Talk:Jam City (company)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Danilo Two (talk | contribs) at 16:26, 19 April 2021 (→‎Edit request: History: Follow up with IceWelder). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Edit request: History

Hello, I'd like to make a series of suggestions for edits to update this article. Disclosure: I am here with a financial conflict of interest on behalf of Jam City through my work with Beutler Ink.

First up, I have researched and written a new draft of the article's History section, which I placed in my userspace and below (you can also see a diff I made comparing it to the live version).

The live Jam City (company)#History section is essentially a list of acquisitions without much context on the growth and development of Jam City as a company. My draft keeps the most important parts of the live article's section, but I've also tried to offer a glimpse into Jam City's major growth milestones pertaining to funding, acquisitions, and games, which have been written about in independent third-party sources. You'll probably notice that my History draft includes some details that are currently in the Games section, such as the success of Cookie Jam and Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. That's because these games play a large role in the growth of Jam City, so it's important to see how they fit in with the company's history.

Proposed History
History

Jam City launched in 2010 when Austin Ventures and the startup's founders initially invested $28 million into Chris DeWolfe's business, Platform G.[1] Platform G acquired MindJolt and took its name.[2] The company acquired Social Gaming Network (or SGN) and Hallpass Media, which added mobile games to the company's portfolio.[3][4] The company was known as SGN from March 2012 to September 2016.[5][6] In June 2013, SGN acquired Mob Science, a Facebook games developer of "mid-core social games" and known for Legends: Rise of a Hero.[7] The company launched bubble shooter Panda Pop in 2013, which would later become one of the high-grossing mobile games.[8][9] Match-3 puzzle game Cookie Jam launched in 2014.[10] Cookie Jam was named Facebook's game of the year with more than 100 million downloads and 5 million active players at the time.[11][12] Cookie Jam was also among the 20 highest-grossing mobile games for Google Play and Apple's App Store.[13]

In the wake of Cookie Jam's success, South Korean mobile game company Netmarble invested $130 million in July 2015, becoming SGN's largest shareholder; this was one of the largest investments in mobile gaming since 2013.[14][15] By the time of Netmarble's investment, SGN games were downloaded 500 million times.[16]

Following Netmarble's investment, SGN acquired several companies, including TinyCo in July 2016.[17] With the TinyCo acquisition, SGN added 125 employees to its ranks, bringing its total number to about 400.[17][18] Mobile entertainment games that TinyCo had created included Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff and Marvel Avengers Academy.[19]

The company rebranded as Jam City, Inc. in 2016,[6] the same year Genies & Gems, a match-3 puzzle game, launched.[20]

Jam City's game library expanded in 2018. On April 25, 2018, Jam City released Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, a mobile game based on J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World franchise.[21] Within its first day, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery was ranked No. 1 on the App Store's free-to-play category and reached No. 10 on the list of top-grossing games across categories.[22] It was the fastest of Jam City's games to reach $100 million in revenue,[23] generating $110 million in its first year.[24] By October 2019, it had been downloaded 54.6 million times.[25] Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery was awarded Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game during the 2018 Dragon Awards.[26] The game was nominated for Best Breakthrough Game during the 2019 Google Play Awards.[27][28]

Jam City also bought Bingo Pop from Uken Games, expanding geographically into Toronto, Canada.[29][30] In addition to the mobile game, Jam City acquired Bingo Pop's intellectual property, management, and development team.[31] Also in 2018, Jam City and Disney reached a multi-year deal for Jam City to develop licensed games based on stories and characters from Disney and Pixar.[32] Jam City took over the game Disney Emoji Blitz.[32] Jam City's first new game under its deal with Disney was Frozen Adventures based on the Frozen and Frozen 2 films, which launched the next year.[32][33]

Jam City announced in January 2019 that it raised $145 million in funding from JPMorgan Chase Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and others to support Jam City’s acquisitions and global growth initiatives.[34][35] Jam City acquired Berlin-based studio 231 Play in April.[36] DeWolfe told GamesBeat that the acquisition of studios in Toronto and Berlin allowed Jam City to expand into more game genres, such as solitaire, mahjong, and bingo.[37] According to analytics provider Sensor Tower, solitaire, mahjong, and bingo games ranked among Jam City's top games, as of February 2021.[38]

By mid-2020, Jam City's valuation was estimated at greater than $2 billion.[39]
Markup

