PlayJam

{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}

{{multiple issues|

{{advert|date=July 2012}}

{{primary sources|date=September 2007}}

}}

{{Infobox company

| name = PlayJam

| logo = PlayJam Logo, October 2005.gif

| former_name = Static 2358

| industry = Gaming

| founded = April 28, 1997

| defunct = 2023

| founder = Jasper Smith

| hq_location = London, United Kingdom

| website = https://playjam.com/

}}

PlayJam was an interactive casual game network, that is available across digital TV, mobile, and online platforms.iStockAnalyst, 8 January 2010 [http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewarticle/articleid/3768071 Could PlayJam be the Biggest Thing in Gaming?]

The network emerged during the dawn of the digital TV era as a side project of London-based visual media company, Static 2358. Static's artists, designers, and programmers started producing casual games to work on set top boxes. PlayJam, which was launched in 1999 on CanalSat in France and Sky Digital in the UK, is one of the first ever interactive television broadcast channels. PlayJam quickly became one of the highest rated brands on digital TV, delivering interactive television services for clients such as the BBC,BBC, 3 March 2003, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2002/03_march/radio_times_playjam.shtml Static 2358 invites Viewers to Challenge the Experts of Radio Times] Glaxo SmithKline,Campaign, 4 May 2001 [http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/37435/CAMPAIGN-I-Glaxo-SmithKline-place-Aquafresh-ad-Playjam-TVgame/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH Glaxo SmithKline to place Aquafresh ad in PlayJam TV game] pop band Gorillaz,Guardian, 19 February 2003 [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/feb/19/newmedia.broadcasting Gorillaz take to TV with interactive show] ITVNew Media Age, 22 June 2006 {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110929170028/http://www.nma.co.uk/news/itv-launches-world-cup-interactive-quiz-tie-in/28211.article ITV launches World Cup interactive quiz tie-in]}} and Channel 4.

Static and PlayJam were sold to Open TV for $68 million in 2001. The interactive games platform has since appeared on millions of digital TV homes throughout the US,TMCnews, 15 January 2004 [http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2004/jan/1022683.htm PlayJam launches on Echostar's Dish Network to over 7 Million Homes in US ] Europe, Asia and Africa.

Founder Jasper Smith re-acquired Static from Open TV in 2008,Rapid TV News, 7 May 2008 [http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/200805071085/bskyb-a-quarter-of-opentv-revenues.html BSkyB a quarter of Open TV revenues] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720000304/http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/200805071085/bskyb-a-quarter-of-opentv-revenues.html |date=20 July 2011 }} believing the quantum shift to internet connected TVs would allow PlayJam to become one of the world's pre-eminent games networks.Digital Spy, Andrew Laughlin, 26 January 2010 [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a199286/playjam-targets-rebirth-of-interactive-tv.html PlayJam targets the rebirth of interactive TV] Since then, the company has secured distribution deals with Apple, Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Western Digital, and other online gaming platforms to add to its network of digital TV homes around the world and online.itvt, 11 January 2010 [http://www.itvt.com/story/6333/news-round PlayJam announces multiple distribution partners for Connected TV Games Service]{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2011/04/12/playjam-launches-games-on-lgs-smart-tvs/|title=PlayJam launches games on LG's smart TVs|date=12 April 2011}} PlayJam aims to create a 'connected' games network over the next few years, delivering a more integrated and accessible user experience alongside a cross-platform reward scheme to fuel further frequent and loyal usage.{{cite web|url=http://www.screendigest.com/news/playjam_games_portal_now_on_all_lg_ip-connectable_tvs/view.html|title=PlayJam games portal now on all LG IP-connectable TVs – IHS Technology|publisher=screendigest.com}} During the last 5 years, PlayJam has generated over 8 billion downloads from its library of 550 free titles. PlayJam's SDK enables other games developers to publish titles to this platform, most recently Relentless{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34583/Buzz_Developer_Relentless_Signed_For_PlayJam_TV_Games.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511042743/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34583/Buzz_Developer_Relentless_Signed_For_PlayJam_TV_Games.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 May 2011|title=Buzz! Developer Relentless Signed For PlayJam TV Games|first=Frank|last=Cifaldi}} and Puzzler Media.Digital Spy 1 June 2010 [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a222924/playjam-offers-free-games-on-sky.html?rss PlayJam offers free games on Sky]

PlayJam became a founder member of the Connected TV Game Forum, alongside Accedo Broadband, Betfair, Rallypoint and Two Way Media in January 2010.Digital TV Europe, 7 January 2010, [http://www.digitaltveurope.net/news_articles/jan_10/07_jan_10/playjam_launches_connected_games_network PlayJam launches connected games network] Aiming to galvanize a common approach to gaming requirements for connected TV devices including functionality, features, and open standards, the forum's members view online games as a major driver in the multi-platform digital entertainment arena, attracting 38% of Internet users and generating billions of downloads via mobile and digital TV platforms. The Forum believes such games will act as "a prime motivator for consumers to connect their TVs to the Internet."

In October 2011, PlayJam secured $5 million investment from GameStop Digital Ventures, Adobe Ventures, Endeavour Ventures and the Angel CoFund to fuel further growth and capitalize on the smart TV market.Digital Spy, 25 October 2011, [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a347423/playjam-secures-usd5m-in-funding-for-global-expansion.html PlayJam secures $5M funding for global expansion]Venturebeat, 25 October 2011, [https://venturebeat.com/2011/10/25/playjam-5-million-round/ Smart TV gaming startup PlayJam raise $5M round]TechCrunch, 6 September 2013 [https://techcrunch.com/2013/09/06/now-uk-nationwide-the-100m-angel-cofund-is-able-to-super-charge-angel-syndicates/ Now UK Nationwide, The £100M Angel CoFund Is Able To Super-Charge Angel Syndicates] The company has partnered with a number of game developers including GameHouse, First Star Software, Relentless Software, Slingo, and Puzzler to distribute popular titles across its network.paidContent:UK 6 January 2012, [http://paidcontent.co.uk/article/419-connected-tv-bbc-news-on-sony-absolute-on-samsung-playjam-adds-games/ PlayJam adds Games]itvt, 4 October 2011 [http://itvt.com/story/8445/interactive-tv-news-round-vi-playjam-relentless-slingo-roku-target PlayJam, Relentless, Slingo]

In 2013 PlayJam released the now discontinued GameStick.{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Adi |title=GameStick review: the Android console battle is on |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/11/1/5046580/gamestick-review |access-date=7 May 2022 |work=The Verge |date=1 November 2013 |language=en}}

Nowadays, PlayJam is not longer exists, because PlayJam can't surpass PlayStation.