Playphone
{{Short description|Mobile social gaming network}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Playphone
| logo = Playphone Logo New
| caption =
| type = Private
| traded_as =
| genre =
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| foundation = {{Start date|2003|02|06}}
| founder = Ron Czerny
| defunct =
| location_city = San Jose, California
| location_country = United States
| locations =
| area_served = Global
| key_people = Ron Czerny (CEO)
| industry = Mobile phones
Social gaming
| products =
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| aum =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees = 3
| parent = GungHo Online Entertainment
| divisions =
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.playphone.com/|Playphone.com}}
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
Playphone is a mobile gaming platform founded in 2003{{cite web |title=ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF Playphone, Inc. |url=https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/234145191046126182060213104172223021223249071148 |publisher=Secretary of State of the State of California |access-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419193235/https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/234145191046126182060213104172223021223249071148 |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |date=February 6, 2003 |url-status=live}} (merged and re-incorporated in 2006){{cite web |title=CERTIFICATE OF MERGER OF PLAYPHONE, INC. WITH AND INTO PLAYPHONE MERGER SUB, INC. |url=https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/243132153164000131140072247134227034151198255248 |publisher=Secretary of State of the State of California |access-date=19 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419194241/https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/027196182006178013241215012199153249203084090196 |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |date=November 1, 2006 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=STATEMENT AND DESIGNATION BY FOREIGN CORPORATION |url=https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/243132153164000131140072247134227034151198255248 |publisher=Secretary of State of the State of California |access-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419193747if_/https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/243132153164000131140072247134227034151198255248 |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |date=November 16, 2006 |url-status=live}} headquartered in San Jose, California that provides direct-to-consumer mobile content distribution.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-105768270.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611030007/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-105768270.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|title=Renegade firms fish for more revenue: as entertainment content grows in popularity, a few firms are flexing their own muscles and circumventing the carriers to get their products into the hands of consumers|author=Marek, Sue|publisher=Wireless Week|date=July 15, 2003|accessdate=July 31, 2012}} It is funded by Menlo Ventures, Cardinal Venture Capital, and Coral Capital Management, and is a subsidiary of GungHo Online Entertainment.{{cite web |title=PlayPhone, Inc.の株式の取得（子会社化）に関するお知らせ |url=https://ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/3765/tdnet/1187734/00.pdf |publisher=GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419195232/https://ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/3765/tdnet/1187734/00.pdf |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |language=Japanese |date=October 29, 2014 |url-status=live}}
History
Playphone was founded on February 6, 2003 by Ron Cznerny in Campbell, California, later moving to San Jose.{{cite web |title=STATEMENT OF INFORMATION |url=https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/166194126056063172171002091234065206086117204076 |publisher=Secretary of State of the State of California |access-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419200440if_/https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/166194126056063172171002091234065206086117204076 |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |date=January 24, 2005 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=STATEMENT OF INFORMATION |url=https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/037112187013221152105042037248118185158144105209 |publisher=Secretary of State of the State of California |access-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419200546if_/https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/037112187013221152105042037248118185158144105209 |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |date=March 22, 2006 |url-status=live}} The company initially sold pre-paid phone cards offering two mobile games, two polyphonic ringtones, and two wallpaper options. Early partners included Digital Bridges, offering access to game titles including Lara Croft Tomb Raider, and Disney's The Lion King.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-121802641.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611030010/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-121802641.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|title=Selling content through kiosks & cards: the wireless phone may be the primary purveyor of mobile games and ringtones, but some retailers are exploring alternative ways for consumers to buy content|author=Marek, Sue|publisher=Wireless Week|date=September 1, 2004|accessdate=July 31, 2012}}
