Scopely

Scopely, Inc is an American interactive entertainment company and mobile games developer and publisher.[2] The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with offices in Barcelona, Spain; Boulder, Colorado; Dublin, Ireland; London, England; and Tokyo, Japan.[3]

Scopely, Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustryVideo games
Founded2011 (2011) in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Founders
Headquarters
Culver City, California
,
U.S.
Number of locations
5 (2019)
Key people
  • Walter Driver (Co-CEO)
  • Javier Ferreira (Co-CEO)
  • Tim O’Brien (CRO)
  • Roxane Lukas (CPO)
  • Ankur Bulsara (CTO)
  • Aaron Loeb (CBO)
Products
Number of employees
800[1] (2020)
Subsidiaries
  • Digit Game Studios
  • FoxNext Games
  • PierPlay
Websitescopely.com

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

History

Scopely was founded in 2011 by Walter Driver, Ankur Bulsara, Eric Futoran and Eytan Elbaz.[7][8] Previously, Elbaz co-founded Applied Semantics, which was acquired by Google in 2003, and Bulsara was a software developer at MySpace.[8] In 2014, former Disney Interactive and Electronic Arts executive Javier Ferreira joined Scopely.[9] Former Disney Interactive executive Tim O'Brien joined in 2014 as chief revenue officer.[10]

In August 2015, Scopely ranked #9 on Inc.'s List of the 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies in America, and #1 in the US.[11]

In October 2017, the company announced it was opening a studio in Barcelona.[12]

In May 2019, the company acquired Dublin-based Digit Game Studios, its collaborator on the mobile strategy game Star Trek Fleet Command.[13]

In June 2019, the company shared it had surpassed $1 billion in lifetime revenues.[14]

In January 2020, the company purchased FoxNext Games Los Angeles and Cold Iron Studios from Disney for an undisclosed amount.[15] Scopely later sold Cold Iron Studios to Daybreak Game Company.[16]

In April 2020, Scopely also acquired PierPlay, a studio behind Scrabble Go.[17]

Games

In January 2012, Scopely launched its first free-to-play mobile game Dice with Buddies,[18] followed that year by Jewels with Buddies[19] and Bubble Galaxy with Buddies,[20] which debuted as the #1 free app in the App Store.[21]

In April 2013, Scopely launched Mini Golf MatchUp, a head-to-head game developed with New Zealand-based studio Rocket Jump.[4][22] 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.[23] 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.[24] In November 2013, the company launched the Skee-ball game Skee-ball Arcade, which reached #1 overall in the App Store.[25]

In June 2014, Scopely launched Slots Vacation.[25] In July 2014, Scopely acquired Space Inch's Disco Bees.[26] 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.[27] The game saw more than 1 million downloads in its first four days.[28][29] In 2016, Scopely released Dice With Ellen, a Yahtzee-style dice game with Ellen DeGeneres.[30]

In May 2015, Scopely signed a multi-year partnership deal with Ireland's Digit Games Studios.[31] The collaboration led to the acquisition of Kings of the Realm, a fantasy strategy MMO game.[32]

In August 2015, Scopely partnered with The Walking Dead series creator Robert Kirkman and Skybound Entertainment to create The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, 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.[29][33] 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.[34] As of 2018, 40 million people have installed the game since its release.[35]

In 2016, the company partnered with Sony Pictures TV to launch Wheel of Fortune: Free Play, based on the television game show.[36]

Scopely announced a partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2017, and launched the match-3 game WWE Champions.[37] It won a Webby Award for People's Voice in the sports games category.[38]

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.[39] In November 2018, Scopely launched Star Trek Fleet Command, partnering with CBS Interactive and DIGIT Game Studios.[40] 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][41] The game was downloaded more than one million times on its launch day.[42]

In 2019, the company shared Star Trek Fleet Command surpassed $50 million in revenue in four months.[43]

In 2020, the company acquired Foxnext Games, developer of Marvel Strike Force.[44]

Funding

In 2013, Scopely raised a seed round of $8.5 million,[19] led by Anthem Venture Partners, with participation from The Chernin Group, Greycroft Venture Partners, and New Enterprise Associates.[45] In 2014, Scopely raised a $35 million Series A funding round, led by Evolution Media.[25][46] In 2016, Scopely raised $55 million in Series B funding.[37] In 2017, the company announced $60 million in Series C funding, led by Revolution Growth,[8] and then raised an additional $100 million from Greenspring Associates in 2018.[39]

In 2019, the company announced $200 million in Series D financing, valuing the company at $1.7 billion.[47] In March 2020, the company announced another $200 million in Series D financing, valuing the company at $1.9 billion.[48]

In October 2020, Scopely announced $340 million in Series E financing, valuing the company at $3.3 billion.[49]

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

Further reading
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