Scopely Explained

Scopely, Inc.
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Video games
Founded: in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Hq Location City:Culver City, California
Hq Location Country:U.S.
Num Locations:15+
Num Locations Year:2024
Num Employees:2,000[1]
Num Employees Year:2022
Parent:Savvy Games Group (2023–present)

Scopely, Inc. is an American interactive entertainment company and mobile-first video game developer and publisher.[2] The company is headquartered in Culver City, California, with offices across the US, EMEA and Asia.[3]

Scopely has both internal game development studios as well as partners with external development studios to create free-to-play games.[4] [5] Scopely also partners with intellectual property holders to create video games based on popular entertainment brands.[6]

Savvy Games Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), acquired the company in July 2023 for $4.9 billion.[7]

History

Scopely was founded in 2011 by Walter Driver, Ankur Bulsara, Eric Futoran and Eytan Elbaz.[8] [9] Previously, Elbaz co-founded Applied Semantics, which was acquired by Google in 2003, and Bulsara was a software developer at MySpace.[9] In 2014, former Disney Interactive and Electronic Arts executive Javier Ferreira joined Scopely.[10] Former Disney Interactive executive Tim O'Brien joined in 2014 as chief revenue officer.[11]

In August 2015, Scopely ranked #9 on Inc.'s List of the 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies in America, and #1 in the US.[12]

In October 2017, the company announced it was opening an office in Barcelona.[13]

In May 2019, the company acquired Dublin-based DIGIT game studios, its collaborator on the mobile 4x strategy game Star Trek Fleet Command.[14]

In June 2019, the company shared it had surpassed $1 billion in lifetime revenues.[15]

In January 2020, the company purchased FoxNext Games Los Angeles and its RPG game MARVEL Strike Force, along with Cold Iron Studios, from The Walt Disney Company for an undisclosed amount.[16] Scopely later sold Cold Iron Studios to Daybreak Game Company.[17]

In April 2020, Scopely also acquired PierPlay game studio, its collaborator on the mobile word game Scrabble GO.[18]

In October 2021, Scopely acquired Game Show Network's online gaming division (GSN Games) from Sony in a $1 billion cash and stock deal. Sony Pictures took a minority stake in the company as a result.[19] [20]

Savvy Games Group announced its intent to acquire Scopely, Inc for $4.9 billion on April 5, 2023.[21] [22] The acquisition was completed on July 13, 2023. In June 2023, Scopely acquired Tag Games.[23]

In February 2024, Scopely ended its publishing partnership with Global Worldwide game studio on the title Kingdom Maker and redeployed the Scopely team supporting the project to other games. Less than 15 roles were eliminated as a result of this decision. Scopely remains a strategic investor in Global Worldwide, who continues to operate and publish Kingdom Maker.[24] [25]

Games

In January 2012, Scopely launched its first free-to-play mobile game Dice with Buddies,[26] followed that year by Jewels with Buddies and Bubble Galaxy with Buddies,[27] which debuted as the #1 free app in the App Store.[28]

In April 2013, Scopely launched Mini Golf MatchUp, a head-to-head game developed with New Zealand-based studio Rocket Jump.[4] [29] The game was #1 for free apps in the App Store in 49 countries[4] and the #1 app on both the iPhone and the iPad in the U.S.[30] In September 2013, Scopely launched Wordly, a spelling game that reached #1 on the top free apps chart in the App Store, and was the first game with single-player mode developed by Scopely.[31] In November 2013, the company launched the Skee-ball game Skee-ball Arcade, which reached #1 overall in the App Store.

In June 2014, Scopely launched Slots Vacation. In July 2014, Scopely acquired Space Inch's Disco Bees.[32]

In April 2015, Scopely partnered with Hasbro to launch the only officially licensed Yahtzee game, Yahtzee With Buddies, on iOS, Android and the Apple Watch.[33] The game saw more than 1 million downloads in its first four days.[34] [35] In 2016, Scopely released Dice With Ellen, a Yahtzee-style dice game with Ellen DeGeneres.[36]

In May 2015, Scopely signed a multi-year partnership deal with Ireland's DIGIT games studios.[37] The collaboration led to the acquisition of Kings of the Realm, a fantasy strategy MMO game.[38]

