Jam City, Inc.
Formerly
  • Platform G (2010)
  • MindJolt (2010–2012)
  • Social Gaming Network (2012–2016)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded2010 (2010)
Founders
Headquarters
Culver City, California
,
US
Key people
OwnerNetmarble (minority stake)
Number of employees
825 (2021)
Subsidiaries
Websitejamcity.com

Jam City, Inc. (formerly MindJolt and Social Gaming Network) is an American video game developer and publisher based in Culver City, California. The company was founded in 2010 by Chris DeWolfe, Colin Digiaro, Aber Whitcomb, and Josh Yguado. Jam City has nine studios located in the United States, Canada, South America, and Europe.[1][2] As of 2021, it employs 825 people.[3] Netmarble is the largest shareholder in Jam City. As of 2021, Jam City's games have 31 million monthly active users and 1.3 billion total downloads.

History

Jam City was founded by the Myspace co-founders Chris DeWolfe, Colin Digiaro and Aber Whitcomb, and former 20th Century Fox executive Josh Yguado.[4][5][6] The company launched in 2010 when the co-founders raised US$28 million from Austin Ventures for their business, then called Platform G.[4][7] Platform G acquired MindJolt, a social gaming platform founded by Richard Fields, in March 2010 and took its name.[4] Fields remained with the company to lead strategy.[4] The new MindJolt acquired Social Gaming Network (or SGN) and Hallpass Media in April 2011, which added mobile games to the company's portfolio.[8][9] MindJolt renamed as SGN in March 2012.[10][11] In June 2013, SGN acquired Mob Science, a developer of social games known for Legends: Rise of a Hero.[12] The company launched the game Panda Pop in 2013, which would later become one of the highest-grossing mobile games.[13][14] The match-3 puzzle game Cookie Jam launched in 2014.[15] Cookie Jam was named Facebook's game of the year with more than 100 million downloads and 5 million active players at the time.[16][17] Cookie Jam was also among the 20 highest-grossing mobile games for Google Play and the App Store.[18]

In the wake of Cookie Jam's success, the South Korean mobile game company Netmarble invested $130 million in SGN in July 2015, becoming SGN's largest shareholder; this was one of the largest investments in mobile gaming since 2013.[19][20] By the time of Netmarble's investment, SGN games had been downloaded 500 million times.[21] Following Netmarble's investment, SGN bought the developers Fat Rascal Games and Kiwi Inc. in late 2015, followed by TinyCo in July 2016. The latter acquisition raised SGN's staff count from 125 to 400.[22][23] Mobile entertainment games that TinyCo had created include Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff and Marvel Avengers Academy.[24] SGN rebranded as Jam City in September 2016,[11] the same year Genies & Gems, a match-3 puzzle game, was launched.[25]

On April 25, 2018, Jam City released Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, a mobile game based on J. K. Rowling's Wizarding World franchise.[26] Within its first day, the game was ranked first on the App Store's free-to-play category and reached tenth place on the list of top-grossing games across categories.[27] It was the fastest of Jam City's games to reach $100 million in revenue,[28] generating $110 million in its first year.[29] By October 2019, it had been downloaded 54.6 million times.[30] The game was nominated for Best Breakthrough Game during the 2019 Google Play Awards.[31][32]

Jam City bought the intellectual property, management, and development team of Bingo Pop from Uken Games in November 2018, expanding geographically into Toronto, Canada.[33][34][35] Also in 2018, Jam City and Disney reached a multi-year deal for Jam City to develop licensed games based on stories and characters from Disney and Pixar.[36] As part of that deal, Jam City took over the game Disney Emoji Blitz.[36] Jam City's first new game under its deal with Disney was Frozen Adventures based on the Frozen and Frozen 2 films, which launched the next year.[36][37]

Jam City announced in January 2019 that it raised US$145 million in funding from JPMorgan Chase Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and others to support Jam City's acquisitions and global growth initiatives.[38][39] Jam City acquired Berlin-based studio 231 Play in April.[40] DeWolfe told GamesBeat that the acquisition of studios in Toronto and Berlin allowed Jam City to expand into more game genres, such as solitaire, mahjong, and bingo.[41] According to analytics provider Sensor Tower, solitaire, mahjong, and bingo games ranked among Jam City's top games as of February 2021.[42] By mid-2020, Jam City's valuation was estimated at greater than $2 billion.[43]

On May 20, 2021, Jam City announced it would become a public company through a merger with DPCM Capital Inc., a special-purpose acquisition company. The merger valued Jam City at $1.2 billion, including debt.[44] The merger was expected to close later in 2021.[44] Through the deal, Jam City was also acquire video game developer Ludia, the maker of games based on the Jurassic World franchise, for $165 million in September.[45][46] In August 2022, Jam City laid off 150–200 people (17% of its headcount), primarily affecting Ludia.[47]

