Mike DeLaet

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 22, 2024 – Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, today announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Outright Games, the leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment. The partnership begins with three new games for all consoles and PC slated for release before the end of this year: Matchbox™ Driving Adventures, Monster High™: Skulltimate… Show more

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 22, 2024 – Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, today announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Outright Games, the leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment. The partnership begins with three new games for all consoles and PC slated for release before the end of this year: Matchbox™ Driving Adventures, Monster High™: Skulltimate Secrets™, and Barbie Project Friendship™.

Mattel’s partnership with Outright Games underscores its strategy to deepen engagement in the digital games sector, leveraging iconic brands to create compelling experiences for a global market. In 2023, Mattel Digital Games achieved a significant milestone, reaching 48 million monthly active players, driven by successes such as Barbie DreamHouse™ Tycoon and Hot Wheels Unleashed™ 2: Turbocharged. As Mattel nears its 80th anniversary, the company is poised to expand its digital footprint by introducing more games across more platforms, resonating with fans of all ages.

"Mattel is moving full steam ahead in its commitment to delivering fun, innovative digital gaming experiences that will broaden the universe of its many beloved franchises for fans worldwide,” said Mike DeLaet, Global Head of Digital Gaming at Mattel. “A critical component of this strategy is choosing the right partners, which is why we’re very pleased to announce this multiyear partnership with Outright Games.” Show less

Earlier this month, we ran a string of Mattel announcements, making plain their gaming vision and plans for the future. Following the hit success of the Barbie movie, Mattel announced a new partnership with Zynga subsidiary Rollic to bring a new mobile Barbie game to the market. And it isn’t just the Barbie IP coming to mobile as a partnership with StoryToys will also see the release of a new Thomas & Friends mobile app.

However, it's the company's drive to self-publish - taking control… Show more

Earlier this month, we ran a string of Mattel announcements, making plain their gaming vision and plans for the future. Following the hit success of the Barbie movie, Mattel announced a new partnership with Zynga subsidiary Rollic to bring a new mobile Barbie game to the market. And it isn’t just the Barbie IP coming to mobile as a partnership with StoryToys will also see the release of a new Thomas & Friends mobile app.

However, it's the company's drive to self-publish - taking control of their own prestgious and plentiful IP and taking the company truly digital - that attracted the most attention. Show less

Mattel is kicking off its self-published games where it will work with closely with big and small devs making Mattel-branded games.

Mike DeLaet, global head of digital gaming at El Segundo, California-based Mattel, said in an interview with GamesBeat that this is the next chapter in the mission to grow the company’s footprint in digital games.

As Mattel aims to grow its global network of studio development partners, fans can expect to see announcements for Mattel’s premier… Show more

Mattel is kicking off its self-published games where it will work with closely with big and small devs making Mattel-branded games.

Mike DeLaet, global head of digital gaming at El Segundo, California-based Mattel, said in an interview with GamesBeat that this is the next chapter in the mission to grow the company’s footprint in digital games.

As Mattel aims to grow its global network of studio development partners, fans can expect to see announcements for Mattel’s premier, self-published games starting later this year, DeLaet said. The company will likely move at a pace of one self-published game per year, he said. I spoke with DeLaet at the recent Dice Summit.

“We’ll be very selective about our partners. We’re launching a self-publishing initiative where we do co-development,” DeLaet said. “We’ll fund the development. We’ll fund the marketing and we’ll do the publishing ourselves. This will be in addition to our joint venture with NetEase, Mattel 163, and our licensing business.” Show less

I’m excited to unveil the near-final agenda for GamesBeat at The Game Awards on December 7 at LA Live’s Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles.

We’ll be holding a half a day of panels on gaming’s intersection with culture, such as gaming and Hollywood. Our theme is “Pixels to Pop Culture” with all that suggests. You can sign up here and use this code GBGA23DEAN100 for $100 off the ticket price.

We’ve scrambled to come up with awesome speakers including Owen Mahoney, CEO of Nexon… Show more

I’m excited to unveil the near-final agenda for GamesBeat at The Game Awards on December 7 at LA Live’s Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles.

We’ll be holding a half a day of panels on gaming’s intersection with culture, such as gaming and Hollywood. Our theme is “Pixels to Pop Culture” with all that suggests. You can sign up here and use this code GBGA23DEAN100 for $100 off the ticket price.

We’ve scrambled to come up with awesome speakers including Owen Mahoney, CEO of Nexon, who recently announced he was stepping down from the role in 2024 after more than a decade of success. You’ll also see Mike DeLaet, Global Head of Digital Gaming at Mattel, among numerous others below. Show less

UNO, the digital version of the classic friendship-destroying card game, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PS5. Players can choose gameplay with traditional rules, including stacking, 7-0, and jump-in, and use Uno's online multiplayer feature to play with friends on the same platform. The Ultimate Edition of the game also includes the game's DLC packs, such as Fenyx's Quest, Call of Yara, and Valhalla, each of which introduces a new game mode and themed cosmetic options for… Show more

UNO, the digital version of the classic friendship-destroying card game, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PS5. Players can choose gameplay with traditional rules, including stacking, 7-0, and jump-in, and use Uno's online multiplayer feature to play with friends on the same platform. The Ultimate Edition of the game also includes the game's DLC packs, such as Fenyx's Quest, Call of Yara, and Valhalla, each of which introduces a new game mode and themed cosmetic options for cards.

You can buy UNO, as well as any of its DLC packs, for Xbox Series X|S and PS5 today at the Ubisoft Store, or you can play UNO Ultimate Edition with a Ubisoft+ subscription. Show less

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. and MILAN, Italy – October 19, 2023 – Milestone, a leading global racing game developer, and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT), leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world, announced today the release of Hot Wheels Unleashed™ 2 - Turbocharged, available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. All-new gameplay mechanics… Show more

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. and MILAN, Italy – October 19, 2023 – Milestone, a leading global racing game developer, and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT), leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world, announced today the release of Hot Wheels Unleashed™ 2 - Turbocharged, available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. All-new gameplay mechanics to explore across different terrains, new types of vehicles with unique perks, and a broad range of both single-player and multiplayer game modes will make players’ journey into the Hot Wheels® world more thrilling than ever, where speed, skills, and creativity come together. Show less

Mattel and Gamefam Unveil Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon on Roblox

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and Gamefam today announced the upcoming launch of Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon on Roblox, the global immersive platform where millions of people connect and communicate daily, on October 6. After recording three million unique visits in beta, the first-ever official Barbie Roblox game is jam-packed with endless imagination and features everything fans could ask for… Show more

Mattel and Gamefam Unveil Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon on Roblox

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and Gamefam today announced the upcoming launch of Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon on Roblox, the global immersive platform where millions of people connect and communicate daily, on October 6. After recording three million unique visits in beta, the first-ever official Barbie Roblox game is jam-packed with endless imagination and features everything fans could ask for, including the chance to build their very own DreamHouse, live out various careers, and unleash their inner fashion icon.

Mike DeLaet, Global Head of Digital Gaming at Mattel, commented: “With so many fantastic iterations of Barbie over the years, this felt like the right time to give Barbie – one of the world’s best-selling toys and a fashion icon for more than six decades – the chance to find her feet on Roblox. As one of the most instantly recognizable brands in the world, we're so excited for Barbie’s Roblox debut and look forward to her connecting with an all-new community of fans.” Show less

“Barbie” quickly became the highest-grossing film of the year, not to mention Warner Bros. history, a feat supported by Mattel’s legendary approach to its marketing. “[The film] drove a lot of momentum around the over 200 brands that Mattel owns,” said Mike DeLaet, Mattel’s global head of digital gaming. However, Mattel is pushing its IP through all mediums, including gaming. “Pre-movie we were already working on new projects,” adds DeLaet, referencing a forthcoming Barbie experience within the… Show more

“Barbie” quickly became the highest-grossing film of the year, not to mention Warner Bros. history, a feat supported by Mattel’s legendary approach to its marketing. “[The film] drove a lot of momentum around the over 200 brands that Mattel owns,” said Mike DeLaet, Mattel’s global head of digital gaming. However, Mattel is pushing its IP through all mediums, including gaming. “Pre-movie we were already working on new projects,” adds DeLaet, referencing a forthcoming Barbie experience within the Roblox platform. Beyond “Barbie,” “Hot Wheels Unleashed” is a venerable gaming experience on multiple platforms, with a sequel due in October. Likewise, Mattel’s “Masters of the Universe” character Skeletor will be playable in “Call of Duty” next month. Show less

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie officially surpassed The Super Mario Bros. Movie at the worldwide box office Saturday, according to Variety, becoming the world’s highest-grossing movie this year after more than a month in theaters.

