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HandyGames

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
www.handy-games.com GmbH
HandyGames
Company type
Subsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedApril 25, 2000; 26 years ago (2000-04-25)[1]
Founders
  • Christopher Kassulke
  • Markus Kassulke
  • Udo Bausewein
Headquarters,
Germany
ProductsTownsmen
Number of employees
80[2] (2024)
ParentTHQ Nordic (2018–present)
SubsidiariesMassive Miniteam
Websitehandy-games.com

www.handy-games.com GmbH[3] (trade name: HandyGames) is a German video game developer and publisher based in Giebelstadt. In July 2018, the company was acquired by THQ Nordic.

History

[edit]

The company was founded in 2000 by brothers Christopher and Markus Kassulke along with Udo Bausewein. In 2006, HandyGames released its first free, ad-funded game and began the gradual transition to a largely ad-funded business model. Since 2010, all new HandyGames mobile titles are either free or freemium. By 2014 HandyGames had 150,000 app downloads per month and more than 100 million downloads in total.[4] They have developed all the Townsmen games.

In 2012, HandyGames expanded onto other platforms like PC or Smart TVs. In January 2014 and 2015, the company were main sponsors for the "HandyGames Charity Day" in Würzburg, which aimed to raise funds for cancer research. On both occasions the event was able to raise roughly 50000 Euros.[5][6]

HandyGames was one of the first companies to launch games for wearable technology in 2014.[7] The games are compatible with Android Wear devices, including the Moto 360 by Motorola, the Huawei Watch, the Sony SmartWatch and the LG G Watch.[8]

The company began developing VR (virtual reality) games 2015 and released titles like "Hidden Temple – VR Adventure".[9] They can be played in 360° mode or in VR using one of the supported head-mounted displays like Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, or Google Cardboard.[10] Simultaneously, HandyGames began developing games for the Eighth generation of video game consoles like the PlayStation 4, Xbox One[11] or later the Nintendo Switch.

Developer interview livestream

On 9 July 2018, THQ Nordic announced that it had acquired HandyGames and all of its intellectual property. THQ Nordic said that the studio management and all employees remain with the company.[12][13]

Townsmen Expeditions (working title), which will mark the most recent entry in the Townsmen IP, received €150,000 development funding from Creative Europe.[14] As of 2020, HandyGames employs 60 people.[15]

In May 2021, Embracer Group announced the acquisition of Massive Miniteam by HandyGames, which will be fully integrated within the HandyGames organization, under the operative group THQ Nordic.[16]