Selected games

Most of the games Jam City produces are free-to-play and use microtransactions for players to obtain in-game items or abilities that speed up progression.[48] Jam City's stated business goals include creating high-quality games that generate revenue for years.[49] Jam City's games include both original and licensed intellectual property.[50]

In 2017, Jam City had 50 million monthly active users and it had seven games that have ranked in the 100 highest-grossing charts in the Apple App Store.[51][52] The company had 31 million monthly active users and 1.3 billion total game downloads in 2021.[3]

Year Title Genre(s) Platform(s) Notes Ref(s).
2013 Panda Pop Bubble shooter Android, iOS [53][54][55]
Bingo Pop Bingo Originally developed by Uken Games; acquired by Jam City in 2018 [53][33][34][35]
2014 Cookie Jam + Cookie Jam Blast Match-three game [53][16][56]
Book of Life: Sugar Smash Match-three game Partnership with Fox and based on the film The Book of Life. This was Jam City's first collaboration with a major Hollywood studio to release a game simultaneously with a film [57][58]
Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff City-building game Licensed game based on the Family Guy animated sitcom; originally developed by TinyCo [59]
2016 Disney Emoji Blitz Match-three game Originally developed by Disney Games; license acquired by Jam City in 2018 [53][36][60]
Genies & Gems Match-three game [53][25][61]
2017 Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow City building, adventure Licensed game based on the Futurama series [62]
Snoopy Pop Bubble shooter Licensed game based on the Peanuts comic strip [63]
Family Guy: Another Freakin' Mobile Game Puzzle, adventure Licensed game based on Family Guy [64]
2018 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery Role-playing Licensed game based on Harry Potter franchise [53][65]
2019 Frozen Adventures Match-three, decorating Licensed game based on the Frozen franchise [66]
Vineyard Valley Puzzle, simulation [53][67]
2020 World War Doh Strategy, action [56]

Products and collaborations

Jam City released a monetization tool, AdJolt, in November 2010. It was made available to third-party developers, who would share revenue generated through AdJolt with MindJolt.[68] In December 2012, Jam City launched MasterKey, which enabled the company to develop cross-platform games without creating separate versions for each platform.[69] MasterKey was described as being technology that "essentially works like a translator or convertor".[9]

In December 2014, SGN and Chinese internet technology company NetEase announced a partnership that enabled Cookie Jam to be distributed in China beginning in early 2015.[70][71]