==History==

Jam City launched in 2010 when [[Austin Ventures]] and the startup's founders initially invested $28 million into Chris DeWolfe's business, Platform G.<ref name="Variety-2015">{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/sgn-netmarble-funding-mobile-games-1201546770/ |title=Mobile-Game Studio SGN Lands $130 Million from Korea’s Netmarble |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> Platform G acquired MindJolt and took its name.<ref name = "TechCrunch March2010">{{cite web |url= https://techcrunch.com/2010/03/03/chris-dewolfe-mindjolt-austin-ventures/ |title=Chris DeWolfe Makes His Move – Raises Big Round, Acquires Gaming Platform MindJolt |date=3 March 2010 |last=Arrington |first=Michael |website=[[TechCrunch]] |access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref> The company acquired Social Gaming Network (or SGN) and Hallpass Media, which added [[mobile game]]s to the company's portfolio.<ref name = "NYTimes April2011" >{{cite web |url= https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/a-myspace-founder-is-building-again-with-online-games/ |title=A Myspace Founder Builds Again, Buying Game Companies |date=18 April 2011 |last=Rusli |first=Evelyn M. |website=New York Times Dealbook |access-date=23 January 2017 }}</ref><ref name = "Forbes June2013">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorikozlowski/2013/06/12/the-science-of-social-games/#54899d866c16 |title=The Science of Social Games |date=12 June 2013 |last=Kozlowski |first=Lori |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref> The company was known as SGN from March 2012 to September 2016.<ref name = "TechCrunch March 2012">{{cite web |url= https://techcrunch.com/2012/03/02/mindjolt-becomes-social-gaming-network/ |title=MySpace Co-Founder Chris DeWolfe Explains SGN’s New Name, Multi-Platform Plans |date=2 March 2012 |last=Ha |first=Anthony |website=TechCrunch |access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref><ref name = "Variety September2016">{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/sgn-jam-city-peanuts-mobile-game-1201867364/ |title=SGN Changes Name to Jam City, Acquires Rights to Make ‘Peanuts’ Mobile Game |date=22 September 2016 |last=Spangler |first=Todd |website=Variety |publisher=Variety Media, LLC |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> In June 2013, SGN acquired Mob Science, a Facebook games developer of "mid-core social games" and known for ''Legends: Rise of a Hero''.<ref name = "AdWeek June2013">{{cite web |url=http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/social-gaming-network-mob-science/423171 |title=Social Gaming Network’s Acquisition Of Mob Science Continues Trend Away From Facebook-Only Social Games |date=17 June 2013 |last=M |first = Will |website=[[AdWeek]]: Social Times |access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref> The company launched bubble shooter ''Panda Pop'' in 2013, which would later become one of the high-grossing mobile games.<ref name=Pocketgamer 2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/66479/panda-pop-100-million-downloads/ |title=Jam City's Panda Pop clears 100 million downloads in under four years |date=August 25, 2017 |last=Cowley |first=Ric |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name="panda100m">{{cite news |title=Panda Pop passes 100 million users as Jam City readies for an IPO |last=Shieber |first=Jonathan |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/24/panda-pop-readies-jam-city-closeup/ |work=[[TechCrunch]] |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> Match-3 [[puzzle game]] ''Cookie Jam'' launched in 2014.<ref name="USA Today March 2014">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/03/24/cookie-jam-app-review/6824875/ |title='Cookie Jam': A tasty puzzle game with new twists |date=March 24, 2014 |last=Saltzman |first=Marc |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> ''Cookie Jam'' was named [[Facebook]]'s game of the year with more than 100 million downloads and 5 million active players at the time.<ref name="100 million">{{cite news |access-date=June 27, 2018 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/05/24/jam-citys-cookie-jam-hits-100-million-downloads-as-cookie-jam-blast-debuts |title=Jam City's Cookie Jam hits 100 million downloads as Cookie Jam Blast debuts |work=VentureBeat |location=San Francisco, CA |date=May 24, 2017 |author=Takahashi, Dean}}</ref><ref name="LATimes December 2014">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-cookie-jam-netease-20141216-story.html |title=Mobile game ‘Cookie Jam’ latest hit being exported to China |date=December 16, 2014 |last=Dave |first=Paresh |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> ''Cookie Jam'' was also among the 20 highest-grossing mobile games for [[Google Play]] and Apple's [[App Store]].<ref name="entrepreneur">{{cite news |title=Maker of 'Cookie Jam' Lands $130 Million Investment From Korea's Top Gaming Giant |last=Zipkin |first=Nina |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/248739 |work=[[Entrepreneur (magazine)]] |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref>

In the wake of ''Cookie Jam''{{'}}s success, South Korean mobile game company [[Netmarble]] invested $130 million in July 2015, becoming SGN's largest shareholder; this was one of the largest investments in mobile gaming since 2013.<ref name = "NYTimes July2015">{{cite news |title=Netmarble Takes Stake in SGN, Extending Asia’s Reach Into U.S. Mobile Games |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/23/technology/netmarble-takes-stake-in-sgn-extending-asias-reach-into-us-mobile-games.html?_r=1 |date=23 July 2015 |last=Zimmerman |first=Eilene |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=The New York Times Company |access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="FastCompany July2015">{{cite web |url= https://www.fastcompany.com/3048962/tech-forecast/why-this-mobile-game-company-raised-130-million |title=Why This Mobile Game Company Raised $130 Million |date=23 July 2015 |last=Ungerleider |first=Neal |website=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] |publisher=Mansueto Ventures, LLC |access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> By the time of Netmarble's investment, SGN games were downloaded 500 million times.<ref name="variety-netmarble">{{cite news |title=Mobile-Game Studio SGN Lands $130 Million from Korea’s Netmarble |last=Spangler |first=Todd |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/asia/sgn-netmarble-funding-mobile-games-1201546770/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)]] |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref>

Following Netmarble's investment, SGN acquired several companies, including [[TinyCo]] in July 2016.<ref name = "BizJournals July2016">{{cite web |url= http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/07/06/sgn-buys-startup-behind-marvel-family-guy-mobile.html |title=SGN buys startup behind Marvel, ‘Family Guy’ mobile games |date=6 July 2016 |last=Ellingson |first=Annlee |website=Biz Journals |publisher=American City Business Journals |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> With the TinyCo acquisition, SGN added 125 employees to its ranks, bringing its total number to about 400.<ref name = "BizJournals July2016"/><ref name = "Variety July2016">{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/sgn-tinyco-marvel-avengers-academy-1201809201/ |title=SGN Buys TinyCo, Maker of ‘Marvel Avengers Academy’ Mobile Game |date=6 July 2016 | last=Spangler |first=Todd |website=Variety |publisher=Variety Media, LLC |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> Mobile entertainment games that TinyCo had created included ''Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff'' and ''Marvel Avengers Academy''.<ref name = "AList July2016">{{cite web |url= http://www.alistdaily.com/strategy/sgn-talks-acquiring-tinyco-future-mobile-games-industry/ |title=SGN Talks About Acquiring TinyCo, Future Of Mobile Games Industry |date=7 July 2016 | last=Peterson |first=Steve |website=A List Daily |publisher=Ayzenberg |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref>

