga?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for currere
currere

80

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Clicked on this one solely because of the typo, to see if there was any comments about it. Off course there are, not only that, ALL the comments are about it. I think I'm not the only one that clicked in for that. It's like he's doing it on purpose as click-bait...

But Eddie wouldn't do that right...?

Surely he wouldn't...

Right...?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Space_Paranoids
Space_Paranoids

66

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

You had one job Eddie...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for PinchySkree
PinchySkree

1342

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 0

"Jami Laes exists" I'm sure he does.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Warlord_Irochi
Warlord_Irochi

4291

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 7

"Programo, ergo sum"

Upvote • 
Avatar image for themagicbum9720
themagicbum9720

6536

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

these editors rofl

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Stebsis
Stebsis

702

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Jami Laes sure does exist

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 3cupsofflower
3CupsofFlower

1227

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 5

Ah yeah, they're having a little competition for women only to get a position in the IT department for the coming summer to promote gender equality. I'd leave too if they were that ridiculous!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for CapnXtraObvious
CapnXtraObvious

506

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

"Jami Laes EXISTS the Finnish game studio..."


Love it.

Upvote •