Jam City (company) explained
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 from Austin Ventures for their business, then called Platform G.[7] Platform G acquired MindJolt, a social gaming platform founded by Richard Fields, in March 2010 and took its name. Fields remained with the company to lead strategy. 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] MindJolt renamed as SGN in March 2012.[9] [10] In June 2013, SGN acquired Mob Science, a developer of social games known for Legends: Rise of a Hero.[11] The company launched the game Panda Pop in 2013, which would later become one of the highest-grossing mobile games.[12] [13] The match-3 puzzle game Cookie Jam launched in 2014.[14] Cookie Jam was named Facebook's game of the year with more than 100 million downloads and 5 million active players at the time.[15] [16] Cookie Jam was also among the 20 highest-grossing mobile games for Google Play and the App Store.[17]
In the wake of Cookie Jams success, the South Korean mobile game company Netmarble invested in SGN in July 2015, becoming SGN's largest shareholder; this was one of the largest investments in mobile gaming since 2013.[18] [19] By the time of Netmarble's investment, SGN games had been downloaded 500 million times.[20] 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.[21] [22] Mobile entertainment games that TinyCo had created include Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff and Marvel Avengers Academy.[23] SGN rebranded as Jam City in September 2016, the same year Genies & Gems, a match-3 puzzle game, was launched.[24]
On April 25, 2018, Jam City released , a mobile game based on J. K. Rowling's Wizarding World franchise.[25] 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.[26] It was the fastest of Jam City's games to reach $100 million in revenue,[27] generating in its first year.[28] By October 2019, it had been downloaded 54.6 million times.[29] The game was nominated for Best Breakthrough Game during the 2019 Google Play Awards.[30] [31]
Jam City bought the intellectual property, management, and development team of Bingo Pop from Uken Games in November 2018, expanding geographically into Toronto, Canada.[32] [33] [34] 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. As part of that deal, Jam City took over the game Disney Emoji Blitz. 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.[35]
Jam City announced in January 2019 that it raised in funding from JPMorgan Chase Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and others to support Jam City's acquisitions and global growth initiatives.[36] [37] Jam City acquired Berlin-based studio 231 Play in April.[38] 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.[39] According to analytics provider Sensor Tower, solitaire, mahjong, and bingo games ranked among Jam City's top games as of February 2021.[40] By mid-2020, Jam City's valuation was estimated at greater than .[41]
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, including debt.[42] The merger was expected to close later in 2021. Through the deal, Jam City was also able to acquire video game developer Ludia, which made games based on the Jurassic World franchise, for in September.[43] [44] In August 2022, Jam City laid off 150–200 people (17% of its headcount), primarily affecting Ludia.[45] DeWolfe and Whitcomb resigned from the company in January 2023 to establish Plai Labs. In their place, Jam City moved Yguado into the CEO role and apoointed Netmarble's chairman, SeungWon Lee, as the executive chairman.[46]
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.[47] Jam City's stated business goals include creating high-quality games that generate revenue for years.[48] Jam City's games include both original and licensed intellectual property.[49]
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.[50] [51] The company had 31 million monthly active users and 1.3 billion total game downloads in 2021.
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.[52] In December 2012, Jam City launched MasterKey, which enabled the company to develop cross-platform games without creating separate versions for each platform.[53] MasterKey was described as being technology that "essentially works like a translator or convertor".[54]
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.[55] [56]
Notes and References
- News: Former Myspace Mogul Chris DeWolfe Reflects on Mobile Gaming's Future . Shanley . Patrick . . February 13, 2020 . March 10, 2021 . September 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200921132743/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/myspace-mogul-chris-dewolfe-reflects-mobile-gamings-future-1278540 . live .
- News: Chapple . Craig . Jam City acquires Berlin studio 231 Play . . April 5, 2019 . February 18, 2021 . December 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201201173926/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/70410/jam-city-acquires-berlin-studio-231-play/ . live .
- News: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery publisher Jam City will launch SPAC at $1.2B value, buy Ludia for $175M . Takahashi . Dean . . May 20, 2021 . May 21, 2021 . May 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520200530/https://venturebeat.com/2021/05/20/harry-potter-game-maker-jam-city-will-launch-spac-at-1-2b-value-and-buy-ludia-for-175m/ . live .
- Web site: Chris DeWolfe Makes His Move – Raises Big Round, Acquires Gaming Platform MindJolt . March 3, 2010 . Arrington . Michael . . January 23, 2017 . September 23, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160923224436/https://techcrunch.com/2010/03/03/chris-dewolfe-mindjolt-austin-ventures/ . live.