A new Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged trailer has been released, showing off the upcoming game‘s crossover with the Fast & Furious franchise.

What is included in the Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged + Fast & Furious crossover?
When the title launches on October 19, players will be able to use Dominic Toretto’s Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody as a vehicle. Later on down the line, further vehicles from the Fast & Furious franchise will be added to the game as paid DLC.

Much like Candy Crush Saga and Stumble Guys, Rec Room has decided to try and make the most of Barbiemania. Starting today, you can celebrate the new movie by adorning your avatar with Barbie and Ken outfits that include a cowboy hat, vest, and belt. They are available in the in-game store now, with no word on how long they'll be available.

Discussing the collaboration, Mannat Sra, Head of Partnerships at Rec Room, said: “We are incredibly excited to partner with Mattel and bring the… Show more

Much like Candy Crush Saga and Stumble Guys, Rec Room has decided to try and make the most of Barbiemania. Starting today, you can celebrate the new movie by adorning your avatar with Barbie and Ken outfits that include a cowboy hat, vest, and belt. They are available in the in-game store now, with no word on how long they'll be available.

Discussing the collaboration, Mannat Sra, Head of Partnerships at Rec Room, said: “We are incredibly excited to partner with Mattel and bring the iconic Barbie brand to Rec Room.”

“The Barbie activation will provide our community with a fun experience, allowing them to embrace their creativity and bring the hot-pink-infused energy of Barbie to our community.” Show less

Stumblers - it’s time to strut your stuff! Starting in July, a gleaming new collaboration brings the magic of Barbie to the imaginative world of “Stumble Guys,” allowing players to channel their inner Barbie and take on the competition with unmatched style.

Candy Crush Saga Takes Players on a Summer Road Trip with Barbie in New & Exclusive In-Game Content

NEW YORK, July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Candy Crush Saga announced its newest (and pinkest) partnership with the most anticipated movie of the summer, BARBIE. On July 13, 2023, just days before the film hits theaters on the 21st, the brand will launch in-game BARBIE experiences that feature exclusive content accessible only to Candy Crush Saga players. Sweeeet.

It's getting harder to miss the arrival of the Barbie movie with mobile a prime promo target

This Barbie is a gamer! Together with Warner Bros. Pictures and Mattel, Xbox is excited to invite fans on a fun, fashionable, and inspirational ride this summer to celebrate the much-anticipated release of the new movie “Barbie,” premiering in theaters on July 21. Bringing Barbie’s signature flair to our gaming platform, we’re honoring all that there is to love about this iconic role model: her persevering optimism, wide-ranging career journey and never-ending capacity for self-discovery… Show more

This Barbie is a gamer! Together with Warner Bros. Pictures and Mattel, Xbox is excited to invite fans on a fun, fashionable, and inspirational ride this summer to celebrate the much-anticipated release of the new movie “Barbie,” premiering in theaters on July 21. Bringing Barbie’s signature flair to our gaming platform, we’re honoring all that there is to love about this iconic role model: her persevering optimism, wide-ranging career journey and never-ending capacity for self-discovery. Audiences of “Barbie” will follow the heroine to the furthest reaches of Barbie Land and beyond, and now fans can follow in her high-heeled footsteps with exclusive Forza Horizon 5 in-game content, an inspiring video about careers in gaming with a Barbie touch, the first ever Xbox Barbie dolls, and our most stylish custom Xbox hardware yet. Show less

StoryToys and Mattel have announced the iOS launch of Barbie Color Creations, which is also coming to Android devices on June 29th. The app introduces a burst of colour into children's lives as it encourages youngsters to express themselves through art.

In Barbie Color Creations, players can experiment with a virtual studio where they'll flex their creative muscles through colouring books, all while Barbie ‘Brooklyn’ Roberts narrates the app. It also features a variety of body sizes and… Show more

StoryToys and Mattel have announced the iOS launch of Barbie Color Creations, which is also coming to Android devices on June 29th. The app introduces a burst of colour into children's lives as it encourages youngsters to express themselves through art.

In Barbie Color Creations, players can experiment with a virtual studio where they'll flex their creative muscles through colouring books, all while Barbie ‘Brooklyn’ Roberts narrates the app. It also features a variety of body sizes and skin tones, as well as different abilities and backgrounds. Players can take on challenges including "Big City Big Dreams" and "You Can Be a Video Game Programmer" to earn rewards and prettify their studio.

"We're thrilled to partner with Mattel and launch Barbie Color Creations, which brings the iconic Barbie franchise to life in a thrilling new way," says Parisa Foster, CCO of StoryToys. "As a cross-generational and cultural icon representing empowerment and inclusivity, Barbie holds a special place in our hearts. We can't wait for fans all over the world to explore the app and unlock the full potential of their creativity!"

Speaking of creativity and learning, our list of the best educational games on Android might just be your cup of tea too!

"As one of the most recognizable brands on the planet, Barbie has brought joy to so many over the past several decades," says Mike DeLaet, Global Head of Digital Gaming at Mattel. "In partnership with StoryToys, we are thrilled to bring to life Barbie Color Creations, compatible with iPhone, iPad and Android devices - a fun and engaging new app for kids which celebrates this iconic property through the creative medium of colouring."

If you're eager to join in on all the fun, you can get do so by downloading the game on the iOS App Store. Android users won't have to wait too long either, as Barbie Color Creations will be out on Google Play on June 29th. Show less

After the worldwide success of the first chapter, we are incredibly excited to have finally announced Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged. And let me start with a promise to our community: we have read your comments, watched your streams, and seen your passion for the Hot Wheels brand unleashed through our game. Brace yourself because Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged will expand the arcade gameplay of its predecessor, adding even more thrilling action to the pack – with a lot of new… Show more

After the worldwide success of the first chapter, we are incredibly excited to have finally announced Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged. And let me start with a promise to our community: we have read your comments, watched your streams, and seen your passion for the Hot Wheels brand unleashed through our game. Brace yourself because Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged will expand the arcade gameplay of its predecessor, adding even more thrilling action to the pack – with a lot of new things to do.

This article cannot convey all the innovations of the game, so for now, I will focus on the three main elements that will most change your gaming experience: new gameplay mechanics, environments and terrains, and types of vehicles. Show less

PAWTUCKET, R.I., and EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – April 24, 2023 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) today announced that they have entered into multi-year licensing agreements to create co-branded toys and games from some of their most popular brands.
Hasbro will create Barbie branded Monopoly games launching in fall 2023. Mattel will produce Transformers branded UNO games, slated for release later this year, and Transformers branded Hot Wheels vehicles, set to debut in… Show more

PAWTUCKET, R.I., and EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – April 24, 2023 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) today announced that they have entered into multi-year licensing agreements to create co-branded toys and games from some of their most popular brands.
Hasbro will create Barbie branded Monopoly games launching in fall 2023. Mattel will produce Transformers branded UNO games, slated for release later this year, and Transformers branded Hot Wheels vehicles, set to debut in early 2024.

Hasbro and Mattel are launching this collaboration against the backdrop of two major theatrical releases this summer, with Hasbro’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts from Paramount on June 9, 2023, and Mattel’s Barbie from Warner Bros. on July 21, 2023. Show less

Theale, UK – 11 March, 2023 — Bringing the fun of the iconic Hot Wheels™ brand to all main gaming platforms, Hot Wheels Unleashed™ has been the most successful title in Milestone history. A year and a half since its launch, Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and Milestone, a leading global racing game developer, reveal data showcasing the game’s success.

