Glu Mobile
{{short description|American video game developer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Glu Mobile LLC
| logo = Glu Mobile logo.svg
| former_name = Sorrent (2001–2005)
| type = Subsidiary
| traded_as = {{NASDAQ was|GLUU}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|2001}}
| location = San Francisco, California, U.S.
| industry = Video games
| key_people = Nick Earl (CEO and president)
| num_employees = 800{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-acquires-glu-mobile-2-billion?sf137867903=1|title=EA Acquires Glu Mobile for $2.1 Billion, One of the Biggest Gaming Acquisitions Ever|first=Joseph|last=Knoop|work=IGN|date=February 9, 2021|accessdate=February 9, 2021|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215023652/https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-acquires-glu-mobile-2-billion?sf137867903=1|url-status=live}}
| num_employees_year = 2021
| parent = EA Mobile (2021–present)
| homepage = {{URL|www.glu.com}}
}}
Glu Mobile LLC is an American developer and publisher of mobile games. It was founded as Sorrent in 2001 and acquired Macrospace in 2004. Both companies collectively rebranded as Glu Mobile in 2005. In April 2021, the company was acquired by Electronic Arts and subsequently consolidated under EA Mobile.
History
Glu Mobile was founded as Sorrent in 2001. In December 2004, Sorrent acquired the London-based Macrospace. In June 2005 the merged company created a new corporate name: Glu Mobile.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/glu/|title=Glu|date=June 16, 2005|magazine=Edge|publisher=Future plc|access-date=August 6, 2013|archive-date=July 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727101621/http://www.edge-online.com/features/glu/|url-status=live}} That same year, Greg Ballard replaced Sorrent founder Scott Orr as CEO. In 2006, Glu Mobile acquired iFone and in 2007 it acquired Chinese mobile game producer Beijing Zhangzhong MIG Information Technology Co. Ltd. ("MIG"). In September 2007, Glu announced the launch of Asteroids for mobile phones.{{cite web |url=http://www.4-traders.com/GLU-MOBILE-INC-46581/news/Glu-Mobile-Inc-Glu-Launches-Asteroids-TM-on-Mobile-Phones-Worldwide-410399/ |title=Glu Mobile Inc : Glu Launches Asteroids® on Mobile Phones Worldwide |date=September 4, 2007 |access-date=July 14, 2013 |archive-date=July 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717041738/http://www.4-traders.com/GLU-MOBILE-INC-46581/news/Glu-Mobile-Inc-Glu-Launches-Asteroids-TM-on-Mobile-Phones-Worldwide-410399/ |url-status=live }} In March 2008, Glu acquired San Clemente-based mobile developer Superscape.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2008-01-24 |title=Glu Announces Tender Offer to Acquire Superscape, a Leading Publisher of Mobile Games |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/glu-announces-tender-offer-to-acquire-superscape-a-leading-publisher-of-mobile-games |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}
In January 2010, Niccolo de Masi joined Glu Mobile as the President and CEO. De Masi was previously CEO at Hands-On Mobile. Since his arrival, Glu has transitioned to a freemium business model focused around Glu's original IP.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}
On August 2, 2011, Glu acquired Griptonite Games and Blammo Games. Its staff of 200 "approximately double[d]" Glu's internal development capacity.{{Cite web|url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/126331/Glu_Mobile_Picks_Up_Griptonite_Blammo_After_Narrowing_Losses.php|title = Glu Mobile Picks up Griptonite, Blammo After Narrowing Losses|date = August 2, 2011|access-date = April 21, 2012|archive-date = August 25, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210825041629/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/126331/Glu_Mobile_Picks_Up_Griptonite_Blammo_After_Narrowing_Losses.php|url-status = live}}{{cite web |title=Glu Mobile Acquires Griptonite, Blammo Games for Stock, Earnouts Worth More Than $50M |url=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/glu-mobile-acquires-blammo-griptonite/ |website=Ad Week |access-date=14 May 2024}}
In April 2012, Glu acquired the entire Deer Hunter franchise.{{cite web|title=Glu Mobile Acquires Deer Hunter® Brand|date=April 4, 2012|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120404006539/en/Glu-Mobile-Acquires-Deer-Hunter%C2%AE-Brand|publisher=BusinessWire|access-date=June 28, 2012|archive-date=September 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928174315/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120404006539/en/Glu-Mobile-Acquires-Deer-Hunter%C2%AE-Brand|url-status=live}}