Awards

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Games

[edit]
Title Platform Release date Developer Ref(s)
Townsmen Java 2003 HandyGames
Android August 3, 2013
Nintendo Switch November 9, 2018
Townsmen 2 Java 2003
Townsmen 3 Java 2005
Sexy Puzzle 2 Java 2006 [18]
Porn Manager Java 2006 [19]
Bulldozer Inc. Java 2006 [20]
Townsmen 4 Java 2007
Porn Manager 2 Java 2007 [21]
Townsmen 5 Java 2008
The Egyptians Java 2008 [22]
4 in a Wheel Java 2008 [23]
AD 1066 – William the Conqueror Java 2008 [24]
The Great Bible Game Java 2008 [25]
Romans and Barbarians Java 2008 [26]
Little Firefighter Java 2008 [27]
Sexy Twins 1 Java 2008 [28]
Townsmen 6 Revolution Java 2009
Android February 4, 2011
The Great Beer Quiz Java 2009 [29]
World of Dice Java 2009 [30]
Porn Tycoon Java 2010 [31]
Casino Crime Java 2010 [32]
Shark or Die Java 2010 [33]
Guns 'n' Glory Java 2010 [34]
Truth or Lies iPhone February 15, 2011 [35][36]
Romans and Barbarians Gold Java 2011 [37]
The Egyptians Gold Java 2011 [38]
Cyberlords: Arcology Java 2011 [39][40]
Android
Clouds and Sheep Android 2011 [41]
iOS
Guns 'n' Glory WW2 Android 2011 [42]
iOS
Aporkalypse: Pigs of Doom Java 2011 [43][44]
Android
Happy Vikings Android 2011 [45]
1941 Frozen Front Android, iOS 2013
Aces of the Luftwaffe: Squadron Microsoft Windows July 24, 2018
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - Owltimate Edition Nintendo Switch September 28, 2018 Black Forest Games
Aces of the Luftwaffe: Squadron - Nebelgeschwader Microsoft Windows November 13, 2018 HandyGames
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Jagged Alliance: Rage! Microsoft Windows December 6, 2018 Cliffhanger Productions
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Clouds & Sheep 2 Nintendo Switch December 21, 2018 HandyGames
Dynamite Fishing: World Games Nintendo Switch December 21, 2018
Stunt Kite Party Nintendo Switch February 8, 2019
Microsoft Windows June 7, 2019 HandyGames
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Rad Rodgers: Radical Edition Nintendo Switch February 26, 2019 Slipgate Studios
Townsmen: A Kingdom Rebuilt Microsoft Windows February 26, 2019 HandyGames
PlayStation 4 February 20, 2020
Xbox One
SpellForce: Heroes & Magic Android April 26, 2019 Hex Games
iOS
ChessFinity Android July 4, 2019 Orkitec
iOS
Battle Chasers: Nightwar - Mobile Edition Android August 1, 2019 Airship Syndicate
iOS
This Is the Police 2 Android September 12, 2019 Weappy
iOS
Lock's Quest Android September 26, 2019 Digital Continue
iOS
Little Big Workshop Macintosh October 17, 2019 Mirage Game Studios
Microsoft Windows
Xbox One September 24, 2020 Massive Miniteam
PlayStation 4
Nintendo Switch October 1, 2020
Through the Darkest of Times Macintosh January 30, 2020 Paintbucket Games
Microsoft Windows
Android May 7, 2020
iOS
Nintendo Switch August 13, 2020
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Stadia
Townsmen: A Kingdom Rebuilt – The Seaside Empire Microsoft Windows February 20, 2020 HandyGames
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Spitlings Stadia Spitlings Massive Miniteam
Aces of the Luftwaffe: Squadron – Extended Edition Android February 28, 2020 HandyGames
iOS
Rebel Cops Android April 23, 2020 Weappy
iOS
Spitlings Microsoft Windows August 4, 2020 Massive Miniteam
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Neighbours back From Hell Microsoft Windows October 8, 2020 FarbWorks
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Stadia
Android August 3, 2021 HandyGames
iOS
Chicken Police: Paint it Red! Microsoft Windows November 5, 2020 The Wild Gentlemen
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Android June 29, 2021 HandyGames
iOS
MacOS November 4, 2021 The Wild Gentlemen
Stadia
PlayStation 5 March 30, 2022
Xbox Series X/S
Little Big Workshop Stadia November 6, 2020 Massive Miniteam
El Hijo: A Wild West Tale Microsoft Windows December 3, 2020 Honig Studios
Stadia
Nintendo Switch March 25, 2021 Quantumfrog
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Android January 25, 2022 HandyGames
iOS
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated Android January 21, 2021 HandyGames
iOS
Titan Quest: Legendary Edition Android February 2, 2021
iOS
Pile Up! Box by Box Microsoft Windows March 18, 2021 Seed by Seed
Nintendo Switch August 17, 2021
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Skydrift Infinity Microsoft Windows July 29, 2021 HandyGames
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
One Hand Clapping Android December 14, 2021 Bad Dream Games
iOS
Microsoft Windows
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Stadia
Xbox Series X/S March 31, 2022
PlayStation 5 April 5, 2022
Scarf Microsoft Windows December 23, 2021 Uprising Studios
Townsmen VR HTC Vive March 24, 2022 HandyGames
Oculus Rift
PlayStation VR
This Is the President Android May 10, 2022 HandyGames
iOS
Endling: Extinction is Forever Microsoft Windows July 19, 2022 Herobeat Studios
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
PlayStation 5 November 3, 2022
Xbox Series X/S
Android TBA
iOS
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Microsoft Windows August 23, 2022 Massive Miniteam
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox One
Xbox Series X/S
Wreckfest Mobile Android November 16, 2022 HandyGames
iOS
Perish Microsoft Windows February 2, 2023 Item 42
De-Exit: Eternal Matters Microsoft Windows April 14, 2023 SandBloom Studio [46]
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Airhead Microsoft Windows TBA Octato
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
A Rat's Quest: The Way Back Home Microsoft Windows TBA The Dreamerians
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Devil and the Fairy HTC Vive TBA HandyGames
Meta Rift
Steam VR
Lethal Honor: Order of the Apocalypse Microsoft Windows TBA Viral Studios