Hot Wheels Unleashed has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and boasts more than 8 million players registered across different… Show more

Theale, UK – 11 March, 2023 — Bringing the fun of the iconic Hot Wheels™ brand to all main gaming platforms, Hot Wheels Unleashed™ has been the most successful title in Milestone history. A year and a half since its launch, Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and Milestone, a leading global racing game developer, reveal data showcasing the game’s success.

Hot Wheels Unleashed has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and boasts more than 8 million players registered across different platforms including Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation™ Plus collection. Users have collectively spent the equivalent of nearly 929 years playing the game.

Highly accessible yet full of advanced techniques, the action-packed arcade-style racing game allows Hot Wheels fans the opportunity to drift, boost, jump, and crash while choosing among 60+ vehicles and six different environments. Across all vehicle categories, the Hot Wheels® Twin Mill™ 2021 emerges as the most used car, being selected for over 20% of total races played.

“We are always excited to find great partners that help us bring Mattel’s brands to fans in all-new ways”, said Mike DeLaet, Global Head of Digital Gaming at Mattel. “Milestone has done a phenomenal job with Hot Wheels Unleashed, and we’re thrilled that the Hot Wheels community has loved the game as much as we loved creating it”. Show less

Savvy Games Group announced an agreement to acquire Scopely, a maker of mobile games including “Star Trek Fleet Command,” “Marvel Strike Force,” “Looney Tunes World of Mayhem,” “Scrabble Go” and “Yahtzee With Buddies,” in a deal valued at $4.9 billion.

Savvy, a games and esports company that is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, said the acquisition will “strengthen Savvy’s global position, whilst enabling Scopely to accelerate its growth and achievement of its��� Show more

Savvy Games Group announced an agreement to acquire Scopely, a maker of mobile games including “Star Trek Fleet Command,” “Marvel Strike Force,” “Looney Tunes World of Mayhem,” “Scrabble Go” and “Yahtzee With Buddies,” in a deal valued at $4.9 billion.

Savvy, a games and esports company that is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, said the acquisition will “strengthen Savvy’s global position, whilst enabling Scopely to accelerate its growth and achievement of its strategic objectives.” The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.

Scopely will be an “autonomous operating company” under the Savvy umbrella, joining other companies in its portfolio such as esports brand ESL FaceIt Group. Founded in 2011, L.A.-based Scopely had a $3.3 billion post-money valuation in 2020 after raising a $340 million funding round. Scopely’s valuation had climbed to $5.4 billion after it acquired GSN Games from Sony for $1 billion in 2021. Show less

Starting Today, Players Can Fire Up Classic and Reimagined Hot Wheels Cars in Hot Wheels: Rift Rally to Experience High-Velocity Mixed Reality Racing at Home

TROY, N.Y., March 31, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The future of racing is here! Velan Studios and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) today launched Hot Wheels: Rift Rally, a new mixed reality racing experience now available on the Apple App Store, Sony PlayStation 4 and Sony PlayStation 5. Leveraging Velan Studio’s patented RC mixed reality… Show more

Starting Today, Players Can Fire Up Classic and Reimagined Hot Wheels Cars in Hot Wheels: Rift Rally to Experience High-Velocity Mixed Reality Racing at Home

TROY, N.Y., March 31, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The future of racing is here! Velan Studios and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) today launched Hot Wheels: Rift Rally, a new mixed reality racing experience now available on the Apple App Store, Sony PlayStation 4 and Sony PlayStation 5. Leveraging Velan Studio’s patented RC mixed reality technology, Hot Wheels: Rift Rally offers an all-new kind of Hot Wheels® experience that blends the real world with over-the-top digital environments to transform players’ homes into high-speed raceways. Show less

The 12 nominees for 2023 are:

Age of Empires
Angry Birds
Barbie Fashion Designer
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Computer Space
FIFA International Soccer
GoldenEye 007
The Last of Us
NBA 2K
Quake
Wii Sports
Wizardry

Azerion Announces Collaboration Bringing Monster High™ Characters into Woozworld

The hottest toy cars are coming to Beach Buggy Racing 2 this month. Mattel is teaming up with game developer Vector Unit to host a Hot Wheels-themed event from March 10 to May 7 on the kart racing mobile game.

In Beach Buggy Racing 2, kids can compete against drivers from around the world on fun courses that feature landmarks, exciting themes, and creatures. As kids win more races, they can collect new cars and upgrade with Powerups.

Get behind the wheel and experience Hot Wheels like never before! Mattel, in partnership with Velan Studios, announced the reveal of Hot Wheels: Rift Rally, a new mixed reality racing experience coming to the App Store for iOS, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on March 14, 2023.

The experience puts players behind the wheel of their favorite Hot Wheels vehicles using the Chameleon RC car, which can digitally transform into more than 140 vehicle variations. This includes iconic Hot Wheels… Show more

Get behind the wheel and experience Hot Wheels like never before! Mattel, in partnership with Velan Studios, announced the reveal of Hot Wheels: Rift Rally, a new mixed reality racing experience coming to the App Store for iOS, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on March 14, 2023.

The experience puts players behind the wheel of their favorite Hot Wheels vehicles using the Chameleon RC car, which can digitally transform into more than 140 vehicle variations. This includes iconic Hot Wheels such as Twin Mill, Bone Shaker, Mach Speeder, Gotta Go, and more fan-favorites.

"Velan Studios' innovative game design and technology introduces a breakthrough play experience for Hot Wheels fans by transforming their home into the ultimate Hot Wheels track for their digital car collection.”
—Mike DeLaet, Global Head of Digital Gaming, Mattel.

“Hot Wheels: Rift Rally unlocks an exciting new kind of creative play for Hot Wheels fans by bridging physical and digital play in a way we’ve never seen before.”
—Chris Down, Chief Design Officer, Mattel.
Pre-orders are available now at www.riftrally.com. Show less

Velan Studios and Mattel Reveal Hot Wheels™: Rift Rally, a Mixed Reality Racing Experience Coming to iOS and PlayStation on March 14

Now Available for Pre-Order, Hot Wheels: Rift Rally Blends Physical and Digital Play So Players Can Create Their Ultimate Hot Wheels Race Track Right at Home

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The developers behind Rec Room have partnered up with Mattel for a new collaboration, bringing Masters Of The Universe to the game. Starting on December 15th and running all the way through January 15th, the game will offer up some lovely little additions for players on all platforms to access, as you can jump into the Rec Center and find both a photo booth and the MOTU pop-up shop. It is here where you will be able to dress up as one of three characters from the series as they have He-Man… Show more

The developers behind Rec Room have partnered up with Mattel for a new collaboration, bringing Masters Of The Universe to the game. Starting on December 15th and running all the way through January 15th, the game will offer up some lovely little additions for players on all platforms to access, as you can jump into the Rec Center and find both a photo booth and the MOTU pop-up shop. It is here where you will be able to dress up as one of three characters from the series as they have He-Man, Skeletor, and Teela, as well as being able to equip your own Power Sword. We have more info and a couple of quotes from both parties about his collab as it will launch on Thursday. Show less

Mattel, Inc. and Rec Room announced a partnership today bringing the iconic Masters of the Universe (MOTU) to Rec Room, the leading virtual world, games, and user-generated content platform. Starting December 13th through January 15th, Rec Room players on all platforms can head to the Rec Center to find a photobooth and the MOTU pop-up shop, where they can dress up as their favorite characters, He-Man, Skeletor, and Teela, and find out if they DO have the power by equipping their very own Power… Show more

Mattel, Inc. and Rec Room announced a partnership today bringing the iconic Masters of the Universe (MOTU) to Rec Room, the leading virtual world, games, and user-generated content platform. Starting December 13th through January 15th, Rec Room players on all platforms can head to the Rec Center to find a photobooth and the MOTU pop-up shop, where they can dress up as their favorite characters, He-Man, Skeletor, and Teela, and find out if they DO have the power by equipping their very own Power Sword!

