FTX Games

{{Short description|American video game publisher}}

{{Infobox company

| name = FTX Games

| logo =

| type = Subsidiary

| industry = Video games

| founded = {{Start date and age|2006}} in Israel

| founder = {{Unbulleted list|Yaron Leifenberg|Ilan Graicer}}

| hq_location_city = San Diego

| hq_location_country = US

| key_people = Casey Dickinson (CEO){{cite news|last=Wong|first=Steven|title=This Week's Exec Shifts|url=https://www.alistdaily.com/lifestyle/cmo-marketing-jobs-august-6-2018|newspaper=a.list|access-date=August 10, 2018}}

| products = See {{section link||Games}}

| parent = Tilting Point Media (2020–present){{cite news|title=Tilting Point acquires Plamee Studios and FTX Games assets|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/15/tilting-point-acquires-ftx-games-assets-and-all-of-plamee-studios/|newspaper=venturebeat.com|access-date=July 15, 2020}}

| website = {{URL|https://ftxgames.com/}}

}}

FTX Games is an American video game publisher based in San Diego. Originally founded as Funtactix in 2006, the company was acquired by Playtech in March 2016 and was rebranded as FTX Games.{{cite news|last=Grubb|first=Jeff|title=Playtech taps Funtactix's Hollywood know-how for its casual games biz|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/05/31/playtech-taps-real-boxing-2-studios-hollywood-know-how-for-its-casual-games-biz|newspaper=VentureBeat.com|access-date=May 31, 2016}} In July 2020, FTX Games was acquired by Tilting Point Media.{{cite news|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|title=Tilting Point acquires Plamee Studios and FTX Games assets|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/15/tilting-point-acquires-ftx-games-assets-and-all-of-plamee-studios/|newspaper=venturebeat.com|access-date=July 15, 2020}}

History

Funtactix was founded in Israel in 2006 by Yaron Leifenberg and Ilan Graicer, backed by Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) and Benchmark Capital.{{cite news|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|title=Funtactix launches cross-platform Moondo gaming universe|url=https://venturebeat.com/2008/07/27/funtactix-launches-cross-platform-moondo-gaming-universe|newspaper=VentureBeat.com|access-date=July 27, 2008}} Based on an internally developed engine, the company launched Moondo, which enabled players to create and port their character avatar across web-based, online 3D multiplayer games.{{cite news|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|title=Funtactix launches cross-platform Moondo gaming universe|url=https://venturebeat.com/2008/07/27/funtactix-launches-cross-platform-moondo-gaming-universe|newspaper=VentureBeat.com|access-date=July 27, 2008}}

In 2009, the company switched to a Flash and HTML5 platform to create IP-based games. This included a partnership with Paramount,{{cite news|title=Paramount Pictures and Funtactix Release Mission: Impossible The Game Social Experience for Mission: Impossible Movie Fans|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paramount-pictures-and-funtactix-release-mission-impossible-the-game-social-experience-for-mission-impossible-movie-fans-134238843.html|newspaper=PR Newswire|access-date=November 21, 2011}} to create licensed social games for select IPs, such as Rango: The World or Mission: Impossible - The Game, based on the Rango and Mission: Impossible film franchises, respectively.{{cite news|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|title=Paramount Enters Online Game Space With 'Rango'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-enters-online-game-space-98024|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=February 10, 2011}} In partnership with Lions Gate Entertainment, Funtactix announced The Hunger Games Adventures in 2012{{cite news|title=Lionsgate and Funtactix Announce THE HUNGER GAMES ADVENTURES|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120201006273/en/Lionsgate-Funtactix-Announce%C2%A0THE-HUNGER-GAMES-ADVENTURES|newspaper=Business Wire|access-date=February 1, 2012}} based on The Hunger Games film series. The game was released on Facebook (March 23, 2012), iPad (September 2012), and iPhone (February 7, 2013).{{cite news|last=LeFebvre|first=Rob|title=The Hunger Games Adventures 2.0 Updates With iPhone Support, New Content From 'Catching Fire'|url=https://www.cultofmac.com/215856/the-hunger-games-adventures-2-0-updates-with-iphone-support-new-content-from-catching-fire|newspaper=Cult of Mac|access-date=February 13, 2013}}

By 2016, Funtactix was acquired by Playtech and officially rebranded as FTX Games.{{cite news|title=Playtech expands casual games business with Funtactix acquisition|url=https://www.gamingintelligence.com/manda/38051-playtech-expands-casual-games-business-with-funtactix-acquisition/|newspaper=GamingIntelligence.com|access-date=May 31, 2016}} In July 2020, FTX Games was acquired by Tilting Point Media.{{cite news|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|title=Tilting Point acquires Plamee Studios and FTX Games assets|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/07/15/tilting-point-acquires-ftx-games-assets-and-all-of-plamee-studios/|newspaper=venturebeat.com|access-date=July 15, 2020}}

Games

class="wikitable sortable"