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "8th Birthday". GamesIndustry.biz. 25 April 2008.
  2. ^ Fröhlich, Petra (15 August 2024). "Die größten Games-Studios in Deutschland 2024" [The largest game studios in Germany in 2024]. GamesWirtschaft (in German). Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Legal Notice". HandyGames. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Ins Spiel gebracht: Effektiv werben in Mobile Games von HandyGames". finanzen.ch. February 4, 2014.
  5. ^ "Gummersbach kommt: Großer Handball-Benefiztag für Krebshilfe". mainpost.de. January 17, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  6. ^ "HandyGames Charity Day 2015 – ein voller Erfolg". www.b4bmainfranken.de. February 2, 2015. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  7. ^ "HandyGames' CEO on why he's looking to take a leading role in the world of wearables". Pocket Gamer.biz. August 26, 2014.
  8. ^ "Handy Games on why it's backing smartwatch gaming not VR". Pocket Gamer.biz. November 13, 2014.
  9. ^ "HandyGames released a VR Game on Google Play". www.androidpit.de. January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "Handy Games releases Hidden Temple – VR Adventure for Google Cardboard". www.droidgamers.com. July 30, 2015.
  11. ^ "Aces of the Luftwaffe Review – Bogeys Spotted PS4". www.playstationlifestyle.net. March 5, 2015.
  12. ^ "What has 100 legs, is from Germany and has been acquired by THQ Nordic?". THQ Nordic. 9 July 2018.
  13. ^ "THQ Nordic acquires the German game developer and publisher HandyGames". Embracer Group. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  14. ^ "Game Play mit MEDIA – siebenstelliger Rekord für deutsche Projekte". www.creative-europe-desk.de. Creative Europe MEDIA. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  15. ^ Fröhlich, Petra (10 January 2020). "Die größten Spiele-Entwickler in Deutschland 2020" [The largest game developers in Germany 2020]. GamesWirtschaft (in German). Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  16. ^ Romano, Sal (May 11, 2021). "Embracer Group acquires Appeal Studios, KAIKO, Massive Miniteam, and FRAME BREAK, establishes Gate21". Gematsu. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  17. ^ "HandyGames". Deutscher Entwicklerpreis. 11 November 2019. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
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  20. ^ Thomson, John (November 23, 2006). "Bulldozer Inc". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011.
  21. ^ Furfie, Ben (February 16, 2007). "Porn Manager 2". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007.
  22. ^ James, Chris (May 9, 2008). "The Egyptians". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021.
  23. ^ Williams, Andrew (October 9, 2008). "4 in a Wheel". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on October 10, 2008.
  24. ^ Spencer, Spanner (December 19, 2008). "AD 1066". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008.
  25. ^ Williams, Andrew (December 22, 2008). "The Great Bible Game". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008.
  26. ^ Mundy, Jon (December 19, 2008). "Romans and Barbarians". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008.
  27. ^ Brice, Kath (October 15, 2008). "Little Firefighter". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009.
  28. ^ Williams, Andrew (16 October 2008). "Sexy Twins 1". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 18 October 2008.
  29. ^ Williams, Andrew (January 2, 2009). "The Great Beer Quiz". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019.
  30. ^ Andrew, Keith (January 15, 2009). "World of Dice". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009.
  31. ^ Wilson, Will (October 15, 2010). "Porn Tycoon". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on October 19, 2010.
  32. ^ Andrew, Keith (September 29, 2010). "Casino Crime". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on October 4, 2010.
  33. ^ Wilson, Will (July 27, 2010). "Shark or Die". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on July 29, 2010.
  34. ^ Mundy, Jon (June 29, 2010). "Guns 'n' Glory". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on June 30, 2010.
  35. ^ "Truth or Lies for iOS (iPhone/iPad) - GameFAQs". gamefaqs.gamespot.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  36. ^ "Truth or Lies". NowGaming. February 15, 2011. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  37. ^ Wilson, Will (March 29, 2011). "Romans vs Barbarians Gold". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011.
  38. ^ Andrew, Keith (March 25, 2011). "The Egyptians Gold". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011.
  39. ^ Andrew, Keith (January 24, 2011). "Cyberlords: Arcology". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on January 25, 2011.
  40. ^ Lee, Matthew (April 6, 2011). "Cyberlords: Arcology". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on April 14, 2011.
  41. ^ Wilson, Will (August 9, 2011). "Hands-on with Clouds and Sheep for Android, iPhone". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021.
  42. ^ Wilson, Will (August 3, 2011). "Hands-on with Guns 'n' Glory WW2 for Android, iPhone". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021.
  43. ^ Andrew, Keith (January 4, 2011). "Aporkalypse: Pigs of Doom". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011.
  44. ^ Caldwell, Brendan (March 17, 2011). "Aporkalypse: Pigs of Doom". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on March 21, 2011.
  45. ^ Caldwell, Brendan (June 10, 2011). "Happy Vikings". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021.
  46. ^ "De-Exit: Eternal Matters". IGN.
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