Full avatar costumes for He-Man, Skeletor, and Teela will be available for purchase for a limited time from the pop-up shop in the Rec Center and from the Rec Room store through March 31st. Each costume is made of three unique pieces that will also be sold individually, such as He-Man’s hair, outfit, and bracelets, while players can also purchase a Power Sword for their avatar separately. Show less

Rec Room announced today it has partnered with Mattel to bring three Masters of the Universe characters to the VR platform. Starting on Thursday, players can outfit their avatars to look like Prince Adam of Eternia a.k.a. He-Man, memetic villain Keldor a.k.a. Skeletor, and Teela.

Today, Rec Room has announced yet another collaboration. This time the popular user-generated platform is bringing the Masters of the Universe its virtual world. It kicks off on Thursday, December 15th and will stick around until January 15th.

By heading to the Rec Center, you will find a photo booth and a Masters of the Universe-themed pop-up shop. Here you can cosplay as the likes of He-Man, Skeletor and Teela while testing your true strength by equipping the Power Sword.

The… Show more

Today, Rec Room has announced yet another collaboration. This time the popular user-generated platform is bringing the Masters of the Universe its virtual world. It kicks off on Thursday, December 15th and will stick around until January 15th.

By heading to the Rec Center, you will find a photo booth and a Masters of the Universe-themed pop-up shop. Here you can cosplay as the likes of He-Man, Skeletor and Teela while testing your true strength by equipping the Power Sword.

The full avatar costumes for these characters will be available in the Rec Room store until March 31st, giving you plenty of time to decide if you want to pick them up. However, if you only want a certain part of the outfit, each costume comes in three parts which you can purchase individually.

Once you've snagged your new avatar threads, you might want to take advantage of the Masters of the Universe photo opp. You can snap a selfie with Teela, He-Man and Skeletor as Castle Greyskull sits in the background. On top of that, wearing certain outfit combos will result in the three characters providing words of encouragement or evil statements. Show less

Developer Scopely is announcing a new partnership for its obstacle course based battle royale Stumble Guys. Famous toymaker Mattel’s Hot Wheels is joining in the chaotic fun. Starting soon, stumblers will be able to jump into a car and race around the track in style.

Collect the HeMan’s Sword of Power and Skeletor’s magical Havoc Staff in The Power of Beanskull Event – and earn goodies… But earn what you may ask? Take a look:

“I have the Power!” Nickname - 100 Points
200 Kudos - 200 Points
“The Power of Grayskull” Nameplate - 500 Points
“Alpha and Omega” Pattern - 700 Points
“Prince of Eternia” Wearable - 1000 Points

Cryptoys and Mattel have brought together its forces in sharing the initial release of the upcoming Masters of the Universe digital toy series.

With the Masters of the Universe (MOTU) franchise celebrating its 40th anniversary today, Cryptoys and Mattel have unveiled the next three waves of MOTU’s first digital toy drops.

Spanning from this November through January 2023, Cryptoys’s new NFT platform for toys, gaming, and entertainment will bring Mattel and MOTU’s fan-favorite… Show more

Cryptoys and Mattel have brought together its forces in sharing the initial release of the upcoming Masters of the Universe digital toy series.

With the Masters of the Universe (MOTU) franchise celebrating its 40th anniversary today, Cryptoys and Mattel have unveiled the next three waves of MOTU’s first digital toy drops.

Spanning from this November through January 2023, Cryptoys’s new NFT platform for toys, gaming, and entertainment will bring Mattel and MOTU’s fan-favorite characters into the metaverse with 12 limited edition digitalized action figures. Show less

Mattel has announced the appointment of Mike DeLaet to its team, where he will act as global head of digital gaming.

DeLaet brings more than two decades of experience to the role, having previously acted as SVP of developer partnerships at Scopely. In 2017 he founded Rogue Games Inc., where he acted as CEO until 2020. In his new role DeLaet will oversee Mattel’s digital gaming portfolio across all major platforms, including licensing and self-publishing, as well as further Mattel163 –… Show more

Mattel has announced the appointment of Mike DeLaet to its team, where he will act as global head of digital gaming.

DeLaet brings more than two decades of experience to the role, having previously acted as SVP of developer partnerships at Scopely. In 2017 he founded Rogue Games Inc., where he acted as CEO until 2020. In his new role DeLaet will oversee Mattel’s digital gaming portfolio across all major platforms, including licensing and self-publishing, as well as further Mattel163 – Mattel’s joint venture partnership with NetEase.

"After two exciting years at Scopely, I’ve decided to take on a new adventure. I’ve had a fantastic Scopely experience working with some of the most talented people in games, and I am so proud that I had the opportunity to help build one of the largest mobile-first game brands in the world," said DeLaet. Show less

Mattel Appoints Mike DeLaet as Global Head of Digital Gaming

Mattel has poached a big one. Former Scopely executive and gaming industry veteran Mike DeLaet will join the El Segundo-based toy giant as its global head of digital gaming next week.

DeLaet officially joins Mattel July 25. In his new role he'll be responsible for leading Mattel’s renewed push into digital gaming (read: not hardware or physical games, most likely), including licensing the company’s beloved characters and self-publishing video games.

DeLaet’s been in the gaming… Show more

Mattel has poached a big one. Former Scopely executive and gaming industry veteran Mike DeLaet will join the El Segundo-based toy giant as its global head of digital gaming next week.

DeLaet officially joins Mattel July 25. In his new role he'll be responsible for leading Mattel’s renewed push into digital gaming (read: not hardware or physical games, most likely), including licensing the company’s beloved characters and self-publishing video games.

DeLaet’s been in the gaming industry for over two decades. He got his start managing Sprint’s gaming business long before it was folded into T-Mobile. Before working at Scopely as senior vice president of strategic partnerships, DeLaet founded Los Angeles-based indie developer Rogue Games, which last year inked a partnership to bring its games to Netflix. The streamer has its own ambitions for conquering the mobile gaming sector — and squeezing more value out of its IP — through game development. Netflix has garnered over 13 million downloads across 24 mobile titles so far, led by two “Stranger Things” games. Show less

Mattel announced today that it's hired Mike DeLaet as global head of digital gaming.

In his new role, he will oversee the company's partnership with NetEase, Mattel163.

The publisher also said that he will be responsible for accelerating its digital gaming product offerings.

Throughout DeLaet's over 20-year career in the games industry, he's served in multiple positions such as publishing, management, and licensing.

Mattel named Mike DeLaet, former senior vice president of strategic partnerships at Scopely, as global head of digital gaming.

Effective July 25, DeLaet will bring more than two decades of gaming expertise to Mattel. In his role, DeLaet will be responsible for accelerating Mattel’s digital gaming product offering across all major gaming platforms, including licensing, self-publishing, and Web3. He will also oversee Mattel’s joint venture partnership with NetEase called Mattel163.

Scopely revealed its new mobile game, a medieval fantasy title called Kingdom Maker. The free-to-play game is an RTS/RPG/MMO hybrid, and it launches today on the App Store and Google Play.

Kingdom Maker is a stylized fantasy world in which players attempt to build their kingdoms through combat, conquest, and diplomacy. Players will have noble families under their command who “can be used for combat, dungeon exploration, romance, and mischief.” They can partake of city building, or just… Show more

Scopely revealed its new mobile game, a medieval fantasy title called Kingdom Maker. The free-to-play game is an RTS/RPG/MMO hybrid, and it launches today on the App Store and Google Play.

Kingdom Maker is a stylized fantasy world in which players attempt to build their kingdoms through combat, conquest, and diplomacy. Players will have noble families under their command who “can be used for combat, dungeon exploration, romance, and mischief.” They can partake of city building, or just go on a crusade in real-time battles with customizable armies. Show less

'Kingdom Maker' is a massively multiplayer game combining real-time strategy, role play and simulation.

Mobile games company Scopely on Thursday revealed the new free-to-play game Kingdom Maker.

The massively multiplayer game, an original IP that combines real-time strategy, role play and simulation, was developed by Global Worldwide in partnership with Scopely. The immersive experience offers a medieval adventure with player-driven narratives — such as establishing royal lineage… Show more

'Kingdom Maker' is a massively multiplayer game combining real-time strategy, role play and simulation.

Mobile games company Scopely on Thursday revealed the new free-to-play game Kingdom Maker.