- News: June 1, 2018 . Jam City seeks another hit with more Family Guy, plans for IPO . USA Today . Tysons Corner, VA . March 22, 2017 . Graham, Jefferson . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612170028/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/03/22/jam-city-seeks-another-hit-more-family-guy-plans-ipo/99431382/ . live.
- News: June 1, 2018 . Former MySpace CEO Makes A Comeback As A Mobile Gaming Hitmaker . Forbes . New York, NY . June 12, 2017 . Chaykowski, Kathleen . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144621/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenchaykowski/2017/06/12/former-myspace-ceo-makes-a-comeback-as-a-mobile-gaming-hitmaker . live.
- News: Spangler . Todd . Mobile-Game Studio SGN Lands $130 Million from Korea's Netmarble . . July 23, 2015 . February 17, 2021 . November 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108153238/https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/sgn-netmarble-funding-mobile-games-1201546770/ . live.
- Web site: A Myspace Founder Builds Again, Buying Game Companies . April 18, 2011 . Rusli . Evelyn M. . New York Times Dealbook . January 23, 2017 . March 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180319085028/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/a-myspace-founder-is-building-again-with-online-games/ . live.
- Web site: MySpace Co-Founder Chris DeWolfe Explains SGN's New Name, Multi-Platform Plans . March 2, 2012 . Ha . Anthony . TechCrunch . January 23, 2017 . September 23, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160923080602/https://techcrunch.com/2012/03/02/mindjolt-becomes-social-gaming-network/ . live.
- Web site: SGN Changes Name to Jam City, Acquires Rights to Make 'Peanuts' Mobile Game . September 22, 2016 . Spangler . Todd . Variety . Variety Media, LLC . January 10, 2017 . February 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170215230955/http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/sgn-jam-city-peanuts-mobile-game-1201867364/ . live.
- Web site: Social Gaming Network's Acquisition Of Mob Science Continues Trend Away From Facebook-Only Social Games . June 17, 2013 . M . Will . AdWeek
Social Times
. January 23, 2017 . April 2, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402062655/http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/social-gaming-network-mob-science/423171 . live.
- News: Jam City's Panda Pop clears 100 million downloads in under four years . August 25, 2017 . Cowley . Ric . . February 23, 2021 . January 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210123022117/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/66479/panda-pop-100-million-downloads/ . live.
- News: Panda Pop passes 100 million users as Jam City readies for an IPO . Shieber . Jonathan . . August 24, 2017 . March 10, 2021 . November 27, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201127151838/https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/24/panda-pop-readies-jam-city-closeup/ . live.
- News: 'Cookie Jam': A tasty puzzle game with new twists . March 24, 2014 . Saltzman . Marc . . February 23, 2021 . February 22, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200222015015/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/03/24/cookie-jam-app-review/6824875/ . live.
- News: June 27, 2018 . Jam City's Cookie Jam hits 100 million downloads as Cookie Jam Blast debuts . VentureBeat . San Francisco, CA . May 24, 2017 . Takahashi, Dean . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612205332/https://venturebeat.com/2017/05/24/jam-citys-cookie-jam-hits-100-million-downloads-as-cookie-jam-blast-debuts/ . live.
- News: Mobile game 'Cookie Jam' latest hit being exported to China . December 16, 2014 . Dave . Paresh . . February 23, 2021 . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144558/http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-cookie-jam-netease-20141216-story.html . live.
- News: Maker of 'Cookie Jam' Lands $130 Million Investment From Korea's Top Gaming Giant . Zipkin . Nina . . July 23, 2015 . March 10, 2021 . February 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210224005045/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/248739 . live.
- News: Netmarble Takes Stake in SGN, Extending Asia's Reach Into U.S. Mobile Games . July 23, 2015 . Zimmerman . Eilene . . January 13, 2017 . January 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180116135655/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/23/technology/netmarble-takes-stake-in-sgn-extending-asias-reach-into-us-mobile-games.html?_r=1 . live.
- Web site: Why This Mobile Game Company Raised $130 Million . July 23, 2015 . Ungerleider . Neal . . Mansueto Ventures, LLC . January 13, 2017 . January 31, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170131023931/https://www.fastcompany.com/3048962/tech-forecast/why-this-mobile-game-company-raised-130-million . live.
- News: Mobile-Game Studio SGN Lands $130 Million from Korea's Netmarble . Spangler . Todd . . July 23, 2015 . March 10, 2021 . September 20, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190920190428/https://variety.com/2015/digital/asia/sgn-netmarble-funding-mobile-games-1201546770/ . live.
- Web site: Ellingson . Annlee . July 6, 2016 . SGN buys startup behind Marvel, 'Family Guy' mobile games . January 10, 2017 . Biz Journals . American City Business Journals . February 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170215121228/http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/07/06/sgn-buys-startup-behind-marvel-family-guy-mobile.html . live.