In September 2006, Playphone raised $9.1 million dollars in Series B funding from Menlo Ventures and Cardinal Venture Capital.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-128224860.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414023600/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-128224860.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 14, 2016|title=PlayPhone Secures $9.1 Million in Series B Financing|publisher=Wireless News|date=September 1, 2006|accessdate=July 31, 2012}} That same month, Playphone partnered with RealNetworks to launch a subscription-based service (adapted from its RealArcade service) providing more games, ringtones, and wallpapers for mobile phones.{{Cite web |url=http://www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2006/real_playphone.html |title=RealNetworks Launches RealArcade Mobile Content Site with PlayPhone|website=real.com|publisher=RealNetworks|date=September 13, 2006|access-date=September 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902144740/http://www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2006/real_playphone.html |archive-date=September 2, 2007 |url-status=dead }}
In May 2007, Playphone secured Series C funding of $18.75 million dollars from Scale Venture Capital, which was used to facilitate expansion into Latin America.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-139355757.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308195839/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-139355757.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2016|title=PlayPhone Secures $18.75 Million in Series C Funding|publisher=Wireless News|date=May 11, 2007|accessdate=July 31, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-139956378.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309131742/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-139956378.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2016|title=PlayPhone Expands Mobile Media Brands and Content to South America|publisher=Wireless News|date=May 29, 2007|accessdate=July 31, 2012}}
In May 2008, Playphone acquired Pitch Entertainment Group, a London-based mobile content distributor founded by David Warburton.{{cite web|last1=Duryee|first1=Tricia|url=http://www.moconews.net/entry/419-playphone-will-merge-with-pitch-entertainment-to-get-global-reach/|title=Playphone will merge with Pitch Entertainment to get global reach|publisher=MocoNews.net|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=July 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925075431/http://paidcontent.org/tech/419-playphone-will-merge-with-pitch-entertainment-to-get-global-reach/|archive-date=September 25, 2012|url-status=dead}} The acquisition of Pitch enabled Playphone to expand into 20 countries across Africa, Asia and Europe.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-152422546.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409175119/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-152422546.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 9, 2016|title=PlayPhone Goes Global|publisher=Wireless News|date=May 11, 2008|accessdate=July 31, 2012}} In June, Playphone partnered with Cellufun{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-153421590.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125141819/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-153421590.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2013|title=PlayPhone and Cellufun Sign Pact|publisher=Wireless News|date=June 18, 2008|accessdate=July 31, 2012}} to provide mobile content to its users. Later that year, the company partnered with UK-based Top Up TV to showcase its mobile content in a Playphone-branded TV channel{{cite web |last1=Kemp |first1=Ed |title=Top Up TV signs PlayPhone deal |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/top-tv-signs-playphone-deal/843266?src_site=brandrepublic |website=www.campaignlive.co.uk |publisher=Haymarket Media Group Ltd. |access-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413203807/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/top-tv-signs-playphone-deal/843266?src_site=brandrepublic |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |language=en |date=September 2, 2008 |url-status=live}} and signed new distribution agreements with Virgin Mobile USA{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-154061255.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409175144/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-154061255.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 9, 2016|title=PlayPhone Partners With Virgin Mobile USA|publisher=Wireless News|date=July 8, 2008|accessdate=July 31, 2012}} and Cincinnati Bell.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-189714935.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308213953/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-189714935.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2016|title=PlayPhone and Cincinnati Bell Wireless Ink Content Deal|website=Entertainment Close-up|publisher=Close-Up Media, Inc.|date=November 25, 2008|accessdate=July 31, 2012}}
In 2009, Playphone expanded a previous partnership with media optimization developer Vantrix. As part of the expansion, Playphone integrated the Vantrix Storefront Optimizer into their operations to sell content in the Asian mobile market.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-210390462.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116011644/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-210390462.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2018|title=PlayPhone Joins with Vantrix to Leverage Storefront Optimizer to Support Expansion into Asia|publisher=Entertainment Close-up|date=October 12, 2009|accessdate=July 31, 2012}}
In October 2010, Playphone announced the launch of a new mobile social gaming platform for smartphones and tablets called Playphone Social.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-239394585.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118025834/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-239394585.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 18, 2018|title=PlayPhone launches mobile social gaming platform|publisher=Telecomworldwire|date=October 14, 2010|accessdate=July 31, 2012}} The first game with support for the platform was launched in June 2011- an Android port of their popular iOS game, Playphone Poker.{{cite web |title=PlayPhone[R] Launches Hugely Successful iPhone Poker Game on Android Market |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-258320421.html |website=Telecommunications Weekly |publisher=NewsRX |access-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050417/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-258320421.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |date=June 1, 2011 |url-status=dead}}