The massively multiplayer game, an original IP that combines real-time strategy, role play and simulation, was developed by Global Worldwide in partnership with Scopely. The immersive experience offers a medieval adventure with player-driven narratives — such as establishing royal lineage and forming alliances — and real-time combat as users defend their city and expand their empire.

“It’s not often that you come across a game experience that offers a completely new spin on how and why we play, and ‘Kingdom Maker’ is just that,” said Steve Huff, president, games at Scopely. “The game is a refreshing take on 4X and an excellent complement to our diverse portfolio of engaging, dynamic titles. The original world within ‘Kingdom Maker’ brings a sense of humor to the strategy genre, enables an unrivaled degree of personalization, and delivers deviously exhilarating medieval fun to players everywhere. As a deeply social experience with expansive possibilities, the game is designed to evolve with players for years to come.” Show less

Sony Pictures Entertainment announced a deal to sell GSN Games, a division of Game Show Network, to mobile-games company Scopely for about $1 billion in cash and stock.

GSN Games’s portfolio of free-to-play mobile and online games includes “Solitaire TriPeaks,” “Bingo Bash” and “Wheel of Fortune Slots.” Scopely will pay half the $1 billion purchase price in cash and the remainder in preferred equity, which will give SPE with a minority interest in Scopely. The deal is subject to… Show more

Sony Pictures Entertainment announced a deal to sell GSN Games, a division of Game Show Network, to mobile-games company Scopely for about $1 billion in cash and stock.

GSN Games’s portfolio of free-to-play mobile and online games includes “Solitaire TriPeaks,” “Bingo Bash” and “Wheel of Fortune Slots.” Scopely will pay half the $1 billion purchase price in cash and the remainder in preferred equity, which will give SPE with a minority interest in Scopely. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other usual closing conditions. Show less

Scopely is taking its hit mobile game Star Trek: Fleet Command to the PC as part of a new cross-platform strategy.

That’s a big deal for Scopely, which has grown to a multibillion-dollar valuation on the strength of its mobile games, as it is Scopely’s first PC game. It will be available as a direct download.

Scopely #5

HQ: US
Key Games: Marvel Strike Force, Yahtzee with Buddies, Star Trek Fleet Command
Sales: Not disclosed
M&A: Genjoy

Often when companies close a Series E funding round it means they're in trouble and looking for cash to pivot.

That's far from the case with Scopely. It's just raised $340 million from a series of investors desperate to buy into a fast-growing company, which is now valued at $3.3 billion.

In turn, Scopely is not sitting on its cash… Show more

Scopely #5

HQ: US
Key Games: Marvel Strike Force, Yahtzee with Buddies, Star Trek Fleet Command
Sales: Not disclosed
M&A: Genjoy

Often when companies close a Series E funding round it means they're in trouble and looking for cash to pivot.

That's far from the case with Scopely. It's just raised $340 million from a series of investors desperate to buy into a fast-growing company, which is now valued at $3.3 billion.

In turn, Scopely is not sitting on its cash pile. It's already invested a total of $50 million into Omnidrone, Pixel Toys and Tag Games, which are working on midcore and strategy games it will publish.

More generally, however, one of the striking things about Scopely is its ability to find success across multiple genres, typically by leveraging external IP.

It started out casual with games such as Dice With Buddies before gaining its first big hit with Yahtzee with Buddies. It now also operates Scrabble GO and Wheel of Fortune: Free Play.

On the other side of balance are mobile games such as The Walking Dead: Road to Survival and Star Trek Fleet Command, which enable higher levels of monetisation per user.

But the most significant moment for Scopely’s current level of success was its ability to acquire Marvel Strike Force. The title has excelled in the hands of Scopely, making it into the top mobile RPG in the US. Show less

The Games Fund (TGF), an early-stage VC fund focused on the games industry, announced today its second round of financing with $17 million raised from gaming leaders such as Scopely and Com2us.

The Games Fund has added $17 million in funding to its game investment coffers, thanks to new support from mobile gaming companies Scopely and Com2Us.

Scopely has invested $50 million in three European mobile game studios: Omnidrone, Pixel Toys, and Tag Games. These strategic investments support long-term commitments to co-create games, and it builds on Scopely’s strategy of partnering with talented mobile game makers and bringing their work to the widest audiences.

The Los Angeles-based Scopely is no stranger to big deals. In October, the company raised $340 million at a $3.3 billion valuation, and the company is often considered to… Show more

Scopely has invested $50 million in three European mobile game studios: Omnidrone, Pixel Toys, and Tag Games. These strategic investments support long-term commitments to co-create games, and it builds on Scopely’s strategy of partnering with talented mobile game makers and bringing their work to the widest audiences.

The Los Angeles-based Scopely is no stranger to big deals. In October, the company raised $340 million at a $3.3 billion valuation, and the company is often considered to be positioning itself for an initial public offering. It also acquired FoxNext Games in January 2020. Sometimes, its investments lead to acquisitions. Show less

Scopely announced Friday that Los Angeles Lakers and Space Jam: A New Legacy star LeBron James is being added to the popular mobile game Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem.

Blockchain gaming outfit Animoca Brands has announced another $50 million of funding.

Nothing highlights the velocity of an investment opportunity than a company having to reopen a closed funding round because of additional interest, and that's what exactly happened here.

This follows the company's 'meme round' of $88,888,888 from May this year, which valued the company at $1 billion, with this latest funding also set at the same valuation.

Investors in this second tranche… Show more

Blockchain gaming outfit Animoca Brands has announced another $50 million of funding.

Nothing highlights the velocity of an investment opportunity than a company having to reopen a closed funding round because of additional interest, and that's what exactly happened here.

This follows the company's 'meme round' of $88,888,888 from May this year, which valued the company at $1 billion, with this latest funding also set at the same valuation.

Investors in this second tranche included mobile game developer Scopely, the corporate venture arm of Razer (ZVentures) as well as VCs such as Blue Pool Capital, Coinbase Ventures, Samsung Venture Investment Corporation and Korea Investment Partners. Show less

Mobile game publisher Scopely added two new board members — initial public offering adviser Marcie Vu and former Activision Blizzard president Coddy Johnson. You could say this is a sign that Scopely is preparing for going public, though the company itself isn’t specifically saying that yet.

Vu is a former executive at Qatalyst and Morgan Stanley, where she was an adviser on numerous IPOs for companies such as Alibaba.com, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, and Zynga. Johnson was the No. 2… Show more

Mobile game publisher Scopely added two new board members — initial public offering adviser Marcie Vu and former Activision Blizzard president Coddy Johnson. You could say this is a sign that Scopely is preparing for going public, though the company itself isn’t specifically saying that yet.

Vu is a former executive at Qatalyst and Morgan Stanley, where she was an adviser on numerous IPOs for companies such as Alibaba.com, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, and Zynga. Johnson was the No. 2 executive at Activision Blizzard, which has $8 billion in revenues and a market value of $74 billion. Johnson has a lot of experience leading one of the largest gaming companies in the world, and Scopely said it is sending an important signal to the industry as it cements its position as a leading private gaming company gearing up for this next stage of growth. Show less

During a panel for SXSW this week, Veronica Hart, EVP of Global Franchise Planning & Operators, Consumer Products at ViacomCBS, and Mike DeLaet, SVP of Strategic Partnerships at Scopely, discussed the partnership between their companies and the future of Star Trek mobile gaming.

Last year Scopely, the gaming company behind Star Trek Fleet Command, announced that they were partnering with ViacomCBS so they could license the entire breadth of the Star Trek universe for their games… Show more

During a panel for SXSW this week, Veronica Hart, EVP of Global Franchise Planning & Operators, Consumer Products at ViacomCBS, and Mike DeLaet, SVP of Strategic Partnerships at Scopely, discussed the partnership between their companies and the future of Star Trek mobile gaming.