In August 2015, Scopely partnered with The Walking Dead series creator Robert Kirkman and Skybound Entertainment to create , the first free-to-play mobile game based on the graphic novels. The game saw 4 million downloads in its first week, was a Top 25 Grossing Game in 17 countries, and became the 6th consecutive #1 game released by Scopely.[35] [39]

In 2016, the company partnered with Sony Pictures TV to launch Wheel of Fortune: Free Play, based on the television game show.[40]

Scopely announced a partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2017 and launched the match-3 game WWE Champions.[41] It won a Webby Award for People's Voice in the sports games category.[42]

In 2017, Scopely's The Walking Dead: Road to Survival experienced programming-induced glitches which affected player usage and brought long wait times for matchmaking. Scopely's game developers apologized and offered virtual items as compensation, but some players complained about the value of those gifts.[43] As of 2018, 40 million people have installed the game since its release.[44]

In 2018, Scopely had four top-grossing games: WWE Champions, The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Wheel of Fortune: Free Play, and Yahtzee With Buddies.[45] In November 2018, Scopely launched Star Trek Fleet Command, partnering with CBS Interactive and DIGIT Game Studios.[46] In December 2018, Scopely launched Looney Tunes World of Mayhem, a multi-player role-playing game featuring Looney Tunes characters licensed from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, developed in partnership with Aquiris Game Studio.[5] [47] The game was downloaded more than one million times on its launch day.[48]

In 2019, the company shared Star Trek Fleet Command surpassed $50 million in revenue in four months.[49]

In 2022, the company acquired the mobile party battle royale game Stumble Guys from Kitka Games.[50]

In April 2023, Scopely launched Monopoly Go!.[51] Monopoly Go! became the biggest mobile game of 2023, generating $1 billion in revenue.[52]

Funding

In 2013, Scopely raised a seed round of $8.5 million,[53] led by Anthem Venture Partners, with participation from The Chernin Group, Greycroft Venture Partners, and New Enterprise Associates.[54] In 2014, Scopely raised a $35 million Series A funding round, led by Evolution Media.[55] [56] In 2016, Scopely raised $55 million in Series B funding.[41] In 2017, the company announced $60 million in Series C funding, led by Revolution Growth,[9] and then raised an additional $100 million from Greenspring Associates in 2018.[45]

In 2019, the company announced $200 million in Series D financing, valuing the company at $1.7 billion.[57] In March 2020, the company announced another $200 million in Series D financing, valuing the company at $1.9 billion.[58]

In October 2020, Scopely announced $340 million in Series E financing, valuing the company at $3.3 billion.[59]