The company rebranded as Jam City, Inc. in 2016,<ref name = "Variety September2016">{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/sgn-jam-city-peanuts-mobile-game-1201867364/ |title=SGN Changes Name to Jam City, Acquires Rights to Make ‘Peanuts’ Mobile Game |date=22 September 2016 |last=Spangler |first=Todd |website=Variety |publisher=Variety Media, LLC |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> the same year ''Genies & Gems'', a match-3 puzzle game, launched.<ref name="VentureBeat April 2017">{{cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/04/25/how-jam-city-ceo-chris-dewolfe-sees-the-freakin-mobile-game-world/ |title=How Jam City CEO Chris DeWolfe sees the freakin’ mobile game world |date=April 25, 2017 |work=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref>

Jam City's game library expanded in 2018. On April 25, 2018, Jam City released ''[[Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery]]'', a mobile game based on J.K. Rowling's [[Wizarding World]] franchise.<ref name="VentureBeat April 2018">{{cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/26/harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-tops-apple-app-store-charts-a-day-after-launch/ |title=Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery tops Apple App Store charts a day after launch |last=Chan |first=Stephanie |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=April 26, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> Within its first day, ''Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery'' was ranked No. 1 on the App Store's free-to-play category and reached No. 10 on the list of top-grossing games across categories.<ref name="Hogwartsfirstday">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery tops Apple App Store charts a day after launch |last=Chan |first=Stephanie |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/26/harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-tops-apple-app-store-charts-a-day-after-launch/ |work=[[GamesBeat]] |date=April 26, 2018 |access-date=March 11, 2021}}</ref> It was the fastest of Jam City's games to reach $100 million in revenue,<ref name="145m">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter mobile game maker Jam City raises $145 million |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/16/harry-potter-mobile-game-maker-jam-city-raises-145-million/ |work=[[GamesBeat]] |date=January 16, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2021}}</ref> generating $110 million in its first year.<ref name="110m">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery grosses $110m in first year |last=Taylor |first=Haydn |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-03-14-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-grosses-usd110m-in-first-year |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |date=March 14, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2021}}</ref> By October 2019, it had been downloaded 54.6 million times.<ref name="Potterdownloads19">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery reaches $150m in revenue |last=Dealessandri |first=Marie |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-10-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-reaches-usd150m-in-revenue |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |date=October 10, 2019 |access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref> ''Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery'' was awarded Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game during the [[Dragon Awards#Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game|2018 Dragon Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamcity.com/2018-dragon-awards/|title=Jam City|website=jamcity.com}}</ref> The game was nominated for Best Breakthrough Game during the 2019 Google Play Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-26|title=2019 Google Play Awards nominees announced ahead of Google I/O|url=https://www.androidauthority.com/2019-google-play-awards-979976/|access-date=2021-01-27|website=Android Authority}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kerr|first=Chris|title=Marvel Strike Force and Shadowgun Legends honored at 2019 Google Play Awards|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/342193/Marvel_Strike_Force_and_Shadowgun_Legends_honored_at_2019_Google_Play_Awards.php|access-date=2021-01-27|website=gamasutra.com}}</ref>

Jam City also bought ''Bingo Pop'' from [[Uken Games]], expanding geographically into [[Toronto, Canada]].<ref name="VentureBeat-November 2018>{{cite news |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/28/jam-city-acquires-bingo-pop-maker-uken/ |title=Jam City acquires Bingo Pop maker from Uken |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref><ref name="TechCrunch-November 2018>{{cite news |last=Shieber |first=Jonathan |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/28/jam-city-is-setting-up-a-toronto-shop-by-buying-bingo-pop-from-uken-games/ |title=Jam City is setting up a Toronto shop by buying Bingo Pop from Uken Games |work=[[TechCrunch]] |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> In addition to the mobile game, Jam City acquired Bingo Pop's intellectual property, management, and development team.<ref name="LABJ-November 2018">{{cite news |last=Amore |first=Samson |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2018/nov/28/jam-city-acquires-bingo-pop-mobile-game/ |title=Jam City Acquires Bingo Pop Mobile Game |work=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]] |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> Also in 2018, Jam City and [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] reached a multi-year deal for Jam City to develop licensed games based on stories and characters from Disney and [[Pixar]].<ref name="Gamesindustry.biz November 2018">{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Haydn |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-11-14-jam-city-announces-multi-year-deal-with-disney |title=Jam City secures multi-year deal with Disney |work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> Jam City took over the game ''Disney Emoji Blitz''.<ref name="Gamesindustry.biz November 2018"/> Jam City's first new game under its deal with Disney was ''Frozen Adventures'' based on the [[Frozen]] and [[Frozen 2]] films, which launched the next year.<ref name="Gamesindustry.biz November 2018"/><ref name="THR August 2019">{{cite news |last=Beresford |first=Trilby |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jam-city-disney-unveil-first-look-at-frozen-adventures-mobile-game-1234246 |title=Jam City, Disney Unveil First Look at 'Frozen Adventures' Mobile Game |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 23, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref>

