The Big Fish Games Story
Big Fish Games came to life in May 2002 as a game development studio. Prior to starting Big Fish Games, founder Paul Thelen worked at RealNetworks as the Group Product Manager responsible for bringing the RealArcade service to market, a launch that helped shape the emerging casual games market.
Big Fish Games dedicated itself to the casual gamer. In its first 14 months, the company developed 12 games, many that would become best sellers. In fall of 2003, the Big Fish Games web portal began distributing games developed by partners. Within three years, BigFishGames.com rocketed into the Top 10 game portals on the web.
In 2005, Big Fish Games Studios debuted Mystery Case Files™: Huntsville. Huntsville not only launched the Mystery Case Files™ franchise, but also the popular Hidden Object game genre. True to its game development roots, Big Fish Games Studios continues to develop innovative, creative games for a variety of platforms. Other hit game franchises from Studios include Azada™, Mahjong Towers Eternity™, Fairway Solitaire, Big Fish Slots, and Hidden Expedition™.
Today, Big Fish Games is the market leader in the evolving casual games industry and the world’s leading online destination for games and interactive entertainment. BigFishGames.com drives over a million downloads per day and 25 million unique visitors per month. BigFishGames.com also hosts online games and a thriving online game community. In July 2008, the company relocated to new corporate headquarters on the Seattle waterfront near the Sculpture Park and Myrtle Edwards Park.
In September 2008, Big Fish Games received an $83.3 million common stock financing from Balderton Capital, General Catalyst Partners, and Salmon River Capital that uniquely positions the company for growth and global expansion. Read the official press release.
May 2002Paul Thelen founds Big Fish Games.
July 2002Big Fish Games debuts with the launch of Critical Mass. Mahjong Towers, the first number 1 hit by Big Fish Games, follows in August.
September 2003The Big Fish Games web portal, www.BigFishGames.com, distributes games from external developer partners.
January 2005Big Fish Games starts launching A New Game Every Day!™.
April 2005Big Fish Games acquires the Ion Thunder game site and launches its first online web games for community gamers.
June 2005Big Fish Games Deutschland (www.BigFishGames.de) debuts.
November 2005Big Fish Games releases Mystery Case Files™: Huntsville.
February 2006Big Fish Games Japan launches alongside Bobbys Way, a blog by Bobby Valentine.
July 2006Goldman Sachs Managing Director Jeremy Lewis joins Big Fish Games as President and COO.
September 2006My Game Space, a social networking and affiliate program, debuts.
February 2007Principal Network Partner affiliate program launches.
June 2007Big Fish Games Studios releases Azada™
July 2007Mystery Case Files™: Prime Suspects nabs a Zeeby for Best Puzzle Game of 2006. Travelogue 360™ also wins for Best Technology.
September 2007Jeremy Lewis is promoted to CEO. Big Fish Games founder Paul Thelen becomes Chairman and CSO.
November 2007Big Fish Games France (www.BigFishGames.fr) debuts.
March 2008Big Fish Games Spain (www.BigFishGames.es) debuts.
July 2008Big Fish Games relocates to its new corporate headquarters on Seattle's waterfront.
July 2008Paul Thelen is inducted into the Casual Games Hall of Fame. Mystery Case Files™: Madame Fate brings home Zeebys for Best Story and Best Visual Art.
September 2008Big Fish Games and Nintendo release Mystery Case Files™: MillionHeir to the Nintendo DS.
September 2008The new and improved Big Fish Games Japan (www.BigFishGames.jp) debuts.
September 2008Big Fish Games receives an $83.3 million common stock financing from Balderton Capital, General Catalyst Partners, and Salmon River Capital.