Glu Mobile bought Gamespy Technologies (the entity responsible for GameSpy multiplayer services) from IGN Entertainment in August 2012,{{Cite web|title=Glu Acquires GameSpy Technology to Expand Connected, Cross-platform Mobile Leadership|url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=207033&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1721900&highlight=|publisher=Glu Mobile|access-date=November 19, 2012|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411143602/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=207033&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1721900&highlight=|url-status=live}} and proceeded in December to raise integration costs and shut down servers for many older games, including the Star Wars: Battlefront series, Sniper Elite, Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Neverwinter Nights, with no warning to developers or consumers.{{Cite web|title=Glu Shutting Down Multiplayer for GameSpy-based PC Titles|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Glu-Mobile-GameSpy-Multiplayer-PC-Gaming-Rebellion,19684.html|publisher=Tom's Hardware|access-date=November 19, 2012}} GameSpy Technologies remained operational and did not make any announcements of an impending shutdown; the two GameSpy companies were separate entities and only related by name.{{Cite web|title=A Tale of Two GameSpys |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/122/1226912p1.html |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213052002/http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/122/1226912p1.html |archive-date=December 13, 2012 }} Glu also shut down online multiplayer servers for several titles on the Nintendo DS and Wii, such as Mario Kart DS, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Mario Kart Wii. Glu shut down the rest of Gamespy effective on May 31, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/5/6/5687238/star-wars-battlefront-2-star-wars-empire-gamespy-shutdown-may-31|title=Star Wars Battlefront 2, Empire at War going offline due to GameSpy shutdown|work=Polygon|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=May 14, 2014|archive-date=April 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409233614/https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/6/5687238/star-wars-battlefront-2-star-wars-empire-gamespy-shutdown-may-31|url-status=live}}
On September 3, 2014, PlayFirst was acquired by Glu. The official statement from Glu Mobile CEO Niccolo de Masi read "We are pleased to officially add PlayFirst to the Glu family and look forward to delivering new DASH products to a worldwide audience."{{cite web| url = http://www.playfirst.com/news/viewNewsItem/34| title = Glu Mobile Completes Acquisition of PlayFirst| author = PlayFirst| publisher = PlayFirst| date = September 3, 2014| access-date = September 3, 2014| archive-date = January 25, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180125043352/http://www.playfirst.com/news/viewNewsItem/34| url-status = dead}}
In April 2015, Chinese company Tencent paid $126 million for a 15% stake in Glu Mobile.{{Cite web|title=Tencent Will Pay $126 Million for 15 Percent Stake in Glu Mobile|date=April 29, 2015|url=http://recode.net/2015/04/29/tencent-will-pay-126-million-for-15-percent-stake-in-glu-mobile/|publisher=re/code|access-date=April 29, 2015|archive-date=May 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506203431/http://recode.net/2015/04/29/tencent-will-pay-126-million-for-15-percent-stake-in-glu-mobile/|url-status=live}} It had 20.8% as of 2017.{{Cite web|url = https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/09/chinese-ipos-in-the-us-an-indirect-battle-between-alibaba-and-tencent.html|title = Two tech giants are behind the pick-up in China IPOs on US exchanges|website = CNBC|date = November 9, 2017|access-date = November 11, 2017|archive-date = November 12, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171112074503/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/09/chinese-ipos-in-the-us-an-indirect-battle-between-alibaba-and-tencent.html|url-status = live}}
On November 4th, 2016, Glu purchased the mobile app developer Crowdstar buying their mobile games including Covet Fashion.{{Cite web |last1=Chapple |first1=Craig |last2=Content |first2=Head of |date=2016-11-04 |title=Glu Mobile appoints new CEO and acquires control of Covet: Fashion dev Crowdstar for $45 million |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/64353/glu-mobile-appoints-new-ceo-and-acquires-control-of-covet-fashion-dev-crowdstar-for-45-million/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=pocketgamer.biz}}