Jam City announced in January 2019 that it raised $145 million in funding from [[JPMorgan Chase Bank]], [[Bank of America Merrill Lynch]], and others to support Jam City’s acquisitions and global growth initiatives.<ref name="VentureBeat-January 2019">{{cite news |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/16/harry-potter-mobile-game-maker-jam-city-raises-145-million/ |title=Harry Potter mobile game maker Jam City raises $145 million |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=January 16, 2019 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref><ref name="TechCrunch-January 2019">{{cite news |last=Shieber |first=Jonathan |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/16/consolidation-is-coming-to-gaming-and-jam-city-raises-145-million-to-capitalize-on-it/ |title=Consolidation is coming to gaming, and Jam City raises $145 million to capitalize on it |work=[[TechCrunch]] |date=January 16, 2019 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> Jam City acquired [[Berlin, Germany|Berlin]]-based studio 231 Play in April.<ref name="Pocketgamer.biz April 2019">{{cite news |last=Chapple |first=Craig |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/70410/jam-city-acquires-berlin-studio-231-play/ |title=Jam City acquires Berlin studio 231 Play |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |date=April 5, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> DeWolfe told [[GamesBeat]] that the acquisition of studios in Toronto and Berlin allowed Jam City to expand into more game genres, such as [[solitaire]], [[mahjong]], and [[Bingo (American version)|bingo]].<ref name="parlor">{{cite news |title=Chris DeWolfe interview: Jam City bets on Disney Frozen 2 collaboration |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/11/14/chris-dewolfe-interview-jam-city-makes-big-bet-on-disney-frozen-2-collaboration/ |work=[[GamesBeat]] |date=November 14, 2019 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> According to analytics provider Sensor Tower, solitaire, mahjong, and bingo games ranked among Jam City's top games, as of February 2021.<ref name="sensortower">{{cite web |title= Jam City, Inc. |url=https://sensortower.com/android/publisher/jam-city-inc/Jam%2BCity%2C%2BInc. |work=Sensor Tower |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref>

By mid-2020, Jam City's valuation was estimated at greater than $2 billion.<ref name="Barron's June 2020">{{cite news |last=Cherney |first=Max A. |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/activision-and-ea-could-be-ready-for-a-big-acquisition-51592868351 |title=Mergers Are Heating Up in the Videogame World. EA and Activision Have Lots of Spending Money. |work=[[Barron's]] |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref>
References

References

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  37. ^ Takahashi, Dean (November 14, 2019). "Chris DeWolfe interview: Jam City bets on Disney Frozen 2 collaboration". GamesBeat. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  38. ^ "Jam City, Inc". Sensor Tower. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  39. ^ Cherney, Max A. (June 22, 2020). "Mergers Are Heating Up in the Videogame World. EA and Activision Have Lots of Spending Money". Barron's. Retrieved February 23, 2021.

I keep my Wikipedia contributions where I have a financial conflict of interest on Talk pages rather than directly edit entries, so I'm looking for editors who might be willing to review my request and update the article as they feel is appropriate. Please ping me if you have any questions or feedback. I am happy to collaborate with others. Thank you in advance, Danilo Two (talk) 19:02, 23 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

  •  Reviewing... Will finish during the long weekend. We previously worked together on Riot Games, so this should be smooth sailing. IceWelder [✉] 12:57, 1 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
@IceWelder: Yes, I recall working on that article with you. It was a pleasure collaborating with you on there, and I look forward to doing so again here. Feel free to leave me any questions or feedback. Danilo Two (talk) 13:22, 1 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
@Danilo Two: Here are some notes I took while reading through the draft:
  • Jam City launched in 2010 when Austin Ventures and the startup's founders initially ... – What is "the startup" here?
  • Platform G acquired MindJolt and took its name. – Specify that this happened in March and consider stating MindJolt's existing business as well as founder Richard Fields' position after the buyout.
  • The company was known as SGN from March 2012 to September 2016. – This should be simplified to renaming as SGN. The Jam City rebranding is mentioned later on. Also clarify that 'The company' is MindJolt, not the old SGN or Hallpass Media.
  • In June 2013, SGN acquired Mob Science, a Facebook games developer of "mid-core social games" and ... – Either "Facebook games" or "mid-core social games" is redundant. "a developer of social games" should be sufficient.
  • Following Netmarble's investment, SGN acquired several companies, including TinyCo in July 2016. With the TinyCo acquisition, SGN added 125 employees to its ranks, bringing its total number to about 400. – This is a bit wordy and "several companies" is vague. Possible rewording: SGN bought the developers Fat Rascal Games and Kiwi Inc. in late 2015, followed by TinyCo in July 2016. The latter acquisition raised SGN's staff count from 125 to 400. The BizJournals.com article for the TinyCo acquisition also links to another article for the purchases of FRG and Kiwi if you'd like to cite that.
  • The company rebranded as Jam City, Inc. in 2016 – Pursuant to the change above, re-add "September" here. The ", Inc." is probably unnecessary as it is not part of the brand in that rebranding (and not mentioned in the source anyway).
  • Jam City's game library expanded in 2018. – This is redundant.
  • ... a mobile game based on J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World franchise ... – "J.K. Rowling" should be "J. K. Rowling" and wiki-linked.
  • Jam City also bought Bingo Pop from Uken Games, ... – "also" is redundant here. The month when this happened should be mentioned. I would also work in the subsequent sentence, e.g. Jam City bought the intellectual property, management, and development team of Bingo Pop from ...
  • Jam City took over the game Disney Emoji Blitz. – Consider mentioning that this was part of the deal mentioned in the prior sentence.
  • was Frozen Adventures based on the Frozen and Frozen 2 films, ... – Change the link for Frozen [1] to Frozen (2013 film) and add italics to both film names.
  • DeWolfe told GamesBeat that ... – GamesBeat should be in italics.
I will re-review once the changes are implemented. Regards, IceWelder [✉] 12:07, 3 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
IceWelder: This is great feedback. I'll get the draft updated and ping you when I'm finished with it. Thanks for your thorough and constructive review! Danilo Two (talk) 12:22, 5 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@IceWelder: I incorporated your feedback into my userspace draft and the collapse boxes below. My initial draft left out the names of some of the acquisitions because I felt having too many names made the text confusing to readers. After seeing your suggestions in practice, I no longer think that's the case. Thanks again for taking the time to offer such constructive feedback.

