CrowdStar explained

Crowdstar
Type:Video Game Developer
Area Served:Worldwide
Language:Multilingual (70)
Current Status:Inactive

CrowdStar is a former developer of Facebook and mobile games, based in Burlingame, California, United States and Dublin, Ireland. The company developed several titles for the Facebook platform, with some of its most popular titles being Happy Aquarium, Happy Pets, Wasteland Empires and It Girl, and a number of titles on mobile for the iOS, Android and Windows Markets, including Design Home, Fish With Attitude, Phuzzle, Top Girl, and Covet Fashion. It was acquired by Glu Mobile in 2016.

Founding and History

Founded by Suren Markosian and Jeff Tseng,[1] it has ranked 4th among developers with the most monthly active users for Facebook applications, with 31 million daily active users.[2] The company turned down an offer from Microsoft to acquire the company for more than US$200 million.[3] Its current CEO is Jeffrey Tseng, who was appointed to the position in October 2012.[4] He succeeded Peter Relan, who became CEO in January 2011 from Niren Hiro.[5]

The company currently develop new titles for the iOS, Android, and Windows 8 tablet and smartphone market. They maintain and release new content in existing games on their Facebook platform.

Shift to Mobile

In February 2012, the company announced its desire to focus upon the mobile market,[6] and thus would not be creating any new titles for the Facebook platform, laying off two dozen developers,[7] yet still maintain existing titles to this day. With the new funding, the company decided to "pursue mobile games targeting the female audience and focusing on shopping and fashion." The games will be distributed using Facebook’s social graph, the Gree social gaming network[8] and Apple’s Game Center and Google Play. Since its focus on the mobile market, it has produced several new titles, such as "Top Stylist", "Phuzzle", "Fish With Attitude" and "Mermaid World.

Acquisition

In 2016, Glu Mobile acquired CrowdStar, effectively killing the company.[9]

Funding

In May 2011, the company raised an additional $23 million.[10] In May 2012, the company raised a further $11.5M in Venture Round funding.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://venturebeat.com/2010/03/05/crowdstar-launches-rapid-expansion-to-gain-ground-in-facebook-games/ "Crowdstar launches rapid expansion to gain ground in Facebook games"
  2. http://www.appdata.com/devs/30679 "Developer Leaderboard"
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20100406004646/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-31/crowdstar-said-to-break-off-talks-to-be-bought-by-microsoft.html "CrowdStar Said to Break Off Talks to Be Bought by Microsoft"
  4. Web site: Mobile Game Developer Crowdstar Chooses A CEO From One Of Its Own. Tech Crunch. 19 December 2012. October 3, 2012. October 5, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121005233147/http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/03/crowdstar-jeff-tseng-ceo. live.
  5. Web site: Duryee. Tricia. CrowdStar CEO Steps Down; Peter Relan Appointed CEO. All Things D. 2011-01-17. March 6, 2011. October 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181019152044/http://emoney.allthingsd.com/20110117/crowdstar-ceo-steps-down-peter-relan-appointed-to-ceo/?mod=ATD_search. live.
  6. Web site: Duryee. Tricia. CrowdStar Lands $11.5 Million to Support Its Shift From Social to Mobile Gaming. All Things D. 19 December 2012. May 2, 2012. December 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121215214044/http://allthingsd.com/20120502/crowdstar-lands-11-5-million-to-support-its-shift-from-social-to-mobile-gaming/. live.
  7. Web site: Takahashi. Dean. CrowdStar raises $11.5M for mobile games but will lay off Facebook developers. Venture Beat. 19 December 2012. May 2, 2012. July 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220701191019/https://venturebeat.com/2012/05/02/crowdstar-raises-11-5m-for-mobile-games-but-will-lay-off-facebook-developers/. live.
  8. Web site: Takahashi. Dean. Crowdstar teams up with Gree for social mobile games. Venture Beat. April 30, 2012. May 16, 2024. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220703025837/https://venturebeat.com/2012/04/30/crowdstar-teams-up-with-gree-for-social-mobile-games/. live.
  9. Web site: Glu Mobile Acquires Controlling Interest in Crowdstar . November 3, 2016 . May 16, 2024 . January 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123030231/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161103006727/en/Glu-Mobile-Acquires-Controlling-Interest-in-Crowdstar . live .
  10. News: Hoge. Patrick. CrowdStar raises $23 million. 19 December 2012. San Francisco Business Times. May 23, 2011. July 11, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110711093345/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2011/05/23/crowdstar-raises-23-million.html. live.
  11. Web site: Curtis. Tom. CrowdStar secures $11.5M in funding following major shift to mobile. Gamasutra. 19 December 2012. May 2, 2012. November 9, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121109175248/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/169665/CrowdStar_secures_115M_in_funding_following_major_shift_to_mobile.php. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "CrowdStar".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.