Last year Scopely, the gaming company behind Star Trek Fleet Command, announced that they were partnering with ViacomCBS so they could license the entire breadth of the Star Trek universe for their games. Previously, Scopely was only able to create content focusing on the Kelvin Timeline — the timeline created by the J.J. Abrams Star Trek movies. Though the game was wildly successful while focusing only on the Kelvin timeline, not being able to access other Star Trek properties left only so much room for expansion. Show less

Scopely, a Culver-City based mobile publisher, both makes and acquires multiplayer games. "Marvel Strike Force," which it bought from Walt Disney Co. in January, is its biggest earner. "We will close the year above $900 million in revenue, nearly double the revenue of 2019," Scopely's head of strategic partnerships Mike DeLaet told dot.LA.

In a move to shore up institutional support in what’s likely to be it’s last fundraising as a private company, the Los Angeles-based mobile gaming behemoth Scopely has raised $340 million in its latest eye-popping round of funding.

Fans of "Star Trek Fleet Command" can now play characters from every timeline in the popular science fiction franchise's universe.

The "Star Trek" mobile game will have new content spanning series from the 1960s to the present day, from "Star Trek: The Original Series" (TOS) all the way up to the modern-day "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Star Trek: Picard," according to developer Scopely and ViacomCBS Consumer Products.

Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé has been appointed as strategic advisor to the board of directors at LA-based publisher Rogue Games.

Publisher Rogue Games is bringing on former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime as a strategic advisor as they move to console gaming.

Mobile games firm Scopely has hired Mike DeLaet as its new senior vice president for strategic partnerships.

DeLaet's new role will involve him overseeing partnerships, licensing, platform relationships and business development. Previously, he founded and served as the CEO of Rogue Games, a publisher based in Los Angeles.

Across his 15-year career, DeLaet held roles at various companies. He served as the senior vice president of worldwide business development and licensing for… Show more

Mobile games firm Scopely has hired Mike DeLaet as its new senior vice president for strategic partnerships.

DeLaet's new role will involve him overseeing partnerships, licensing, platform relationships and business development. Previously, he founded and served as the CEO of Rogue Games, a publisher based in Los Angeles.

Across his 15-year career, DeLaet held roles at various companies. He served as the senior vice president of worldwide business development and licensing for Kabam. Before that, he worked for Glu Mobile, where he held the senior vice president of global publishing role.

"It's an incredibly exciting time to join Scopely. The company has big ambitions with high calibre new projects in the pipeline, and their ability to grow and sustain franchises that have been around for years is equally impressive. I've also admired their approach to development partnerships and am excited to help scale their studio ecosystem even further," said DeLaet.

On the rise

"As we continue to scale as a business, we have been looking for an experienced leader to further expand and take our developer, IP, and platform partnerships to the next level," said Scopely chief revenue officer Tim O'Brien.

"Mike brings tremendous expertise, deep knowledge in mobile games, and an entrepreneurial mindset that is the perfect combination for Scopely. We are thrilled he chose to join us on the Scopely adventure."

Rogue Games has undergone its own shakeup as a result of DeLaet's departure, with former chief strategy officer Matt Casamassina taking the reins as CEO. It has also recently added Jack Tretton as a strategic advisor. Show less

A note from Scopely Chief Revenue Officer, Tim O’Brien:

I’m thrilled to share an important update regarding our Scopely Publishing organization.

As we continue to scale as a business, we have been actively looking to bring on an experienced leader to drive, expand and take our developer, IP and platform partnerships to the next level. We are thrilled to share that we have hired Mike DeLaet as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships to lead these efforts.

Mike… Show more

A note from Scopely Chief Revenue Officer, Tim O’Brien:

I’m thrilled to share an important update regarding our Scopely Publishing organization.

As we continue to scale as a business, we have been actively looking to bring on an experienced leader to drive, expand and take our developer, IP and platform partnerships to the next level. We are thrilled to share that we have hired Mike DeLaet as Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships to lead these efforts.

Mike brings tremendous expertise, deep knowledge in mobile games and an entrepreneurial mindset that is the perfect combination for Scopely. He is extremely well respected in games, and we are thrilled to have him on the team. Show less

It’s not every day that you see a game publisher CEO quit to take a job as a senior vice president at another company. But that’s what Mike DeLaet did as he left Rogue Games to be head of strategic partnerships at Scopely.

Appointment Signals Company’s Commitment to Cross-Platform Gaming and Expansion to Console and PC Platforms

Rogue Games, Inc., a leading digital games publisher, today announced the appointment of Jack Tretton, former President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, to the role of strategic advisor as Rogue Games continues to expand its games publishing business to next-generation consoles arriving later this year. Jack brings his experience at Sony, where he led the PlayStation… Show more

Appointment Signals Company’s Commitment to Cross-Platform Gaming and Expansion to Console and PC Platforms

Rogue Games, Inc., a leading digital games publisher, today announced the appointment of Jack Tretton, former President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, to the role of strategic advisor as Rogue Games continues to expand its games publishing business to next-generation consoles arriving later this year. Jack brings his experience at Sony, where he led the PlayStation business for two decades, to Rogue, where he will serve as a strategic advisor to the board of directors, which currently includes Matt Casamassina, Chris Carvalho, Dmitry Grishin, and Andre Bliznyuk. Show less

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rogue Games, Inc., a leading digital games publisher, today announced the appointment of Jack Tretton, former President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, to the role of strategic advisor as Rogue Games continues to expand its games publishing business to next-generation consoles arriving later this year. Jack brings his experience at Sony, where he led the PlayStation business for two decades, to Rogue, where he will serve as a strategic advisor to… Show more

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rogue Games, Inc., a leading digital games publisher, today announced the appointment of Jack Tretton, former President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, to the role of strategic advisor as Rogue Games continues to expand its games publishing business to next-generation consoles arriving later this year. Jack brings his experience at Sony, where he led the PlayStation business for two decades, to Rogue, where he will serve as a strategic advisor to the board of directors, which currently includes Matt Casamassina, Chris Carvalho, Dmitry Grishin, and Andre Bliznyuk. Show less

Former Sony Computer Entertainment America president and CEO Jack Tretton has joined Rogue Games as a strategic advisor.

Tretton will help the company to make the adjustment to publishing games for the next-generation. Last month, Rogue Games revealed it had raised $2 million to expand into console titles.

"Every 5-7 years the console games industry is fueled by fresh innovation and new technology that will power the next generation of interactive game experiences," said… Show more

Former Sony Computer Entertainment America president and CEO Jack Tretton has joined Rogue Games as a strategic advisor.

Tretton will help the company to make the adjustment to publishing games for the next-generation. Last month, Rogue Games revealed it had raised $2 million to expand into console titles.

"Every 5-7 years the console games industry is fueled by fresh innovation and new technology that will power the next generation of interactive game experiences," said Tretton."Traditionally the console platforms have been dominated by large publishers like Activision or EA. However, Rogue has repeatedly proven to me how impactful a smaller and more nimble publisher can be as a leader on new platforms and games services." Show less

Rogue Games announced that Matt Casamassina has taken over as CEO of the indie game publisher after the departure of Mike DeLaet, who left to pursue another opportunity. Previously chief strategy officer at Rogue, Casamassina cofounded the company with former CEO DeLaet in 2017 to bring a new kind of publisher to serve indie and mid-size developers.

Casamassina said in an interview with GamesBeat that the transition will happen smoothly, and the company has additional talent to step into… Show more

Rogue Games announced that Matt Casamassina has taken over as CEO of the indie game publisher after the departure of Mike DeLaet, who left to pursue another opportunity. Previously chief strategy officer at Rogue, Casamassina cofounded the company with former CEO DeLaet in 2017 to bring a new kind of publisher to serve indie and mid-size developers.

Casamassina said in an interview with GamesBeat that the transition will happen smoothly, and the company has additional talent to step into key roles. Bryan Buskas, formerly VP of marketing, will step into a new role as chief operating officer, and former studio head and VP of production Chris Archer will become chief strategy officer. Show less

Radical Forge and Rogue Games' Bright Paw is an upcoming narrative-driven puzzler that's heading for Android as a premium title alongside Google Play Pass. Players will take on the role of Theo, the cat of a stereotypical British supervillain who has been murdered.