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Platforms

! scope="col" | Description

Moondo

|2001

|PC

|A virtual world of online multi-player 3D games, it was one of the first full 3D action games in the browser and the first to introduce the cross-gaming concept of a single avatar used in multiple games.{{cite news|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|title=Funtactix launches cross-platform Moondo gaming universe|url=https://venturebeat.com/2008/07/27/funtactix-launches-cross-platform-moondo-gaming-universe|newspaper=VentureBeat.com|access-date=July 27, 2008}}

Rango: The World

|2011

|PC

|Rango: The World was based on the animated film Rango and launched day and date with the movie's theatrical release. Rango: The World was a flash-based Massively multiplayer online game (MMO) aimed at children. This game was one of several planned games as part of a multi-title deal with Paramount to produce virtual worlds and games for selected Paramount brands.{{cite news|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|title=Funtactix creates a game world for the launch of Rango animated film|url=https://venturebeat.com/2011/02/10/funtactix-creates-a-game-world-for-the-launch-of-rango-animated-film/|newspaper=VentureBeat|access-date=February 10, 2011}}{{cite news|last=Caoili|first=Eric|title=Funtactix, Paramount Releasing Rango Online Game With 'The World' Platform|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32975/Funtactix_Paramount_Releasing_Rango_Online_Game_With_The_World_Platform.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213055837/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32975/Funtactix_Paramount_Releasing_Rango_Online_Game_With_The_World_Platform.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 13, 2011|newspaper=Gamasutra|access-date=February 10, 2011}}{{cite news|last=Alexa|first=Harrison|title='Rango' range extends online|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118031894|newspaper=Variety|access-date=February 10, 2011}}

Mission: Impossible - The Game

|2011

|Facebook

|The official social network game for the Mission: Impossible film series was launched on November 21, 2011{{cite news|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|title=Paramount Pictures Launches 'Mission: Impossible' Facebook Game to Promote 'Ghost Protocol'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-pictures-launches-mission-impossible-264267|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 21, 2011}} shortly before the theatrical release of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

New Boyz: The World

|2011

|Facebook

|The official social network game for the hip hop duo The New Boyz was launched on May 2, 2011{{cite news|last=Osborne|first=Joe|title=New Boyz: The World on Facebook: If the New Boyz came to YoVille...|url=https://www.aol.com/2011/05/02/new-boyz-the-world-facebook|newspaper=Aol.com|access-date=May 2, 2011}} shortly before the release of the group's second album Too Cool to Care.

The Hunger Games Adventures

|2012

|App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore, Facebook

|The official social network game for The Hunger Games series of films and novels was released in closed beta for fans concurrently with the theatrical release of the film on March 23, 2012.{{cite news|title=Lionsgate and Funtactix Announce THE HUNGER GAMES ADVENTURES|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120201006273/en/Lionsgate-Funtactix-Announce%C2%A0THE-HUNGER-GAMES-ADVENTURES|newspaper=Business Wire|access-date=February 1, 2012}} The game was then released to the public a week later on March 30, 2012.{{cite news|last=Osborne|first=Joe|title=The Hunger Games Adventures are on, open for all March 30|url=https://www.aol.com/2012/03/28/the-hunger-games-adventures-open-beta-march-30/|newspaper=Aol.com|access-date=March 28, 2012}} The Hunger Games Adventures was then released on iPad on September 13, 2012{{cite news|title=The Hunger Games Adventures Review|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/the-hunger-games-adventures-review-2012-9|newspaper=BusinessInsider.com|access-date=September 17, 2012}}{{cite news|last=Blum|first=Matt|title=The Hunger Games Adventures for iPad will Immerse you in the World of Panem|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/08/the-hunger-games-adventure-ipad/|newspaper=Wired|access-date=August 21, 2012}} and iPhone/iPod Touch on February 7, 2013, with a release on the Kindle Fire on October 18, 2013.

The League: Daily Fantasy Football

|2014

|App Store, Google Play

|The official fantasy football game for The League, The League: Daily Fantasy Football was launched on September 18, 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152712394542272|newspaper=The League - Official Facebook Page|access-date=September 18, 2014}}

Power Rangers: UNITE

|2015

|App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore

|On January 6, 2015, Funtactix announced a partnership with Saban Brands to create a new mobile card battle game based on the Power Rangers named Power Rangers: UNITE.{{cite news|last=Shaul|first=Brandy|title=Funtactix, Saban Brands Partner for Power Rangers: Unite on Mobile|url=http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/funtactix-saban-brands-partner-power-rangers-unite-mobile/555076|newspaper=Adweek|access-date=January 6, 2015}}

Hot Tub Time Machine: Tap That

|2015

|App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore, Facebook

|The official mobile game of the Hot Tub Time Machine films, Hot Tub Time Machine: Tap That was announced on December 22, 2014{{cite news|last=Shaul|first=Brandy|title=Funtactix Announces Hot Tub Time Machine: Tap That for Mobile|url=http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/funtactix-announces-hot-tub-time-machine-tap-mobile/554804|newspaper=Adweek|access-date=December 22, 2014}} and then launched on Facebook, Google Play Store and App Store on January 15, 2015{{cite news|last=Dirks|first=Brent|title=Hot Tub Time Machine: Tap That lands on the App Store full of raunchy fun|url=http://appadvice.com/appnn/2015/01/hot-tub-time-machine-tap-that-lands-on-the-app-store-full-of-raunchy-fun|newspaper=AppAdvice|access-date=January 15, 2015}}