Updated History
History

Jam City launched in 2010 when Austin Ventures and the founders of Chris DeWolfe's business, Platform G, initially invested $28 million.[1] Joining DeWolfe were fellow Myspace co-founders Colin Digiaro and Aber Whitcomb, and former 20th Century Fox executive Josh Yguado.[2][3] Platform G acquired MindJolt, a social gaming platform founded by Richard Fields, and took its name.[4] Fields remained with the company to lead strategy.[4] The company acquired Social Gaming Network (or SGN) and Hallpass Media, which added mobile games to the company's portfolio.[5][6] MindJolt renamed as SGN in March 2012.[7][8] In June 2013, SGN acquired Mob Science, a developer of social games and known for Legends: Rise of a Hero.[9] The company launched bubble shooter Panda Pop in 2013, which would later become one of the high-grossing mobile games.[10][11] Match-3 puzzle game Cookie Jam launched in 2014.[12] Cookie Jam was named Facebook's game of the year with more than 100 million downloads and 5 million active players at the time.[13][14] Cookie Jam was also among the 20 highest-grossing mobile games for Google Play and Apple's App Store.[15]

In the wake of Cookie Jam's success, South Korean mobile game company Netmarble invested $130 million in July 2015, becoming SGN's largest shareholder; this was one of the largest investments in mobile gaming since 2013.[16][17] By the time of Netmarble's investment, SGN games were downloaded 500 million times.[18]

Following Netmarble's investment, SGN bought the developers Fat Rascal Games and Kiwi Inc. in late 2015, followed by TinyCo in July 2016. The latter acquisition raised SGN's staff count from 125 to 400.[19] With the TinyCo acquisition, SGN added 125 employees to its ranks, bringing its total number to about 400.[19][20] Mobile entertainment games that TinyCo had created included Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff and Marvel Avengers Academy.[21]

The company rebranded as Jam City in September 2016,[8] the same year Genies & Gems, a match-3 puzzle game, launched.[22]

On April 25, 2018, Jam City released Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, a mobile game based on J. K. Rowling's Wizarding World franchise.[23] Within its first day, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery was ranked No. 1 on the App Store's free-to-play category and reached No. 10 on the list of top-grossing games across categories.[24] It was the fastest of Jam City's games to reach $100 million in revenue,[25] generating $110 million in its first year.[26] By October 2019, it had been downloaded 54.6 million times.[27] Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery was awarded Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game during the 2018 Dragon Awards.[28] The game was nominated for Best Breakthrough Game during the 2019 Google Play Awards.[29][30]

Jam City bought the intellectual property, management, and development team of Bingo Pop from Uken Games in November 2018, expanding geographically into Toronto, Canada.[31][32][33] Also in 2018, Jam City and Disney reached a multi-year deal for Jam City to develop licensed games based on stories and characters from Disney and Pixar.[34] As part of that deal, Jam City took over the game Disney Emoji Blitz.[34] Jam City's first new game under its deal with Disney was Frozen Adventures based on the Frozen and Frozen 2 films, which launched the next year.[34][35]

Jam City announced in January 2019 that it raised $145 million in funding from JPMorgan Chase Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and others to support Jam City’s acquisitions and global growth initiatives.[36][37] Jam City acquired Berlin-based studio 231 Play in April.[38] DeWolfe told GamesBeat that the acquisition of studios in Toronto and Berlin allowed Jam City to expand into more game genres, such as solitaire, mahjong, and bingo.[39] According to analytics provider Sensor Tower, solitaire, mahjong, and bingo games ranked among Jam City's top games, as of February 2021.[40]

By mid-2020, Jam City's valuation was estimated at greater than $2 billion.[41]
Markup