As of October 2021, Scopely was valued at $5.4 billion.[60]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Disney sells 'Marvel $$ Force' game studio FoxNext . . 22 January 2020 .
  2. Web site: Scopely . Growjo.com.
  3. Web site: Scopely Taps Former Disney Exec to Head New Japan Offices. The Hollywood Reporter . 12 September 2019. 18 September 2019.
    - Web site: Taylor . Haydn . Scopely to open Barcelona office:LA-based mobile publisher going international after receiving $60m investment earlier this year. Games Industry . 5 October 2017 . 15 January 2019.
    - Web site: Scopely Acquires Dublin-Based DIGIT Game Studios, Expanding European Footprint. The Hollywood Reporter. 9 May 2019. 26 August 2019.
  4. News: LaPorte. Nicole. Scopely finds hit apps the same way Hollywood lands blockbusters. 11 October 2013. Fast Company. 24 September 2013.
  5. Web site: Chmielewski . Dawn . Scopely To Bring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck And Other Looney Tunes Characters To Mobile Gaming . Deadline . 16 August 2018 . Deadline Holloywood . 16 January 2019.
  6. Web site: Scopely To Bring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck And Other Looney Tunes Characters To Mobile Gaming. Chmielewski. Dawn C.. 16 August 2018. Deadline. 13 February 2020.
  7. News: Savvy Games completes acquisition of Scopely in e-gaming push . 13 July 2023 . Arab News.
  8. News: Lagorio-Chafkin . Christine . The Mobile Gaming Future, According to the Founder Who Lives It Every Day . 11 February 2019 . Inc. . 9 August 2016.
  9. News: Spangler . Todd . Mobile Games Maker Scopely Banks $60 Million With Valuation Over $600 Million . 11 February 2019 . Variety . 15 June 2017.
  10. Web site: Hot Mobile Games Company Scopely Nabs Former Disney Executive. Shields. Mike. 2014-04-15. WSJ . 26 August 2019.
  11. Web site: Jordan. Jon. Ex-Disney Mobile exec Tim O'Brien joins Scopely as CRO. PocketGamer. 4 July 2014.
  12. Web site: Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Companies in America. Inc. 18 August 2015.
  13. Web site: Chapple . Craig . The Walking Dead: Road to Survival developer Scopely opening new studio in Barcelona . Pocket Gamer . 11 February 2019.
  14. Web site: Scopely Acquires Dublin-Based DIGIT Game Studios, Expanding European Footprint. The Hollywood Reporter . 9 May 2019. 26 June 2019.
  15. Web site: Mobile Games Publisher Scopely Hits $1 Billion In Lifetime Revenue. Perez. Matt. Forbes. 26 June 2019.
  16. Web site: Disney Sells FoxNext Games Los Angeles And Cold Iron Studios To Scopely . Dade . Hayes . 22 January 2020 . 22 January 2020 . .
  17. Web site: Daybreak Games acquires Cold Iron Studios, saving the next Alien game. Dean . Takahashi . August 11, 2020 . August 11, 2020 . .
  18. Web site: Scopely acquires PierPlay Game Studio, co-creators of Scrabble® GO. 2020-06-18. Scopely. en-US.
  19. Web site: Spangler. Todd. 2021-10-18. Sony Pictures Entertainment to Sell GSN Games Division to Scopely for $1 Billion. 2021-10-18. Variety. en-US.
  20. Web site: Weprin. Alex. 2021-10-18. Sony Sells GSN Games Studio to Scopely for $1B. 2021-10-18. The Hollywood Reporter. en-US.
  21. Web site: 2023-04-05 . Savvy Games Group to buy mobile game publisher Scopely for $4.9B . 2023-04-05 . VentureBeat . en-US.
  22. News: 2023-04-05 . Saudi's Savvy Games Buys Gamemaker Scopely For $4.9 Billion . en . Bloomberg.com . 2023-04-05.
  23. News: Griffiths . Daniel . 2023-06-29 . Scopely acquires Dundee-based Tag Games . 2023-09-03 . Pocketgamer.biz.
  24. Web site: Griffiths . Daniel . PocketGamer.biz . Editor- . 2024-02-13 . Scopely's Kingdom Maker team sees lay-offs . 2024-05-15 . pocketgamer.biz.
  25. Web site: Sinclair . Brendan . 2024-02-14 . Scopely layoffs hit Kingdom Maker team . 2024-03-05 . GamesIndustry.biz . en.
  26. News: Dave . Paresh . Scopely, Kite & Lightning and Masterclass among week's L.A. tech highlights . 12 February 2019 . Los Angeles Times . 26 July 2016.
  27. News: Fahey . Mike . Every Friend Recruited for Bubble Galaxy with Buddies is Clean Drinking Water for Burkina Faso . 12 February 2019 . Kotaku . 24 October 2012.
  28. News: Carney . Michael . Scopely announces first five developer partners, adding Double Fine and others to publishing platform . 12 February 2019 . Pando . 28 February 2013 . 25 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201025193839/https://pando.com/2013/02/28/scopely-announced-first-five-developer-partners-ads-double-fine-and-others-to-publishing-platform/ . dead .
  29. Web site: Jordan. Jon. Following Mini Golf Matchup's success, Scopely adds Darion Lowenstein as games VP. Pocketgamer.biz. 11 April 2013.
