Company History

Paul Thelen brings Big Fish Games to life as a game development studio. Thelen seeks to renew his childhood passion for game design. He recently left RealNetworks, where he was Group Product Manager responsible for bringing the RealArcade service to market — a launch that defined the casual game industry.

Thelen's first game, Critical Mass, releases 3 months later. Mahjong Towers, the first number 1 hit, follows in August. Twelve more games appear over the next 14 months.

BigFishGames.com distributes its first games from external developers.

Big Fish Games emerges as a top sales channel for game developers.

BigFishGames.com begins offering A New Game Every Day!®. With the acquisition of the Ion Thunder game site, BigFishGames.com adds online web games for social gamers. Big Fish Games Deutschland launches.

Big Fish Games Studios releases the first entry in the award-winning Mystery Case Files™ franchise, Mystery Case Files™: Huntsville.

Big Fish Games Japan launches. In fall, the My Game Space program brings social networking and rewards to Big Fish Games customers.

Goldman Sachs Managing Director Jeremy Lewis joins Big Fish Games as President and COO.

The Principal Network Partner affiliate program offers a new mechanism to increase value for partners and affiliates. Big Fish Games France launches.

Big Fish Games Studios releases Azada™. Mystery Case Files™: Prime Suspects brings home a Zeeby for Best Puzzle Game of 2006. Travelogue 360™ also wins for Best Technology.

Jeremy Lewis is promoted to CEO. Thelen becomes Chairman and CSO.

Big Fish Games Spain launches, followed by a new and improved Big Fish Games Japan.

Big Fish Games and Nintendo partner to release Mystery Case Files™: MillionHeir, the first Hidden Object game for the DS platform. Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst breaks the Big Fish Games record for most games downloaded in 1 day. Hidden Expedition: Everest becomes the first Big Fish Games Studios game released for iPhone.

Big Fish Games secures an $83.3 million common stock financing from Balderton Capital, General Catalyst Partners, and Salmon River Capital designed for global growth and expansion. Big Fish Games relocates to new corporate headquarters on Seattle's waterfront.

Big Fish Games and Harlequin Enterprises announce a licensing agreement that will result in interactive games based on Harlequin novels and novels inspired by Mystery Case Files™.

Faunasphere, a casual MMO designed for social gamers, launches to the public.

Big Fish Games unveils its new European headquarters in Cork, Ireland.