==History==

Jam City launched in 2010 when [[Austin Ventures]] and the founders of [[Chris DeWolfe]]'s business, Platform G, initially invested $28 million.<ref name="Variety-2015">{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/sgn-netmarble-funding-mobile-games-1201546770/ |title=Mobile-Game Studio SGN Lands $130 Million from Korea’s Netmarble |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> Joining DeWolfe were fellow [[Myspace]] co-founders [[Colin Digiaro]] and [[Aber Whitcomb]], and former [[20th Century Fox]] executive Josh Yguado.<ref name="ipo">{{cite news |access-date=June 1, 2018 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/03/22/jam-city-seeks-another-hit-more-family-guy-plans-ipo/99431382 |title=Jam City seeks another hit with more Family Guy, plans for IPO |work=USA Today |location=Tysons Corner, VA |date=March 22, 2017 |author=Graham, Jefferson}}</ref><ref name="comeback">{{cite news |access-date=June 1, 2018 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenchaykowski/2017/06/12/former-myspace-ceo-makes-a-comeback-as-a-mobile-gaming-hitmaker |title=Former MySpace CEO Makes A Comeback As A Mobile Gaming Hitmaker |work=Forbes |location=New York, NY |date=June 12, 2017 |author=Chaykowski, Kathleen}}</ref> Platform G acquired MindJolt, a social gaming platform founded by Richard Fields, and took its name.<ref name = "TechCrunch March2010">{{cite web |url= https://techcrunch.com/2010/03/03/chris-dewolfe-mindjolt-austin-ventures/ |title=Chris DeWolfe Makes His Move – Raises Big Round, Acquires Gaming Platform MindJolt |date=3 March 2010 |last=Arrington |first=Michael |website=[[TechCrunch]] |access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref> Fields remained with the company to lead strategy.<ref name = "TechCrunch March2010"/> The company acquired Social Gaming Network (or SGN) and Hallpass Media, which added [[mobile game]]s to the company's portfolio.<ref name = "NYTimes April2011" >{{cite web |url= https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/a-myspace-founder-is-building-again-with-online-games/ |title=A Myspace Founder Builds Again, Buying Game Companies |date=18 April 2011 |last=Rusli |first=Evelyn M. |website=New York Times Dealbook |access-date=23 January 2017 }}</ref><ref name = "Forbes June2013">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorikozlowski/2013/06/12/the-science-of-social-games/#54899d866c16 |title=The Science of Social Games |date=12 June 2013 |last=Kozlowski |first=Lori |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref> MindJolt renamed as SGN in March 2012.<ref name = "TechCrunch March 2012">{{cite web |url= https://techcrunch.com/2012/03/02/mindjolt-becomes-social-gaming-network/ |title=MySpace Co-Founder Chris DeWolfe Explains SGN’s New Name, Multi-Platform Plans |date=2 March 2012 |last=Ha |first=Anthony |website=TechCrunch |access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref><ref name = "Variety September2016">{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/sgn-jam-city-peanuts-mobile-game-1201867364/ |title=SGN Changes Name to Jam City, Acquires Rights to Make ‘Peanuts’ Mobile Game |date=22 September 2016 |last=Spangler |first=Todd |website=Variety |publisher=Variety Media, LLC |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> In June 2013, SGN acquired Mob Science, a developer of social games and known for ''Legends: Rise of a Hero''.<ref name = "AdWeek June2013">{{cite web |url=http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/social-gaming-network-mob-science/423171 |title=Social Gaming Network’s Acquisition Of Mob Science Continues Trend Away From Facebook-Only Social Games |date=17 June 2013 |last=M |first = Will |website=[[AdWeek]]: Social Times |access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref> The company launched bubble shooter ''Panda Pop'' in 2013, which would later become one of the high-grossing mobile games.<ref name=Pocketgamer 2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/66479/panda-pop-100-million-downloads/ |title=Jam City's Panda Pop clears 100 million downloads in under four years |date=August 25, 2017 |last=Cowley |first=Ric |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name="panda100m">{{cite news |title=Panda Pop passes 100 million users as Jam City readies for an IPO |last=Shieber |first=Jonathan |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/24/panda-pop-readies-jam-city-closeup/ |work=[[TechCrunch]] |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> Match-3 [[puzzle game]] ''Cookie Jam'' launched in 2014.<ref name="USA Today March 2014">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/03/24/cookie-jam-app-review/6824875/ |title='Cookie Jam': A tasty puzzle game with new twists |date=March 24, 2014 |last=Saltzman |first=Marc |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> ''Cookie Jam'' was named [[Facebook]]'s game of the year with more than 100 million downloads and 5 million active players at the time.<ref name="100 million">{{cite news |access-date=June 27, 2018 |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/05/24/jam-citys-cookie-jam-hits-100-million-downloads-as-cookie-jam-blast-debuts |title=Jam City's Cookie Jam hits 100 million downloads as Cookie Jam Blast debuts |work=VentureBeat |location=San Francisco, CA |date=May 24, 2017 |author=Takahashi, Dean}}</ref><ref name="LATimes December 2014">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-cookie-jam-netease-20141216-story.html |title=Mobile game ‘Cookie Jam’ latest hit being exported to China |date=December 16, 2014 |last=Dave |first=Paresh |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> ''Cookie Jam'' was also among the 20 highest-grossing mobile games for [[Google Play]] and Apple's [[App Store]].<ref name="entrepreneur">{{cite news |title=Maker of 'Cookie Jam' Lands $130 Million Investment From Korea's Top Gaming Giant |last=Zipkin |first=Nina |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/248739 |work=[[Entrepreneur (magazine)]] |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref>

In the wake of ''Cookie Jam''{{'}}s success, South Korean mobile game company [[Netmarble]] invested $130 million in July 2015, becoming SGN's largest shareholder; this was one of the largest investments in mobile gaming since 2013.<ref name = "NYTimes July2015">{{cite news |title=Netmarble Takes Stake in SGN, Extending Asia’s Reach Into U.S. Mobile Games |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/23/technology/netmarble-takes-stake-in-sgn-extending-asias-reach-into-us-mobile-games.html?_r=1 |date=23 July 2015 |last=Zimmerman |first=Eilene |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=The New York Times Company |access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="FastCompany July2015">{{cite web |url= https://www.fastcompany.com/3048962/tech-forecast/why-this-mobile-game-company-raised-130-million |title=Why This Mobile Game Company Raised $130 Million |date=23 July 2015 |last=Ungerleider |first=Neal |website=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] |publisher=Mansueto Ventures, LLC |access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> By the time of Netmarble's investment, SGN games were downloaded 500 million times.<ref name="variety-netmarble">{{cite news |title=Mobile-Game Studio SGN Lands $130 Million from Korea’s Netmarble |last=Spangler |first=Todd |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/asia/sgn-netmarble-funding-mobile-games-1201546770/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)]] |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref>

Following Netmarble's investment, SGN bought the developers Fat Rascal Games and Kiwi Inc. in late 2015, followed by TinyCo in July 2016. The latter acquisition raised SGN's staff count from 125 to 400.<ref name = "BizJournals July2016">{{cite web |url= http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2016/07/06/sgn-buys-startup-behind-marvel-family-guy-mobile.html |title=SGN buys startup behind Marvel, ‘Family Guy’ mobile games |date=6 July 2016 |last=Ellingson |first=Annlee |website=Biz Journals |publisher=American City Business Journals |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> With the TinyCo acquisition, SGN added 125 employees to its ranks, bringing its total number to about 400.<ref name = "BizJournals July2016"/><ref name = "Variety July2016">{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/sgn-tinyco-marvel-avengers-academy-1201809201/ |title=SGN Buys TinyCo, Maker of ‘Marvel Avengers Academy’ Mobile Game |date=6 July 2016 | last=Spangler |first=Todd |website=Variety |publisher=Variety Media, LLC |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> Mobile entertainment games that TinyCo had created included ''Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff'' and ''Marvel Avengers Academy''.<ref name = "AList July2016">{{cite web |url= http://www.alistdaily.com/strategy/sgn-talks-acquiring-tinyco-future-mobile-games-industry/ |title=SGN Talks About Acquiring TinyCo, Future Of Mobile Games Industry |date=7 July 2016 | last=Peterson |first=Steve |website=A List Daily |publisher=Ayzenberg |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref>

