YoYo Games

YoYo Games is a British software development company based in Dundee, Scotland. From February 2015 to January 2021, the company was owned by Playtech, which was then sold to Opera Software to launch its new gaming division.

YoYo Games Ltd.
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded2007 (2007)
Founders
  • Michel Cassius
  • Sandy Duncan
  • Spencer Hyman
  • James North-Hearn
HeadquartersDundee, Scotland, UK
Key people
Stuart Poole (general manager)
ProductsGameMaker
ParentPlaytech (2015–2021)
Opera Software (2021–present)
Websitewww.yoyogames.com

History

YoYo Games was founded in 2007 by Michel Cassius, Sandy Duncan, Spencer Hyman and James North-Hearn, former entertainment and video game industry executives. Duncan was appointed chief executive officer of the company.[1] On 26 January 2007, Mark Overmars announced his partnership with a company based in Dundee, Scotland, called YoYo Games.[2][3]

The company established its European office in Dundee in May 2010 by opening an office within Abertay University with two team members.[4] The company currently employs more than 25 employees.[5] YoYo Games has announced plans to create an additional 25 positions, over the next 18 months, in systems development, software engineering, sales and customer service.[6] The employees will be hired to help the company keep pace with the rapid evolution of the global games market and demand for Game Maker: Studio.[7] To accommodate this expansion, in June 2013, YoYo Games moved from its old location within Abertay University[7] into new office space on Dundee’s Waterfront redevelopment.[5] On 16 February 2015 it was announced that Playtech acquired YoYo Games for £10.65 million (USD$16.4 million).[8][9] Shortly thereafter, Duncan stepped down from his position.[10] He was later replaced by James Cox as general manager, who himself stepped down in October 2018 to be replaced by Stuart Poole in January 2019.[11]

Playtech sold YoYo Games to Opera Software for US$10 million in January 2021. Opera announced with YoYo's acquisition, it was launching a new Opera Gaming division alongside their browser software.[12][13]

References
  1. "YoYo Games". University of California, Santa Barbara.
  2. Public announcement from Mark Overmars, Game Maker Community
  3. Schonfeld, Erick; Yen, Yi-Wyn. "It's a Web, Web, Web 2.0 world". CNN Money. CNN. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  4. "YoYo Games Expands Into Dundee Waterfront". Dundee Waterfront. Dundee City Council. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  5. Williamson, James (23 April 2013). "Dundee's YoYo Games looks to next level - The Courier". The Courier. DC Thomson. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  6. "YoYo Games to Double its Staff to 50". Interactive Tayside. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  7. scottishgames (23 April 2013). "YoYo Games Expanding, Recruiting New Staff, Moving To New Office | Scottish Games Network". Scottish Games Network. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  8. Pearson, Dan (16 February 2015). "YoYo Games sells to PlayTech for $16.4 million". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  9. Chapple, Craig (16 February 2015). "PlayTech buys GameMaker creator YoYo Games for £10m". Develop. NewBay. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  10. Judge, Alysia (17 February 2015). "YoYo Games CEO steps down following $16 million Playtech deal". Pocket Gamer.biz.
  11. Handrahan, Matthew (16 January 2019). "YoYo Games promotes Stuart Poole to general manager". GamesIndustry.biz.
  12. Kerr, Chris (19 January 2021). "Playtech sells GameMaker Studio maker YoYo Games for $10 million". Gamasutra. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  13. Takahashi, Dean (20 January 2021). "Opera acquires YoYo Games for $10 million and launches Opera Gaming division". Venture Beat. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
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