In August 2011, Playphone declared a partnership with Perfect World, a Chinese-based mobile gaming company, to distribute the developer's games on Playphone Social.{{cite web |title=PlayPhone enters into strategic agreement with online game developer and operator Perfect World. |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-265300780.html |website=Telecomworldwire |publisher=Normans Media Ltd. |access-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406171849/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-265300780.html |archive-date=April 6, 2016 |date=August 26, 2011 |url-status=dead}} That December, Playphone commercially launched their new gaming network,{{cite web |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |date=December 13, 2011 |title=Exclusive: PlayPhone launches its smartphone social gaming network |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/playphone-launches-its-smarphone-mobile-social-gaming-network/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206184911/https://venturebeat.com/games/playphone-launches-its-smarphone-mobile-social-gaming-network/ |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=GamesBeat |publisher=VentureBeat}} the Playphone Social Gaming Network. To compete with other publishers such as OpenFeint and Ngmoco, Playphone’s new platform featured cross-platform multiplayer in addition to its social elements.{{Cite web |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |date=March 19, 2012 |title=PlayPhone enables instant multiplayer across Android and iOS devices (Exclusive) |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/03/19/playphone-enables-instant-multiplayer-across-android-and-ios-devices/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414202308/https://venturebeat.com/games/playphone-enables-instant-multiplayer-across-android-and-ios-devices/ |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |accessdate=April 14, 2023 |website=GamesBeat |publisher=VentureBeat}}
In March 2012 Playphone acquired SocialHour, a mobile social marketing firm, to strengthen their mobile marketing and distribution expertise in support of the growth and development of the Playphone Social Gaming Network.{{cite web |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |title=PlayPhone buys mobile marketing firm SocialHour for $51.5M (exclusive) |url=https://venturebeat.com/business/playphone-buys-mobile-marketing-firm-socialhour-for-51-5m-exclusive/ |publisher=VentureBeat |access-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127115919/https://venturebeat.com/business/playphone-buys-mobile-marketing-firm-socialhour-for-51-5m-exclusive/ |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |date=March 16, 2012 |url-status=live}}
Playphone’s first carrier app store – Games Portal on Verizon – launched in 2013, coming preloaded on multiple Android devices.{{cite web |last1=Mlot |first1=Stephanie |title=Verizon Pre-Loading Games Portal App on Android Devices |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/verizon-pre-loading-games-portal-app-on-android-devices |website=PCMAG |publisher=Ziff Davis, LLC |access-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923152435/https://www.pcmag.com/news/verizon-pre-loading-games-portal-app-on-android-devices |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |language=en |date=March 26, 2013 |url-status=live}}
In 2015, Playphone launched its store on the now-defunct CyanogenMod mobile operating system.{{cite web |title=Playphone Announces Distribution Partnership With Cyanogen |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/playphone-announces-distribution-partnership-with-cyanogen/83598/ |website=Financial Express |publisher=The Indian Express |access-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420171721/https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/playphone-announces-distribution-partnership-with-cyanogen/83598/ |archive-date=April 20, 2023 |language=en |date=June 13, 2015 |url-status=live}} Later that year, Japanese publisher GungHo Online Entertainment acquired 70% of Playphone’s shares, making it a subsidiary of the company. The acquisition was undertaken in order to expand the reach of both companies into mobile markets in southern Asia.{{cite web |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |title=PlayPhone uses deal with GungHo to expand its mobile game network to Asia |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/playphone-uses-deal-with-gungho-to-expand-its-mobile-game-network-to-asia |website=GamesBeat |publisher=VentureBeat |access-date=April 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420171349/https://venturebeat.com/games/playphone-uses-deal-with-gungho-to-expand-its-mobile-game-network-to-asia/ |archive-date=April 20, 2023 |date=January 21, 2015 |url-status=live}} By late 2018 GungHo had removed any mention of Playphone at its old url, playphone.com.{{cite web |url=http://www.playphone.com/ |title=Building the next generation of mobile gaming |publisher=GungHo |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229142400/http://www.playphone.com/ |archivedate=29 December 2018 |accessdate=24 October 2024}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Playphone}}
Category:Video game companies established in 2003
Category:Companies based in San Jose, California
Category:Mobile phone companies of the United States
Category:Video game companies based in California
Category:Cross-platform mobile software
Category:Mobile game companies
Category:American companies established in 2003
Category:2003 establishments in California
Category:2015 mergers and acquisitions
Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2018