Real Boxing 2: CREED

|2015

|App Store, Google Play

|Developed for Vivid Games, Real Boxing 2: CREED launched as the official mobile game of the movie Creed (film).{{cite news|last=Grubb|first=Jeff|title=Playtech taps Funtactix's Hollywood know-how for its casual games biz|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/05/31/playtech-taps-real-boxing-2-studios-hollywood-know-how-for-its-casual-games-biz|newspaper=VentureBeat.com|access-date=May 31, 2016}}

Narcos: Cartel Wars

|2016

|App Store, Google Play

|In partnership with Gaumont International Television,{{cite news|last=Spangler|first=Todd|title='Narcos' Mobile Game Based on Netflix Show Will Let You Run Your Own Drug Cartel|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/games/narcos-mobile-game-netflix-1201823199/|newspaper=Variety|access-date=July 26, 2016}} Narcos: Cartel Wars, developed by Plamee, is a mobile video game based on the Netflix series Narcos.{{cite news|last=Ockerman|first=Emma|title=Now You Can Run Your Own Cartel With Netflix's Narcos Mobile App|url=https://time.com/4425849/netflix-narcos-cartel-wars/|newspaper=Time|access-date=July 27, 2016}}

Criminal Minds: The Mobile Game

|2018

|App Store, Google Play

|The official mobile game based on the CBS show, Criminal Minds{{cite news|last=Fahey|first=Mike|title=The Criminal Minds Game Gets Right To The Grisly Bits|url=https://kotaku.com/the-criminal-minds-game-gets-right-to-the-grisly-bits-1830682400|newspaper=Kotaku.com|access-date=November 27, 2018}}{{cite news|last=Gravelle|first=Cody|title=Criminal Minds: The Mobile Game Will Stay True To The Show|url=https://screenrant.com/criminal-minds-mobile-game-writers-trailer/|newspaper=ScreenRant|access-date=March 20, 2019}}{{cite news|last=Cabral|first=Matt|title=New 'Walking Dead' Mobile Gaming Details Revealed|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/walking-dead-mobile-game-details-revealed-1149282|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 4, 2018}} and developed by Netherlands-based developer, Blue Giraffe Games.{{cite news|last=Sandar|first=Alec|title=Criminal Minds Review|url=https://www.bluemoongame.com/criminal-minds-review/|newspaper=BlueMoon.com|access-date=December 11, 2018}}

The Walking Dead: Casino Slots

|2018

|App Store, Google Play

|The first of two mobile games from FTX Games based on AMC’s The Walking Dead (TV series), The Walking Dead: Casino Slots{{cite news|last=Cabral|first=Matt|title=New 'Walking Dead' Mobile Gaming Details Revealed|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/walking-dead-mobile-game-details-revealed-1149282|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 4, 2018}} is developed by Fox Cub.

Breaking Bad: Criminal Elements

|2019

|App Store, Google Play

|Created in collaboration with the creators of the TV show Breaking Bad, Breaking Bad: Criminal Elements was developed by Plamee. According to Breaking Bad show creator, Vince Gilligan, the game is “an authentic extension of the series’ story universe.” {{cite news|last=Cabral|first=Matt|title='Breaking Bad' Mobile Game Will Put Players in the Empire Business|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/breaking-bad-mobile-game-puts-fans-empire-business-1175196|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=January 10, 2019}}

Awards

  • 2013 Webby – Best Social Game on Tablet and Other Devices[https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2013/mobile-apps/tablet-and-all-other-devices/social-gaming-tablet-all-other-devices/the-hunger-games-adventures/ 2103 Webby Awards]
  • 2013 Webby – People’s Voice Award[https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2013/mobile-apps/tablet-and-all-other-devices/social-gaming-tablet-all-other-devices/the-hunger-games-adventures/ 2103 Webby Awards]
  • 2013 Variety – Best Entertainment IP-based Mobile Game{{Cite web |url=http://appdevelopersalliance.org/variety-awards |title=2013 Variety – Best Entertainment IP-based Mobile Game |access-date=2019-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812225517/http://appdevelopersalliance.org/variety-awards |archive-date=2013-08-12 |url-status=dead }}
  • 2012 Forbes – Top 10 Tech Company in Israel{{Cite web |url=http://www.forbes.co.il/news/new.aspx?0r9VQ=LEM |title=Forbes – Top 10 Tech Company in Israel |access-date=2019-09-05 |archive-date=2013-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007153134/http://www.forbes.co.il/news/new.aspx?0r9VQ=LEM |url-status=dead }}

References

{{reflist}}