FTX Games

American video game publisher

FTX GamesCompany type| Subsidiary

|

Industry| Video games
Founded| 2006; 19 years ago (2006) in Israel
Founder|

* Yaron Leifenberg
* Ilan Graicer

Headquarters|

San Diego

Key people

| Casey Dickinson (CEO)[1]
Products| See § Games
Parent| Tilting Point Media (2020–present)[2]
Website| 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.[3] In July 2020, FTX Games was acquired by Tilting Point Media.[4]

## History

[edit]

Funtactix was founded in Israel in 2006 by Yaron Leifenberg and Ilan Graicer, backed by Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) and Benchmark Capital.[5] 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.[6]

In 2009, the company switched to a Flash and HTML5 platform to create IP-based games. This included a partnership with Paramount,[7] 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.[8] In partnership with Lions Gate Entertainment, Funtactix announced The Hunger Games Adventures in 2012[9] based on The Hunger Games film series. The game was released on Facebook (March 23, 2012), iPad (September 2012), and iPhone (February 7, 2013).[10]

By 2016, Funtactix was acquired by Playtech and officially rebranded as FTX Games.[11] In July 2020, FTX Games was acquired by Tilting Point Media.[12]

## Games

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Platforms  | 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.[13]
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.[14][15][16]
Mission: Impossible - The Game | 2011  | Facebook | The official social network game for the Mission: Impossible film series was launched on November 21, 2011[17] 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[18] 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.[19] The game was then released to the public a week later on March 30, 2012.[20] The Hunger Games Adventures was then released on iPad on September 13, 2012[21][22] 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.[23]
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.[24]
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[25] and then launched on Facebook, Google Play Store and App Store on January 15, 2015[26]
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).[27]
Narcos: Cartel Wars | 2016  | App Store, Google Play | In partnership with Gaumont International Television,[28] Narcos: Cartel Wars, developed by Plamee, is a mobile video game based on the Netflix series Narcos.[29]
Criminal Minds: The Mobile Game | 2018  | App Store, Google Play | The official mobile game based on the CBS show, Criminal Minds[30][31][32] and developed by Netherlands-based developer, Blue Giraffe Games.[33]
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[34] 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.” [35]

## Awards

[edit]

* 2013 Webby – Best Social Game on Tablet and Other Devices[36]
* 2013 Webby – People’s Voice Award[37]
* 2013 Variety – Best Entertainment IP-based Mobile Game[38]
* 2012 Forbes – Top 10 Tech Company in Israel[39]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Wong, Steven. "This Week's Exec Shifts". a.list. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
2. ^ "Tilting Point acquires Plamee Studios and FTX Games assets". venturebeat.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
3. ^ Grubb, Jeff. "Playtech taps Funtactix's Hollywood know-how for its casual games biz". VentureBeat.com. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
4. ^ Takahashi, Dean. "Tilting Point acquires Plamee Studios and FTX Games assets". venturebeat.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
5. ^ Takahashi, Dean. "Funtactix launches cross-platform Moondo gaming universe". VentureBeat.com. Retrieved July 27, 2008.
6. ^ Takahashi, Dean. "Funtactix launches cross-platform Moondo gaming universe". VentureBeat.com. Retrieved July 27, 2008.
7. ^ "Paramount Pictures and Funtactix Release Mission: Impossible The Game Social Experience for Mission: Impossible Movie Fans". PR Newswire. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
8. ^ Gaudiosi, John. "Paramount Enters Online Game Space With 'Rango'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
9. ^ "Lionsgate and Funtactix Announce THE HUNGER GAMES ADVENTURES". Business Wire. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
10. ^ LeFebvre, Rob. "The Hunger Games Adventures 2.0 Updates With iPhone Support, New Content From 'Catching Fire'". Cult of Mac. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
11. ^ "Playtech expands casual games business with Funtactix acquisition". GamingIntelligence.com. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
12. ^ Takahashi, Dean. "Tilting Point acquires Plamee Studios and FTX Games assets". venturebeat.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
13. ^ Takahashi, Dean. "Funtactix launches cross-platform Moondo gaming universe". VentureBeat.com. Retrieved July 27, 2008.
14. ^ Takahashi, Dean. "Funtactix creates a game world for the launch of Rango animated film". VentureBeat. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
15. ^ Caoili, Eric. "Funtactix, Paramount Releasing Rango Online Game With 'The World' Platform". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
16. ^ Alexa, Harrison. "'Rango' range extends online". Variety. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
17. ^ Gaudiosi, John. "Paramount Pictures Launches 'Mission: Impossible' Facebook Game to Promote 'Ghost Protocol'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
18. ^ Osborne, Joe. "New Boyz: The World on Facebook: If the New Boyz came to YoVille..." Aol.com. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
19. ^ "Lionsgate and Funtactix Announce THE HUNGER GAMES ADVENTURES". Business Wire. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
20. ^ Osborne, Joe. "The Hunger Games Adventures are on, open for all March 30". Aol.com. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
21. ^ "The Hunger Games Adventures Review". BusinessInsider.com. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
22. ^ Blum, Matt. "The Hunger Games Adventures for iPad will Immerse you in the World of Panem". Wired. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
23. ^ The League - Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152712394542272. Retrieved September 18, 2014. `{{cite news}}`: Missing or empty `|title=` (help)
24. ^ Shaul, Brandy. "Funtactix, Saban Brands Partner for Power Rangers: Unite on Mobile". Adweek. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
25. ^ Shaul, Brandy. "Funtactix Announces Hot Tub Time Machine: Tap That for Mobile". Adweek. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
26. ^ Dirks, Brent. "Hot Tub Time Machine: Tap That lands on the App Store full of raunchy fun". AppAdvice. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
27. ^ Grubb, Jeff. "Playtech taps Funtactix's Hollywood know-how for its casual games biz". VentureBeat.com. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
28. ^ Spangler, Todd. "'Narcos' Mobile Game Based on Netflix Show Will Let You Run Your Own Drug Cartel". Variety. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
29. ^ Ockerman, Emma. "Now You Can Run Your Own Cartel With Netflix's Narcos Mobile App". Time. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
30. ^ Fahey, Mike. "The Criminal Minds Game Gets Right To The Grisly Bits". Kotaku.com. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
31. ^ Gravelle, Cody. "Criminal Minds: The Mobile Game Will Stay True To The Show". ScreenRant. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
32. ^ Cabral, Matt. "New 'Walking Dead' Mobile Gaming Details Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
33. ^ Sandar, Alec. "Criminal Minds Review". BlueMoon.com. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
34. ^ Cabral, Matt. "New 'Walking Dead' Mobile Gaming Details Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
35. ^ Cabral, Matt. "'Breaking Bad' Mobile Game Will Put Players in the Empire Business". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
36. ^ 2103 Webby Awards[permanent dead link]
37. ^ "2103 Webby Awards". Archived from the original on 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
38. ^ "2013 Variety – Best Entertainment IP-based Mobile Game". Archived from the original on 2013-08-12. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
39. ^ "Forbes – Top 10 Tech Company in Israel". Archived from the original on 2013-10-07. Retrieved 2019-09-05.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website