Report: Zynga Picks Up Mobile Developer Astro Ape Studios

Internet reports suggest that major social game developer Zynga has made yet another acquisition in the form of Office Heroes developer Astro Ape Studios. InsideMobileApps notes that many Astro Ape employees, including the CEO, CCO and CTO, have all updated their LinkedIn pages to reflect positions at Zynga's New York offices. A Zynga representative declined to comment to Gamasutra. Edison, New Jersey-based Astro Ape's iPhone and Android releases include gambling simulation Vegas: Strip City, restaurant management title Dessert Heroes and office decorating game Office Heroes, the latter two of which briefly topped iOS' charts for Adventure and Simulation games upon their release. The company received an investment by Japanese mobile gaming giant DeNA last September. Zynga has been making moves to expand into the growing mobile games space of late, with the largest perhaps being the $53.3 million purchase of Words With Friends maker Newtoy last December. May's acquisition of Casino City maker DNA Games was Zynga's 14th purchase in a 12-month period.