It follows his journey to solve the case, which will be narrated every step of the way by an omnipotent British chap, who you can hear in the trailer below. The plot is set to take several unpredictable twists and turns as you… Show more

Radical Forge and Rogue Games' Bright Paw is an upcoming narrative-driven puzzler that's heading for Android as a premium title alongside Google Play Pass. Players will take on the role of Theo, the cat of a stereotypical British supervillain who has been murdered.

It follows his journey to solve the case, which will be narrated every step of the way by an omnipotent British chap, who you can hear in the trailer below. The plot is set to take several unpredictable twists and turns as you inch closer to solving the murder of your owner. Show less

Outsider is a neat sci-fi horror puzzler from Rogue Games and Once a Bird that's heading towards launch for Android and Google Play Pass, with an iOS version potentially set to follow.

Mankind has mysteriously gone extinct, and after a brief intro cutscene, we open on someone's skeletal remains. It appears to be the case that they've attempted to hook their mind up to a robot, though the process remains very much incomplete.

Rogue Games is launching five new games soon for the Google Play Pass mobile game subscription service.

The games include Outsider, The Arcade, Bright Paw, Olo Loco, and Super Glitch Dash. They’re the first titles by Rogue to debut on the new Google service which curates a collection of games and apps for Android players. And it comes after Rogue launched other titles for the competing Apple Arcade service.

Super Glitch Dash is a follow-up to one of the best runners in years, developer David Marquardt and publisher Rogue Games' Glitch Dash. The big news today is that it's set to arrive this summer as a premium title available at launch on Android and Google Play Pass.

Nosebleed Interactive and Rogue Games' The Arcade is a stylish celebration of coin-op arcade classics that's heading straight for an Android and Google Play Pass launch this summer.

While it'll no doubt appeal to those looking for a comfy nostalgia trip, it's also very much a Nosebleed Interactive game, meaning that you should expect no shortage of good-humoured strangeness and creativity.

On Friday, Rogue Games announced that it raised $2 million in an investment round led by Runa Capital. This brings the video game publishing company’s total funding raised to $3.4 million since it was founded in 2018.

Pinata Punishers is a new idle clicker from Rogue Games and Gunstone Studios that I've already spent way too much time with. I say this because idle clickers are a real video game vice of mine, one that I typically have to avoid at all costs.

They take me back to my time at school and university when I'd procrastinate endlessly by mindlessly tapping or clicking away, mostly just before an essay was due or an exam loomed on the horizon. And just when I thought I was out, Pinata Punishers… Show more

Pinata Punishers is a new idle clicker from Rogue Games and Gunstone Studios that I've already spent way too much time with. I say this because idle clickers are a real video game vice of mine, one that I typically have to avoid at all costs.

They take me back to my time at school and university when I'd procrastinate endlessly by mindlessly tapping or clicking away, mostly just before an essay was due or an exam loomed on the horizon. And just when I thought I was out, Pinata Punishers has gone and pulled me back in. Show less

Digital games publisher Rogue Games is launching Knockdown Heroes, a new free-to-play mobile strategy game, on iOS and Android.

The title from Czech Republic-based studio Craneballs mixes top-down one-on-one, player-versus-player arena-battling action with medieval hero card-based collecting in a fight for survival.

LOS ANGELES – November 6, 2019 -- Rogue Games, a leading game publisher has entered into an agreement with Super Evil Megacorp, an award-winning creator of category-defining multiplayer experiences, to become the publisher of record for the popular game Vainglory.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rogue Games, a leading game publisher has entered into an agreement with Super Evil Megacorp, an award-winning creator of category-defining multiplayer experiences, to become the publisher of record for the popular game Vainglory.

California-based developer Super Evil Megacorp has raised $10.5 million after closing a round of funding.

Funding was led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.

The finance raised will go toward a new game that has been in development for 18 months, code-named Project Spellfire.

Rogue Games will take over from Vainglory as its publisher as well as live ops, with a 2020 release date cited.

As Super Evil Megacorp gears up for its new launch, it will also be passing publishing responsibilities for Vainglory to Rogue Games, which will head up live ops and content creation for the ongoing MOBA.

San Mateo, California-based Super Evil Megacorp is announcing its next game, code-named Project Spellfire. It has been in the works for the past 18 months. CEO Kristian Segerstrale said in an interview with GamesBeat that Spellfire will launch in 2020 and Rogue Games will take over Vainglory as its publisher.

At some point in the future, humanity gets a bit bored with having people race on tarmac. Instead, they’re dumped inside metal balls and hurled along terrifying roller-coaster tracks that twist and whirl through space.

Initially, your aim is merely to keep on the impossible road – either for as long as you can, or in the time gate mode until the clock runs down. But then there are the races, whereupon one other cunning tactic comes into play: cheating.

In Super Impossible Road… Show more

At some point in the future, humanity gets a bit bored with having people race on tarmac. Instead, they’re dumped inside metal balls and hurled along terrifying roller-coaster tracks that twist and whirl through space.

Initially, your aim is merely to keep on the impossible road – either for as long as you can, or in the time gate mode until the clock runs down. But then there are the races, whereupon one other cunning tactic comes into play: cheating.

In Super Impossible Road, you can leap off of the track and rejoin later, sneakily getting ahead of your opponents. Only if you miss, you’ll end up back at a restart point, with a bruised ego and ground to make up.

This one’s tricky to master, but a dizzying thrill-ride once it clicks. And multiple modes, tracks, and vehicles should keep you playing for the long term. Show less

Mind Symphony promises to "emotionally and mentally impact you", but we don't know much about this game, besides the fact that gameplay will sync with the music and play a little like a bullet-hell shoot-em-up. In Release Mode, enemy attacks synchronize with the soundtrack. Meanwhile, Calm Mode focuses more on the melody for timing your attacks -- and presumably making things a little easier.

I think I remember that Popcap once had a rule about hexes. Never use hexes in a casual game, the rule went (and let's agree not to unpick that term casual at the moment), because hexes are the absolute opposite of casual. Games that have hexes are about war and history and tactics and placement. No hexes in Peggle!

And yet here's Hexaflip, an Apple Arcade game that is simple and thrilling and wonderfully challenging. Hexaflip is a brisk and breezy joy. You can learn to play it in… Show more

I think I remember that Popcap once had a rule about hexes. Never use hexes in a casual game, the rule went (and let's agree not to unpick that term casual at the moment), because hexes are the absolute opposite of casual. Games that have hexes are about war and history and tactics and placement. No hexes in Peggle!

And yet here's Hexaflip, an Apple Arcade game that is simple and thrilling and wonderfully challenging. Hexaflip is a brisk and breezy joy. You can learn to play it in seconds and you will still be playing hours later. And there are hexes all over the place. Show less

Hexaflip is the second game to be published by Rogue Games for Apple Arcade, joining Super Impossible Road. So they're clearly a publisher that has some belief in Apple Arcade.

Hexaflip is a casual puzzle game that seems very simple. You'll play as a hexagon – somewhat unsurprisingly – and will have to navigate your way through various levels by flipping left or right into other hexagonal holes.

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 10, 2019 -- Rogue Games, a leading game publisher, today announced Super Impossible Road for Apple’s new Apple Arcade game subscription service on the App Store. With Apple Arcade, users get unlimited access to the entire catalog of over 100 new and exclusive games, all playable across iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Apple TV. Subscribers get the full version of every game including all updates and expansions, without any ads or additional in-game purchases. Super… Show more

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 10, 2019 -- Rogue Games, a leading game publisher, today announced Super Impossible Road for Apple’s new Apple Arcade game subscription service on the App Store. With Apple Arcade, users get unlimited access to the entire catalog of over 100 new and exclusive games, all playable across iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and Apple TV. Subscribers get the full version of every game including all updates and expansions, without any ads or additional in-game purchases. Super Impossible Road will available at launch through the service as part of the Apple Arcade subscription. Show less

Publisher Rogue Games today announced that the upcoming Super Impossible Road would be heading to Apple Arcade.

According to the U.S. publisher, the title is slated to launch on the subscription-based gaming service this month.

Super Impossible Road includes both a single-player career mode and online support, which allows eight players to play online together.

Rogue Games has said that the title will continue to receive support through the release of new tracks daily.