- Web site: SGN Buys TinyCo, Maker of 'Marvel Avengers Academy' Mobile Game . July 6, 2016 . Spangler . Todd . Variety . Variety Media, LLC . January 10, 2017 . February 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170226215332/http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/sgn-tinyco-marvel-avengers-academy-1201809201/ . live.
- Web site: SGN Talks About Acquiring TinyCo, Future Of Mobile Games Industry . July 7, 2016 . Peterson . Steve . A List Daily . Ayzenberg . January 10, 2017 . February 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170215195637/http://www.alistdaily.com/strategy/sgn-talks-acquiring-tinyco-future-mobile-games-industry/ . live.
- News: How Jam City CEO Chris DeWolfe sees the freakin' mobile game world . April 25, 2017 . . February 23, 2021 . September 22, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200922084459/https://venturebeat.com/2017/04/25/how-jam-city-ceo-chris-dewolfe-sees-the-freakin-mobile-game-world/ . live.
- News: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery tops Apple App Store charts a day after launch . Chan . Stephanie . . April 26, 2018 . February 23, 2021 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043244/https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/26/harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-tops-apple-app-store-charts-a-day-after-launch/ . live.
- News: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery tops Apple App Store charts a day after launch . Chan . Stephanie . . April 26, 2018 . March 11, 2021 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043244/https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/26/harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-tops-apple-app-store-charts-a-day-after-launch/ . live.
- News: Harry Potter mobile game maker Jam City raises $145 million . Takahashi . Dean . . January 16, 2019 . March 11, 2021 . November 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108011521/https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/16/harry-potter-mobile-game-maker-jam-city-raises-145-million/ . live.
- News: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery grosses $110m in first year . Taylor . Haydn . . March 14, 2019 . March 11, 2021 . November 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111205231/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-03-14-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-grosses-usd110m-in-first-year . live.
- News: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery reaches $150m in revenue . Dealessandri . Marie . . October 10, 2019 . March 12, 2021 . October 10, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191010131601/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-10-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-reaches-usd150m-in-revenue . live.
- Web site: April 26, 2019 . 2019 Google Play Awards nominees announced ahead of Google I/O . January 27, 2021 . Android Authority . March 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200314185642/https://www.androidauthority.com/2019-google-play-awards-979976/ . live.
- Web site: Kerr . Chris . Marvel Strike Force and Shadowgun Legends honored at 2019 Google Play Awards . January 27, 2021 . gamasutra.com . June 10, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190610072257/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/342193/Marvel_Strike_Force_and_Shadowgun_Legends_honored_at_2019_Google_Play_Awards.php . live.
- News: Takahashi . Dean . Jam City acquires Bingo Pop maker from Uken . . November 28, 2018 . February 17, 2021 . June 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190629171342/https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/28/jam-city-acquires-bingo-pop-maker-uken/ . live.
- News: Shieber . Jonathan . Jam City is setting up a Toronto shop by buying Bingo Pop from Uken Games . . November 28, 2018 . February 17, 2021 . December 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181227043929/https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/28/jam-city-is-setting-up-a-toronto-shop-by-buying-bingo-pop-from-uken-games/ . live.
- News: Amore . Samson . Jam City Acquires Bingo Pop Mobile Game . . November 28, 2018 . February 17, 2021 . August 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190805082735/http://labusinessjournal.com/news/2018/nov/28/jam-city-acquires-bingo-pop-mobile-game/ . live.
- News: Beresford . Trilby . Jam City, Disney Unveil First Look at 'Frozen Adventures' Mobile Game . . August 23, 2019 . February 18, 2021 . December 5, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201205122418/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jam-city-disney-unveil-first-look-at-frozen-adventures-mobile-game-1234246 . live.
- News: Takahashi . Dean . Harry Potter mobile game maker Jam City raises $145 million . . January 16, 2019 . February 17, 2021 . November 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108011521/https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/16/harry-potter-mobile-game-maker-jam-city-raises-145-million/ . live.
- News: Shieber . Jonathan . Consolidation is coming to gaming, and Jam City raises $145 million to capitalize on it . . January 16, 2019 . February 17, 2021 . November 7, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201107002029/https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/16/consolidation-is-coming-to-gaming-and-jam-city-raises-145-million-to-capitalize-on-it/ . live.
- News: Chapple . Craig . Jam City acquires Berlin studio 231 Play . . April 5, 2019 . February 18, 2021 . December 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201201173926/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/70410/jam-city-acquires-berlin-studio-231-play/ . live.