On December 22, 2016, it was announced that Glu Mobile had acquired the trivia game QuizUp for {{US$}}7.5 million. On January 20, 2021, QuizUp was removed from appstores, and on January 21, 2021, it was announced that QuizUp will be discontinued on March 22, 2021. Since then, all purchases are disabled.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=January 22, 2021|title=QUIZUP TO BE DISCONTINUED|url=https://glumobile.helpshift.com/a/quizup/?s=general&f=quizup-to-be-discontinued&l=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201011909/https://glumobile.helpshift.com/a/quizup/?s=general&f=quizup-to-be-discontinued&l=en|archive-date=February 1, 2021|access-date=January 24, 2021|website=Glu Mobile}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=March 24, 2021|title=QUIZUP MAIN PAGE|url=https://www.quizup.com/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404215417/http://quizup.com/|archive-date=April 4, 2014|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=QuizUp}}
In November 2016, Nick Earl became CEO. The majority stake of Glu shares are held by institutions: at the start of the third quarter of 2012, institutional ownership was 78% of the outstanding shares according to Google Finance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:GLUU|title=Google Finance - Stock Market Prices, Real-time Quotes & Business News|access-date=November 11, 2016|archive-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906181805/http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:GLUU|url-status=dead}}
Electronic Arts announced in February 2021 that it plans to acquire Glu in a deal estimated at US$2.4 billion.{{cite web |title=EA completes $2.4 billion acquisition of Glu Mobile |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/ea-completes-2-4-billion-acquisition-of-glu-mobile/ |website=Venture Beat |access-date=20 May 2024}}{{cite web |title=EA to Acquire Glu Mobile, Maker of 'Kim Kardashian: Hollywood,' in $2.1 Billion Deal |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/ea-to-acquire-glu-mobile-kim-kardashian-game-1234903524/ |website=Variety |access-date=20 May 2024}}{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/ea-purchasing-glu-mobile-045832340.html | title = EA is purchasing Glu Mobile for $2.4 billion | first = Mariella | last = Moon | date = February 9, 2021 | accessdate = February 9, 2021 | work = Engadget | archive-date = June 11, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210611193908/https://www.engadget.com/ea-purchasing-glu-mobile-045832340.html | url-status = live }} On the same day of the announcement of the deal, it was revealed that the companies expect the acquisition to close in the second quarter of 2021.{{Cite web|date=February 8, 2021|title=Electronic Arts acquires Glu Mobile for $2.4 billion|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/02/08/ea-glu-mobile-deal/|access-date=February 11, 2021|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513133829/https://venturebeat.com/2021/02/08/ea-glu-mobile-deal/|url-status=live}} In April 2021, EA completed the acquisition of Glu Mobile.{{Cite web|title=EA completes $2.4 billion acquisition of Glu Mobile|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/04/29/ea-completes-2-4-billion-acquisition-of-glu-mobile/|website=VentureBeat|first=Dean|last=Takahashi|date=April 29, 2021|access-date=April 29, 2021|archive-date=August 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814153956/https://venturebeat.com/2021/04/29/ea-completes-2-4-billion-acquisition-of-glu-mobile/|url-status=live}} Following the shutdown of EA Sports MLB Tap Sports and F1 Mobile Racing mobile games, EA announced it would lay off "a small number of staff" from Glu Mobile.{{Cite web |last=McEvoy |first=Sophie |date=2024-02-23 |title=EA cutting "small number" of staff as it sunsets two mobile games |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ea-cutting-small-number-of-staff-as-it-sunsets-two-mobile-games |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} Glu Mobile's 2021 Q4 earnings and revenues surpassed estimates.{{cite web |title=Glu Mobile (GLUU) Q4 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates |url=https://nz.news.yahoo.com/finance/news/glu-mobile-gluu-q4-earnings-225510926.html |website=Yahoo News |access-date=14 May 2024}}
Games
{{more citations needed section|date=May 2024}}
{{colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
- 1000: Find 'Em All{{cite news |last1=Buchanan |first1=Levi |title=1000: Find 'Em All Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/12/1000-find-em-all-review |access-date=August 31, 2022 |work=IGN |date=May 9, 2012 |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831212102/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/12/1000-find-em-all-review |url-status=live }}
- 5-Card Draw Poker
- Adidas All-Star Football
- Age of Empires III Mobile
- ALIENS: Unleashed
- Alpha Wing 2
- Amazing Battle Creatures (ABC)
- Ancient Empires
- Ancient Empires II
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force
- Asteroids
- AstroPop
- ATV Off-Road Fury
- Baldur's Gate
- Battleship
- Beat It!