References

  1. ↑ Shanley, Patrick (February 13, 2020). "Former Myspace Mogul Chris DeWolfe Reflects on Mobile Gaming's Future". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ Chapple, Craig (April 5, 2019). "Jam City acquires Berlin studio 231 Play". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Takahashi, Dean (May 20, 2021). "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery publisher Jam City will launch SPAC at $1.2B value, buy Ludia for $175M". GamesBeat. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Arrington, Michael (March 3, 2010). "Chris DeWolfe Makes His Move – Raises Big Round, Acquires Gaming Platform MindJolt". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  5. ↑ Graham, Jefferson (March 22, 2017). "Jam City seeks another hit with more Family Guy, plans for IPO". USA Today. Tysons Corner, VA. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  6. ↑ Chaykowski, Kathleen (June 12, 2017). "Former MySpace CEO Makes A Comeback As A Mobile Gaming Hitmaker". Forbes. New York, NY. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ Spangler, Todd (July 23, 2015). "Mobile-Game Studio SGN Lands $130 Million from Korea's Netmarble". Variety. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ Rusli, Evelyn M. (April 18, 2011). "A Myspace Founder Builds Again, Buying Game Companies". New York Times Dealbook. Archived from the original on March 19, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Kozlowski, Lori (June 12, 2013). "The Science of Social Games". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  10. ↑ Ha, Anthony (March 2, 2012). "MySpace Co-Founder Chris DeWolfe Explains SGN's New Name, Multi-Platform Plans". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  11. 1 2 Spangler, Todd (September 22, 2016). "SGN Changes Name to Jam City, Acquires Rights to Make 'Peanuts' Mobile Game". Variety. Variety Media, LLC. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  12. ↑ M, Will (June 17, 2013). "Social Gaming Network's Acquisition Of Mob Science Continues Trend Away From Facebook-Only Social Games". AdWeek: Social Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  13. ↑ Cowley, Ric (August 25, 2017). "Jam City's Panda Pop clears 100 million downloads in under four years". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  14. ↑ Shieber, Jonathan (August 24, 2017). "Panda Pop passes 100 million users as Jam City readies for an IPO". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  15. ↑ Saltzman, Marc (March 24, 2014). "'Cookie Jam': A tasty puzzle game with new twists". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  16. 1 2 Takahashi, Dean (May 24, 2017). "Jam City's Cookie Jam hits 100 million downloads as Cookie Jam Blast debuts". VentureBeat. San Francisco, CA. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  17. ↑ Dave, Paresh (December 16, 2014). "Mobile game 'Cookie Jam' latest hit being exported to China". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  18. ↑ Zipkin, Nina (July 23, 2015). "Maker of 'Cookie Jam' Lands $130 Million Investment From Korea's Top Gaming Giant". Entrepreneur. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  19. ↑ Zimmerman, Eilene (July 23, 2015). "Netmarble Takes Stake in SGN, Extending Asia's Reach Into U.S. Mobile Games". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  20. ↑ Ungerleider, Neal (July 23, 2015). "Why This Mobile Game Company Raised $130 Million". Fast Company. Mansueto Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  21. ↑ Spangler, Todd (July 23, 2015). "Mobile-Game Studio SGN Lands $130 Million from Korea's Netmarble". Variety. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  22. ↑ Ellingson, Annlee (July 6, 2016). "SGN buys startup behind Marvel, 'Family Guy' mobile games". Biz Journals. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  23. ↑ Spangler, Todd (July 6, 2016). "SGN Buys TinyCo, Maker of 'Marvel Avengers Academy' Mobile Game". Variety. Variety Media, LLC. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  24. ↑ Peterson, Steve (July 7, 2016). "SGN Talks About Acquiring TinyCo, Future Of Mobile Games Industry". A List Daily. Ayzenberg. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  25. 1 2 "How Jam City CEO Chris DeWolfe sees the freakin' mobile game world". VentureBeat. April 25, 2017. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  26. ↑ Chan, Stephanie (April 26, 2018). "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery tops Apple App Store charts a day after launch". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  27. ↑ Chan, Stephanie (April 26, 2018). "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery tops Apple App Store charts a day after launch". GamesBeat. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  28. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (January 16, 2019). "Harry Potter mobile game maker Jam City raises $145 million". GamesBeat. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  29. ↑ Taylor, Haydn (March 14, 2019). "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery grosses $110m in first year". Gamesindustry.biz. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  30. ↑ Dealessandri, Marie (October 10, 2019). "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery reaches $150m in revenue". Gamesindustry.biz. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  31. ↑ "2019 Google Play Awards nominees announced ahead of Google I/O". Android Authority. April 26, 2019. Archived from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  32. ↑ Kerr, Chris. "Marvel Strike Force and Shadowgun Legends honored at 2019 Google Play Awards". gamasutra.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  33. 1 2 Takahashi, Dean (November 28, 2018). "Jam City acquires Bingo Pop maker from Uken". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  34. 1 2 Shieber, Jonathan (November 28, 2018). "Jam City is setting up a Toronto shop by buying Bingo Pop from Uken Games". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on December 27, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  35. 1 2 Amore, Samson (November 28, 2018). "Jam City Acquires Bingo Pop Mobile Game". Los Angeles Business Journal. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  36. 1 2 3 4 Taylor, Haydn (November 14, 2018). "Jam City secures multi-year deal with Disney". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  37. ↑ Beresford, Trilby (August 23, 2019). "Jam City, Disney Unveil First Look at 'Frozen Adventures' Mobile Game". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  38. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (January 16, 2019). "Harry Potter mobile game maker Jam City raises $145 million". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  39. ↑ Shieber, Jonathan (January 16, 2019). "Consolidation is coming to gaming, and Jam City raises $145 million to capitalize on it". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
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  44. 1 2 Jackson, Sierra (May 20, 2021). "Fenwick, Greenberg Traurig add Jam City's $1.2 bln SPAC deal to mix". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
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  47. ↑ Partis, Danielle (August 5, 2022). "Jam City lays off 17% of workforce". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
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  66. ↑ Forde, Matthew (December 3, 2019). "Why Jam City believes Frozen Adventures isn't just another tie-in". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  67. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (August 6, 2019). "Jam City launches new mobile puzzle game Vineyard Valley". GamesBeat. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  68. ↑ Arrington, Michael (November 17, 2010). "MindJolt Focuses On Monetization, Prepares To Invade iPad/iPhone". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  69. ↑ Ha, Anthony (December 18, 2012). "SGN Makes Its Big Push For Cross-Platform, Mobile-Social Games With The Launch Of Its MasterKey Technology". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
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