- News: Chris DeWolfe interview: Jam City bets on Disney Frozen 2 collaboration . Takahashi . Dean . . November 14, 2019 . March 10, 2021 . October 22, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201022122205/https://venturebeat.com/2019/11/14/chris-dewolfe-interview-jam-city-makes-big-bet-on-disney-frozen-2-collaboration/ . live.
- Web site: Jam City, Inc. . Sensor Tower . March 10, 2021 . April 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210422161626/https://sensortower.com/android/publisher/jam-city-inc/Jam%2BCity%2C%2BInc. . live.
- News: Cherney . Max A. . Mergers Are Heating Up in the Videogame World. EA and Activision Have Lots of Spending Money. . . June 22, 2020 . February 23, 2021 . February 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210211172143/https://www.barrons.com/articles/activision-and-ea-could-be-ready-for-a-big-acquisition-51592868351 . live.
- News: Fenwick, Greenberg Traurig add Jam City's $1.2 bln SPAC deal to mix . Jackson . Sierra . . May 20, 2021 . May 21, 2021 . May 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520202113/https://www.reuters.com/business/legal/fenwick-greenberg-traurig-add-jam-citys-12-bln-spac-deal-mix-2021-05-20/ . live .
- News: Mobile-Game Maker Jam City to Go Public Via SPAC Merger . Tse . Crystal . . . May 20, 2021 . May 21, 2021 . May 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520104257/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mobile-game-maker-jam-city-040100384.html . live .
- Web site: Jam City acquires Ludia for $165m. Gamesindustry.biz. September 8, 2021.
- Web site: Jam City lays off 17% of workforce . Danielle . Partis . August 5, 2022 . . August 5, 2022.
- Web site: Josh Yguado appointed CEO of Jam City . Lewis . Rees . January 20, 2023 . . 25 July 2024.
- Web site: MySpace's Co-Founder Preps Second Act Jam City for Possible IPO . January 9, 2017 . Palmeri . Christopher . Bloomberg Markets . Bloomberg LP . January 10, 2017 . January 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170110130043/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-09/myspace-s-co-founder-preps-second-act-jam-city-for-possible-ipo . live.
- Web site: Brain Drain? Zynga Loses Top Talent to Optimistic Rival . June 14, 2013 . Booton . Jennifer . Fox Business . January 23, 2017 . February 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170215122645/http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2013/06/14/brain-drain-zynga-loses-top-talent-to-optimistic-rival.html . live.
- News: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery publisher Jam City will launch SPAC at $1.2B value, buy Ludia for $175M . Takahashi . Dean . May 20, 2021 . May 20, 2021 . . May 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520110258/https://venturebeat.com/2021/05/20/harry-potter-game-maker-jam-city-will-launch-spac-at-1-2b-value-and-buy-ludia-for-175m/ . live .
- News: June 1, 2018 . Jam City CEO Chris DeWolfe Talks Mobile Gaming Strategy—And A 2019 IPO . Fast Company . New York, NY . August 9, 2017 . Karlin, Susan . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141220/https://www.fastcompany.com/40446522/jam-city-ceo-chris-dewolfe-talks-mobile-gaming-strategy-and-a-2019-ipo . live.
- News: June 1, 2018 . Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery tops Apple App Store charts a day after launch . VentureBeat . San Francisco, CA . April 26, 2018 . Chan, Stephanie . June 8, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180608215253/https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/26/harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-tops-apple-app-store-charts-a-day-after-launch/ . live.
- Web site: MindJolt Focuses On Monetization, Prepares To Invade iPad/iPhone . November 17, 2010 . Arrington . Michael . . January 23, 2017 . February 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170215203929/https://techcrunch.com/2010/11/17/mindjolt-focuses-on-monetization-prepares-to-invade-ipadiphone/ . live.
- Web site: SGN Makes Its Big Push For Cross-Platform, Mobile-Social Games With The Launch Of Its MasterKey Technology . December 18, 2012 . Ha . Anthony . . January 23, 2017 . September 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160924044142/https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/18/sgn-masterkey-launch/ . live.
- Web site: The Science of Social Games . June 12, 2013 . Kozlowski . Lori . . January 23, 2017 . February 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170215125950/http://www.forbes.com/sites/lorikozlowski/2013/06/12/the-science-of-social-games/#54899d866c16 . live.
- Web site: Facebook's top game aims to sweeten up China . December 15, 2014 . Levy . Ari . CNBC . CNBC LLC . January 20, 2017 . June 8, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170608090851/http://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/15/facebooks-top-game-aims-to-sweeten-up-china.html . live.
- Web site: SGN launches Cookie Jam into China: it was not easy . December 16, 2014 . Reim . Garrett . Built in LA . January 19, 2017 . February 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170215120140/http://www.builtinla.com/2014/12/16/sgn-launches-cookie-jam-china-it-was-not-easy . live.