The company rebranded as Jam City in September 2016,<ref name = "Variety September2016">{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/sgn-jam-city-peanuts-mobile-game-1201867364/ |title=SGN Changes Name to Jam City, Acquires Rights to Make ‘Peanuts’ Mobile Game |date=22 September 2016 |last=Spangler |first=Todd |website=Variety |publisher=Variety Media, LLC |access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> the same year ''Genies & Gems'', a match-3 puzzle game, launched.<ref name="VentureBeat April 2017">{{cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/04/25/how-jam-city-ceo-chris-dewolfe-sees-the-freakin-mobile-game-world/ |title=How Jam City CEO Chris DeWolfe sees the freakin’ mobile game world |date=April 25, 2017 |work=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref>

On April 25, 2018, Jam City released ''[[Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery]]'', a mobile game based on [[J. K. Rowling]]'s [[Wizarding World]] franchise.<ref name="VentureBeat April 2018">{{cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/26/harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-tops-apple-app-store-charts-a-day-after-launch/ |title=Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery tops Apple App Store charts a day after launch |last=Chan |first=Stephanie |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=April 26, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref> Within its first day, ''Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery'' was ranked No. 1 on the App Store's free-to-play category and reached No. 10 on the list of top-grossing games across categories.<ref name="Hogwartsfirstday">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery tops Apple App Store charts a day after launch |last=Chan |first=Stephanie |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/04/26/harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-tops-apple-app-store-charts-a-day-after-launch/ |work=[[GamesBeat]] |date=April 26, 2018 |access-date=March 11, 2021}}</ref> It was the fastest of Jam City's games to reach $100 million in revenue,<ref name="145m">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter mobile game maker Jam City raises $145 million |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/16/harry-potter-mobile-game-maker-jam-city-raises-145-million/ |work=[[GamesBeat]] |date=January 16, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2021}}</ref> generating $110 million in its first year.<ref name="110m">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery grosses $110m in first year |last=Taylor |first=Haydn |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-03-14-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-grosses-usd110m-in-first-year |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |date=March 14, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2021}}</ref> By October 2019, it had been downloaded 54.6 million times.<ref name="Potterdownloads19">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery reaches $150m in revenue |last=Dealessandri |first=Marie |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-10-harry-potter-hogwarts-mystery-reaches-usd150m-in-revenue |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |date=October 10, 2019 |access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref> ''Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery'' was awarded Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game during the [[Dragon Awards#Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game|2018 Dragon Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamcity.com/2018-dragon-awards/|title=Jam City|website=jamcity.com}}</ref> The game was nominated for Best Breakthrough Game during the 2019 Google Play Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-26|title=2019 Google Play Awards nominees announced ahead of Google I/O|url=https://www.androidauthority.com/2019-google-play-awards-979976/|access-date=2021-01-27|website=Android Authority}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kerr|first=Chris|title=Marvel Strike Force and Shadowgun Legends honored at 2019 Google Play Awards|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/342193/Marvel_Strike_Force_and_Shadowgun_Legends_honored_at_2019_Google_Play_Awards.php|access-date=2021-01-27|website=gamasutra.com}}</ref>

Jam City bought the intellectual property, management, and development team of ''Bingo Pop'' from [[Uken Games]] in November 2018, expanding geographically into [[Toronto, Canada]].<ref name="VentureBeat-November 2018>{{cite news |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/28/jam-city-acquires-bingo-pop-maker-uken/ |title=Jam City acquires Bingo Pop maker from Uken |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref><ref name="TechCrunch-November 2018>{{cite news |last=Shieber |first=Jonathan |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/28/jam-city-is-setting-up-a-toronto-shop-by-buying-bingo-pop-from-uken-games/ |title=Jam City is setting up a Toronto shop by buying Bingo Pop from Uken Games |work=[[TechCrunch]] |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref><ref name="LABJ-November 2018">{{cite news |last=Amore |first=Samson |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2018/nov/28/jam-city-acquires-bingo-pop-mobile-game/ |title=Jam City Acquires Bingo Pop Mobile Game |work=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]] |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> Also in 2018, Jam City and [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] reached a multi-year deal for Jam City to develop licensed games based on stories and characters from Disney and [[Pixar]].<ref name="Gamesindustry.biz November 2018">{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Haydn |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-11-14-jam-city-announces-multi-year-deal-with-disney |title=Jam City secures multi-year deal with Disney |work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> As part of that deal, Jam City took over the game ''Disney Emoji Blitz''.<ref name="Gamesindustry.biz November 2018"/> Jam City's first new game under its deal with Disney was ''Frozen Adventures'' based on the ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'' and ''[[Frozen 2]]'' films, which launched the next year.<ref name="Gamesindustry.biz November 2018"/><ref name="THR August 2019">{{cite news |last=Beresford |first=Trilby |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jam-city-disney-unveil-first-look-at-frozen-adventures-mobile-game-1234246 |title=Jam City, Disney Unveil First Look at 'Frozen Adventures' Mobile Game |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 23, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref>