- Big Time Gangsta
- Blackjack Hustler
- Blood & Glory
- Blood & Glory 2: Legend
- Bombshells: Hell's Belles
- Bonsai Blast
- Brain Genius
- Brain Genius 2
- Brain Genius 2 Deluxe
- Brain Genius Deluxe
- Brian Lara International Cricket 2007
- Britney Spears: American Dream
- Bush vs. Kerry Boxing
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Mobile
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Force Recon (based on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2)
- Call of Duty: World at War
- Cannons
- Cannons Tournament
- Car Town
- Centipede
- Chaos Engine
- Chu Chu Rocket
- Cluedo
- Cluedo SFX
- Concentration
- Codename: KND MINIGAMES
- Colin McRae DiRT Mobile
- Cooking Dash
- Contract Killer
- Contract Killer 2
- Contract Killer Sniper
- Contract Killer: Zombies
- Contract Killer: Zombies 2
- Courage the Cowardly Dog: Haunted House
- Cooking Dash
- Crash 'N' Burn
- Crash 'N' Burn Turbo
- Daily Puzzle
- Death Dome
- Deer Hunter
- Deer Hunter 2
- Deer Hunter 3
- Deer Hunter Reloaded
- Deer Hunter 3D
- Deer Hunter Challenge
- Deer Hunter Classic
- Deer Hunter 2018
- Design Home{{cite news |last1=Katz |first1=Leslie |title=This game will make you obsessed with rattan ottomans and watercolor whales |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/design-home-game-has-me-obsessed-with-rattan-ottomans-watercolor-whales/ |access-date=June 7, 2019 |work=CNET |date=September 6, 2018 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607144912/https://www.cnet.com/news/design-home-game-has-me-obsessed-with-rattan-ottomans-watercolor-whales/ |url-status=live }}
- Dexter's Laboratory: Security Alert!
- Digimon Racing
- Diner Dash
- Diner Dash 2: Restaurant Rescue
- Diner Dash 3
- Diner Dash 5: Boom!
- Diner Dash: Flo on the Go
- Diner Dash: Flo Through Time
- Diner Dash: Hometown Hero
- Diner Dash Adventures (App Store){{cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/diner-dash-adventures/id1380831764|title=Diner Dash Adventures|work=iTunes App Store|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706161807/https://apps.apple.com/us/app/diner-dash-adventures/id1380831764|url-status=live}}
- Dino Hunter: Deadly Shores
- Disney Sorcerer's Arena
- Dominoes
- Dragon Island
- Driver 3 (mobile version)
- Driver: Vegas
- Ed, Edd n Eddy: Giant Jawbreakers
- Enchant U
- Eternity Warriors
- Eternity Warriors 2
- Eternity Warriors 3
- everGirl everGems
- Family Feud
- Family Guy: Time Warped
- Family Guy: Uncensored
- Fatal Force: Earth Assault
- Foster's Home: Balloon Bonanza
- FOX Sports Football '06
- Frontline Commando
- Frontline Commando 2
- Frontline Commando: D-Day
- Frontline Commando: WW2 Shooter
- Game of Life
- Gears & Guts
- Gang Lords
- Get Cookin{{'}}
- Glyder
- Glyder 2
- Guitar Hero 5
- Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
- Gun Bros (Windows Phone){{cite web |url=http://www.bestwp7games.com/gun-bros-freemium-dual-stick-xbox-live-shooter.html |title=Gun Bros Freemium dual stick xBox Live shooter |date=July 12, 2012 |publisher=BestWP7Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715064036/http://www.bestwp7games.com/gun-bros-freemium-dual-stick-xbox-live-shooter.html |archive-date=July 15, 2012}}
- Hero Project
- Hercules
- High Heels MahJong: In Her Shoes
- Hog On the Run
- HOYLE 6-in-1 Solitaire Pro
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
- Ice Age: The Meltdown
- Indestructible
- Infected
- Insaniquarium Deluxe
- Inuyasha
- Jamaican Bobsled
- Kasparov Chess
- Kim Kardashian: Hollywood
- Kendall and Kylie
- Katy Perry Pop
- Kingdom of Heaven
- Lemmings
- Lemmings Return