  30. Web site: MiniGolf Match Up Ranking. Appannie. 11 April 2013.
  31. News: Shaul . Brandy . Competitive word game Wordly climbs to the top of free iOS charts . 12 February 2019 . Adweek . 6 September 2013.
  32. Web site: Shaul. Brandy. Scopely Announces Publishing Partnership with Make it Rain Developer Space Inch. Inside Mobile Apps. 21 July 2014.
  33. Web site: Dean. Takahashi. Yahtzee with Buddies Brings the Popular Family Dice Game to Mobile and to Apple Watch. Venture Beat. 9 April 2015. 9 April 2015.
    - Web site: Shaul. Brandy. Scopely Launches Yahtzee With Buddies on iOS, Android. SocialTimes. AdWeek. 9 April 2015.
  34. Web site: Diaz. Justin. YAHTZEE With Buddies Reaches More Than 1 Million Downloads In The First Four Days. AndroidHeadlines. 20 April 2015. Android Headlines. 24 April 2015.
  35. News: Beer . Jeff . How Scopely Plans To Be The Biggest Entertainment Network In Your Pocket . 12 February 2019 . Fast Company . 4 November 2015.
  36. News: It's time to roll the dice... with Ellen . 12 February 2019 . AppAdvice . 25 August 2017.
  37. Web site: Takahashi. Dean. Scopely teams up with Ireland's Digit Game Studios to grab bigger slice of $30B mobile game market. VentureBeat. 27 May 2015. VentureBeat. 28 May 2015.
  38. News: Jordan . Jon . The explosive rise of Scopely . 12 February 2019 . Pocketgamer.biz . 27 June 2017.
  39. News: Shields . Mike . How Scopely and PewDiePie Got Four Million People To Download 'Walking Dead' Game in One Week . 12 February 2019 . Wall Street Journal . 2 September 2015.
  40. News: Slead . Evan . 22 September 2016 . Wheel of Fortune creates official mobile game, complete with Pat and Vanna . 12 February 2019 . Entertainment Weekly.
  41. News: Spangler . Todd . 26 July 2016 . Mobile-Game Maker Scopely Raises $55 Million . 11 February 2019 . Variety.
  42. Web site: 2018 Webby Awards . 12 February 2019 . webbyawards.com.
  43. Web site: Takahashi. Dean. Scopely's Walking Dead fans revolt over glitches. VentureBeat. 25 July 2017.
  44. News: Crecente . Brian . 'The Walking Dead' Video Games: An Oral History . 22 February 2019 . Variety . 2018.
  45. Web site: Spangler . Todd . Mobile-Games Company Scopely Raised Additional $100 Million for Acquisitions, Investments. Variety.com . 19 June 2018 . Variety . 16 January 2019 . Variety.
  46. News: Romano . Nick . Star Trek Beyond crew assemble in Fleet Command game footage . 12 February 2019 . Entertainment Weekly . 28 November 2018.
  47. News: Takahashi . Dean . Scopely launches Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem character battle mobile game . 12 February 2019 . Venture Beat . 13 December 2018.
  48. News: Chapple . Craig . Scopely's Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem topped 1m downloads on launch day . 12 February 2019 . Pocket Gamer . 24 December 2018.
  49. Web site: The secret of Scopely's success? How we think about IP, says CEO . Jordan . Jon . Pocket Gamer. 26 June 2019.
  50. Web site: Takahashi . Dean . Scopely acquires Stumble Guys battle royale game from Kitka Games . September 8, 2022 . venturebeat.com . Venture Beat . September 15, 2022 .
  51. News: 2023-04-12 . Monopoly Go! is Scopely’s latest Hasbro board game adaptation . en-US . Venture Beat . 2023-06-07.
  52. Web site: Takahashi . Dean . 2023-11-16 . Scopely’s Monopoly Go rolls past $1B in revenue . 2024-01-06 . VentureBeat . en-US.
  53. Web site: Cutler. Kim-Mai. Confirmed: Scopely's New $8.5M Funding Round Was Not Wrapped In Bacon. 19 September 2012 . Techcrunch. 11 April 2013.
  54. Web site: Carney. Michael. Scopely Raises $8.5M, Doesn't Want to Reveal What It's Building (But I Will). 19 September 2012. PandoDaily. 11 April 2013.
  55. Web site: Ha. Anthony. Scopely Raises $35M For Its Mobile Gaming Platform. TechCrunch. 13 November 2014 . 17 November 2014.
  56. Web site: Spangler. Todd. Mobile-Games Startup Scopely Raises $35 Million Led by Evolution Media, Highland Capital. Variety. 13 November 2014. 17 November 2014.
  57. Web site: 2019-10-29. Video-Game Maker Scopely Is Valued at $1.7 Billion in New Round. 13 February 2020. Bloomberg.
  58. Web site: Mobile-Games Company Scopely Raises $200 Million From Chernin Group, Advance . Variety . 19 March 2020.
  59. Web site: Scopely raises $340 million at a $3.3 billion valuation as gaming grabs investors' interest. 28 October 2020 .
  60. Web site: Spangler. Todd. 2021-10-18. Sony Pictures Entertainment to Sell GSN Games Division to Scopely for $1 Billion. 2021-11-11. Variety. en-US.

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