Jam City announced in January 2019 that it raised $145 million in funding from [[JPMorgan Chase Bank]], [[Bank of America Merrill Lynch]], and others to support Jam City’s acquisitions and global growth initiatives.<ref name="VentureBeat-January 2019">{{cite news |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/16/harry-potter-mobile-game-maker-jam-city-raises-145-million/ |title=Harry Potter mobile game maker Jam City raises $145 million |work=[[VentureBeat]] |date=January 16, 2019 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref><ref name="TechCrunch-January 2019">{{cite news |last=Shieber |first=Jonathan |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/16/consolidation-is-coming-to-gaming-and-jam-city-raises-145-million-to-capitalize-on-it/ |title=Consolidation is coming to gaming, and Jam City raises $145 million to capitalize on it |work=[[TechCrunch]] |date=January 16, 2019 |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> Jam City acquired [[Berlin, Germany|Berlin]]-based studio 231 Play in April.<ref name="Pocketgamer.biz April 2019">{{cite news |last=Chapple |first=Craig |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/70410/jam-city-acquires-berlin-studio-231-play/ |title=Jam City acquires Berlin studio 231 Play |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |date=April 5, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> DeWolfe told ''[[GamesBeat]]'' that the acquisition of studios in Toronto and Berlin allowed Jam City to expand into more game genres, such as [[solitaire]], [[mahjong]], and [[Bingo (American version)|bingo]].<ref name="parlor">{{cite news |title=Chris DeWolfe interview: Jam City bets on Disney Frozen 2 collaboration |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/11/14/chris-dewolfe-interview-jam-city-makes-big-bet-on-disney-frozen-2-collaboration/ |work=[[GamesBeat]] |date=November 14, 2019 |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> According to analytics provider Sensor Tower, solitaire, mahjong, and bingo games ranked among Jam City's top games, as of February 2021.<ref name="sensortower">{{cite web |title= Jam City, Inc. |url=https://sensortower.com/android/publisher/jam-city-inc/Jam%2BCity%2C%2BInc. |work=Sensor Tower |access-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref>

By mid-2020, Jam City's valuation was estimated at greater than $2 billion.<ref name="Barron's June 2020">{{cite news |last=Cherney |first=Max A. |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/activision-and-ea-could-be-ready-for-a-big-acquisition-51592868351 |title=Mergers Are Heating Up in the Videogame World. EA and Activision Have Lots of Spending Money. |work=[[Barron's]] |date=June 22, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref>
References

References

  1. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 23, 2015). "Mobile-Game Studio SGN Lands $130 Million from Korea's Netmarble". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Graham, Jefferson (March 22, 2017). "Jam City seeks another hit with more Family Guy, plans for IPO". USA Today. Tysons Corner, VA. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  3. ^ Chaykowski, Kathleen (June 12, 2017). "Former MySpace CEO Makes A Comeback As A Mobile Gaming Hitmaker". Forbes. New York, NY. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Arrington, Michael (3 March 2010). "Chris DeWolfe Makes His Move – Raises Big Round, Acquires Gaming Platform MindJolt". TechCrunch. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  5. ^ Rusli, Evelyn M. (18 April 2011). "A Myspace Founder Builds Again, Buying Game Companies". New York Times Dealbook. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  6. ^ Kozlowski, Lori (12 June 2013). "The Science of Social Games". Forbes. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  7. ^ Ha, Anthony (2 March 2012). "MySpace Co-Founder Chris DeWolfe Explains SGN's New Name, Multi-Platform Plans". TechCrunch. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  8. ^ a b Spangler, Todd (22 September 2016). "SGN Changes Name to Jam City, Acquires Rights to Make 'Peanuts' Mobile Game". Variety. Variety Media, LLC. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  9. ^ M, Will (17 June 2013). "Social Gaming Network's Acquisition Of Mob Science Continues Trend Away From Facebook-Only Social Games". AdWeek: Social Times. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  10. ^ Cowley, Ric (August 25, 2017). "Jam City's Panda Pop clears 100 million downloads in under four years". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  11. ^ Shieber, Jonathan (August 24, 2017). "Panda Pop passes 100 million users as Jam City readies for an IPO". TechCrunch. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
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Let me know what you think of this draft. Thank you. Danilo Two (talk) 13:27, 5 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Danilo Two, I added the history with slight wording improvements for clarity. I noticed that some elements duplicated the sub-sections in "Games", so I removed those in favor of the expanded History. One thing I had to remove there was the Dragon Award for the Harry Potter game as it was sourced to Jam City's website and I could not immediately find a secondary-source replacement (might look again later). I also performed some general cleanup. Regards, IceWelder [✉] 14:18, 7 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
@IceWelder: Thank you very much for these updates! I noticed a missing word in the intro: The last sentence says "Netmarble the majority shareholder in Jam City". Can you add the word "is"? "Netmarble is the majority shareholder in Jam City". Also, I will look to see if I can find a secondary source for the Dragon Award. Lastly, I will go through the article to see how the remaining sections may be updated and improved. Hope you don't mind if I ping you when I post those requests. Thanks again! Danilo Two (talk) 15:00, 7 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Danilo Two, my bad, I added the missing word. I will of course take future requests (I am watching the article now and will receive emails upon changes there and here). IceWelder [✉] 15:34, 7 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
@IceWelder: The intro currently says "Netmarble is the majority shareholder in Jam City." Netmarble is Jam City's "largest shareholder", not majority. I see that the Bloomberg source says "majority", but I'm told by Jam City that's not the case. "Largest" is verified in The New York Times[1] and Fast Company.[2]. Would you please consider changing "majority" to "largest"?
Additionally, I looked around for a source for the Dragon Award. There aren't great third-party sources for it. I did see that the Dragon Awards article cites Dragon Awards website. I saw a few blogs, too, such as Comics Beat, but those may not meet WP:RS. Do you think the Dragon Awards website is applicable here?
Thanks again for helping with this article. Danilo Two (talk) 16:26, 19 April 2021 (UTC)[reply]
References

References

  1. ^ Zimmerman, Eilene (July 23, 2015). "Netmarble Takes Stake in SGN, Extending Asia's Reach Into U.S. Mobile Games". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  2. ^ Ungerleider, Neal (July 23, 2015). "Why This Mobile Game Company Raised $130 Million". Fast Company. Mansueto Ventures, LLC. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
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