- Lil Kingdom
- LMA Manager 2008 {{Cite web|url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/lma-manager-2008|title=LMA Manager 2008 (J2ME)|access-date=January 30, 2022|archive-date=January 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130124249/https://www.mobygames.com/game/lma-manager-2008|url-status=live}}
- Love a Lemming
- Manchester United Football
- Marc Ecko's Getting Up
- Mech Battalion
- Men vs. Machines
- Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
- MLB Tap Sports Baseball 2018
- MLB Tap Sports Baseball 2019
- MLB Tap Sports Baseball 2020
- MLB Tap Sports Baseball 2021
- Monopoly
- MONOPOLY HERE & NOW
- Monsters vs. Aliens
- Mr. & Mrs. Smith
- Mutant Roadkill
- My Dragon
- Nicki Minaj: The Empire{{Cite web|url=https://time.com/4594262/nicki-minaj-empire-game/|title=Build Your Own Rap Empire with Nicki Minaj's New Mobile Game|access-date=September 19, 2018|archive-date=September 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920032144/http://time.com/4594262/nicki-minaj-empire-game/|url-status=live}}
- Pirates of Everseas{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/glu-mobile-publishing-launches-pirates-120201157.html|title=Glu Mobile Publishing Launches Pirates of Everseas}}
- Project Gotham Racing Mobile
- QuizUp
- Racing Rivals
- Ren & Stimpy Pinball
- Restaurant DASH with Gordon Ramsay
- Reversi
- Robots
- Samurai vs Zombies Defense
- Samurai vs Zombies Defense 2
- Scooby-Doo!: Castle Capers
- Scooby-Doo! 2: Dark Dungeons
- Shadowalker
- SIMON
- Small Street
- Sniper X
- Space Monkey
- Speedball 2 Brutal Deluxe
- Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (DS version)
- Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (DS version)
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Prom of Doom
- Star Blitz
- Stardom: The A-List
- Stardom: Hollywood
- Stranded
- Stranded: Mysteries of Time
- Super KO Boxing 2
- Super KO Boxing!
- Tap Sports Baseball 2015
- Tap Sports Baseball 2016
- Tap Sports Baseball 2017
- Tavern Quest
- The Chaos Engine
- The Flintstones Bedrock Bowling
- The Flintstones: Grocery Hunt
- The Lord of the Rings: Middle-Earth Defense
- The Powerpuff Girls: Bad Mojo
- The Price Is Right
- The Swift Life
- Tom and Jerry: Cheese Chase
- Tom and Jerry: Food Fight
- Tony Hawk: Vert{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/tony-hawk---vert-mobile-tone-launched-worldwide |title=Tony Hawk: Vert launched |access-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616025012/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/tony-hawk---vert-mobile-tone-launched-worldwide |url-status=live }}
- Terminator Genisys: Revolution
- Transformers (based on the film of the same name)
- Transformers G1: Awakening
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
- VBirds
- Virtua Tennis
- Wacky Races
- Watchmen (based on the film of the same name)
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?: Celebrity Edition
- World Series of Poker – Hold'em Legend
- World Series of Poker – Pro Challenge
- World Series of Poker Player Advisor
- World Series of Poker: Texas Hold'em
- Yogi Bear Pic-A-Nic
- Zuma
{{colend}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.glu.com}}
{{Electronic Arts}}
Category:2005 establishments in California
Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions
Category:American companies established in 2005
Category:Companies based in San Francisco
Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq
Category:Electronic Arts subsidiaries
Category:Mobile game companies
Category:Video game companies established in 2005