Groundbreaking Game Subscription Service Launches on the App Store for $4.99 per Month on September 19

We had a raucous but intelligent debate about video game hot topics at the recent GameDaily Connect event in Anaheim, California. Under the lights of the Disneyland Hotel, we held a panel discussion that touched on some of the most controversial topics with some loose cannon speakers.

I moderated a debate session that covered contemporary issues in the game business. Our panelists included Jim Ying, managing director, CVCapital; Michael Pachter, managing director for equity research at… Show more

We had a raucous but intelligent debate about video game hot topics at the recent GameDaily Connect event in Anaheim, California. Under the lights of the Disneyland Hotel, we held a panel discussion that touched on some of the most controversial topics with some loose cannon speakers.

I moderated a debate session that covered contemporary issues in the game business. Our panelists included Jim Ying, managing director, CVCapital; Michael Pachter, managing director for equity research at Wedbush Securities; Mike DeLaet, CEO of Rogue Games; Mike Futter, freelance journalist and GameDaily Connect contributor; and Stuart Drexler, CEO of Jago Studios. Show less

At this week’s GameDaily Connect USA in Disneyland, GamesBeat’s Dean Takahashi moderated a debate panel touching on some hot button topics such as loot boxes and video game addiction. Sitting in on the panel were GameDaily freelancer Mike Futter, Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter, Rogue Games CEO Mike DeLaet, Jago Studios CEO Stuart Drexler, and Jim Ying, Managing Director at CV Capital.

US publisher Rogue Games has appointed former Kabam COO Chris Carvalho to its board of directors.

He joins company co-founders Mike DeLaet and Matt Casamassina, and Mail.Ru founder Dmitry Grishin on the board.

Game publishing startup Rogue Games, which received a cash injection of $1.25 million from Grishin Robotics back in March, today announced that industry veteran Chris Carvalho has joined the company’s board of directors. Carvalho joins co-founders Mike DeLaet (CEO) and Matt Casamassina (chief strategy officer), as well as Grishin Robotics founder Dmitry Grishin, to give the team extra guidance on strategy as its plans for future growth.

Game publishing startup Rogue Games, which received a cash injection of $1.25 million from Grishin Robotics back in March, today announced that industry veteran Chris Carvalho has joined the company’s board of directors. Carvalho joins co-founders Mike DeLaet (CEO) and Matt Casamassina (chief strategy officer), as well as Grishin Robotics founder Dmitry Grishin, to give the team extra guidance on strategy as its plans for future growth.

LOS ANGELES, CA – August 26, 2019 -- Rogue Games, a leading game publisher, today announced that Chris Carvalho, digital media executive and former Kabam COO, has been appointed to its Board of Directors. Carvalho joins the company’s existing board members, Rogue Games co-founders, Mike DeLaet and Matt Casamassina, as well Dmitry Grishin, founder of Dmitry Grishin, the investment company that led Rogue Games’ $1.25M seed round in March of this year.

LOS ANGELES, CA – August 2, 2019 -- Rogue Games, a leading game publisher, today introduced the company’s new Business Development and Strategic Partnership team, comprised of games, publishing, and digital content industry veterans Megan Cawn and Levi Buchanan. The high-profile hires are part of Rogue’s planned growth, paid for by a $1.25M seed round secured earlier this year, as the company adds to its game portfolio and moves onto additional platforms.
Cawn will serve as director of… Show more

LOS ANGELES, CA – August 2, 2019 -- Rogue Games, a leading game publisher, today introduced the company’s new Business Development and Strategic Partnership team, comprised of games, publishing, and digital content industry veterans Megan Cawn and Levi Buchanan. The high-profile hires are part of Rogue’s planned growth, paid for by a $1.25M seed round secured earlier this year, as the company adds to its game portfolio and moves onto additional platforms.
Cawn will serve as director of Business Development and Platform Relationships, handling all the first-party relationships across the Rogue Games portfolio, including mobile, PC, console and emerging platforms. She will also manage day to day relationships with new and existing partner developers.
"Megan’s illustrious career spans pivotal roles at many forward-thinking entertainment juggernauts,” said Matt Casamassina, Rogue’s chief strategy officer. "She’s an industry vet with unparalleled experience and relationships, and we look forward to her insights and guidance as we grow Rogue into one of the largest and most trusted video game publishers in the world.” Show less

The mobile publisher and a company driving 'codeless' app development have teamed up to bring better early adoption rates and interactive ads to Rogue Games' portfolio.

US games publisher Rogue Games has expanded its team with a trio of hires in marketing, UA and game design.

Former Fisher & Paykel Appliances retail brand manager Jessica Keblesh has joined as UA marketing manager. She brings with her UA, media buying and marketing strategy expertise to the company, which plans to launch over 30 titles this year.

Jillian Bakos meanwhile has been appointed as marketing art manager and will form part of the firm’s content creation team. Prior to hew… Show more

US games publisher Rogue Games has expanded its team with a trio of hires in marketing, UA and game design.

Former Fisher & Paykel Appliances retail brand manager Jessica Keblesh has joined as UA marketing manager. She brings with her UA, media buying and marketing strategy expertise to the company, which plans to launch over 30 titles this year.

Jillian Bakos meanwhile has been appointed as marketing art manager and will form part of the firm’s content creation team. Prior to hew latest job, she worked as a concept artist at Akupara Games and as a game art intern at FoxNext.

Rounding out the new hires is ex-Carbonated systems designer Brendan Farrell. He’s joined the company as a game designer and will work with Rogue’s developer partners to ensure games are optimised for engagement and monetisation and provide a good user experience. Show less

LOS ANGELES, CA – July 19, 2019 -- Rogue Games, a leading game publisher, today announced that it has made three important additions to its team, hiring Jessica Keblesh as user acquisition marketing manager, Brendan Farrell as game designer, and Jillian Bakos in the role of marketing art manager. Earlier this year, Rogue secured $1.25 Million in seed funding to help grow the company and its portfolio of games.

Experienced industry veterans from Apple, Kabam, Glu Mobile, Sprint, IGN, and more have announced the formation of a new mobile publishing studio called Rogue.

Rogue is announcing today it has formed a new mobile game publishing label designed to help both large and small developers reach scale on all digital platforms.

The team is made up of talent from Apple, IGN, and Kabam.

A group of industry veterans have assembled to form Rogue, a new game publishing label that will focus on mobile games. The mobile market is notoriously difficult to navigate, but given the collective experience of the team, Rogue appears to be well-equipped for the challenge.

"Apple's improvements to iOS 6 make significant strides in offering users a frictionless, seamless mobile experience. For example, free App downloads no longer require users to enter their iTunes password. Additionally, users have the ability to download new apps from within apps they are already using. This means that game developers like Glu can help users discover relevant content without redirecting them out of their current app experience. For example, users can discover Glu's Eternity… Show more

"Apple's improvements to iOS 6 make significant strides in offering users a frictionless, seamless mobile experience. For example, free App downloads no longer require users to enter their iTunes password. Additionally, users have the ability to download new apps from within apps they are already using. This means that game developers like Glu can help users discover relevant content without redirecting them out of their current app experience. For example, users can discover Glu's Eternity Warriors 2 while playing Bombshells: Hell's Belles, and then download the new game in the background without disrupting their play."

"As expected, the iPhone 5 offers a faster experience across the board. The faster CPU/GPU combination means that developers like Glu will be able to offer more immersive, high-production value gaming experiences. Developers will be able to achieve higher frame rates, sharper graphics and faster gameplay. The significant bump in memory should also improve overall game performance."

"The larger screen size on the iPhone 5 may be the most significant improvement for the purpose of increasing user engagement. We have seen that iPad gamers tend to play longer and take advantage of in-game purchases more frequently than previous iPhone's. With a larger screen size, we should see the overall engagement of iPhone gamers improve."

"We also expect to be able to provide an improved multiplayer experience on the iPhone 5, due largely in part to the added 4G LTE compatibility. Improved connection means that users will experience the same smooth gameplay they enjoy in single player modes."

Mike DeLaet, VP of Global Sales & Marketing, Glu Mobile Show less