Small Giant Games
Small Giant Games is a Helsinki-based mobile game studio developing puzzle-RPG titles, primarily Empires & Puzzles, a match-3 RPG with social multiplayer. Founded in 2013 and acquired by Zynga in 2019 (now under Take-Two Interactive), it serves millions of global freemium players.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Small Giant Games does
Small Giant Games is an independent mobile game development studio headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 2013. The studio builds puzzle-RPG mobile titles, with its flagship product, Empires & Puzzles, combining match-3 puzzle mechanics with epic PvE quests, base building, hero collection, and competitive PvP duels. A second title, Puzzle Combat, launched in 2020, extends the portfolio with a faster-paced, squad-based puzzle RPG featuring weapon crafting and a Battle Pass system (Path of Valor). The studio emphasises small, low-hierarchy teams, a data-driven culture, and accessible-yet-deep gameplay designed to retain players over multi-year horizons.
The company operates a freemium mobile-first go-to-market model. Empires & Puzzles is distributed globally through the iOS App Store and Google Play, with a dedicated web store extending the brand into merchandise sales. Players download and play for free; monetisation comes from in-app purchases of virtual currency, premium items, and Battle Pass progression. The studio's audience consists of mobile gamers seeking social, cooperative, and competitive experiences that can function as long-term hobbies rather than short-session casual play.
Small Giant Games was acquired by Zynga in April 2019 and now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary under Zynga, itself owned by Take-Two Interactive. Prior to the acquisition, the company raised approximately $50.5M in equity funding across four rounds (2013–2018), with investors including EQT Ventures, Creandum, PROfounders Capital, and Spintop Ventures. Leadership includes Jose Saarniniemi (CEO), Timo Soininen (Co-founder and prior CEO), and Mikko Wilkman (CTO). The studio employs 101–250 people distributed internationally and was certified as a Great Place to Work in 2023 with 99% employee satisfaction.
Small Giant Games firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Small Giant Games
- Legal name
- Small Giant Games
- Website
- https://smallgiantgames.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Small Giant Games is a Helsinki-based mobile game studio developing puzzle-RPG titles, primarily Empires & Puzzles, a match-3 RPG with social multiplayer. Founded in 2013 and acquired by Zynga in 2019 (now under Take-Two Interactive), it serves millions of global freemium players.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Small Giant Games industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Gaming
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (33993)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios (MPAFAAAK)
Keywords
Where Small Giant Games is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Helsinki
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Small Giant Games business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- In-App Purchases: Freemium mobile game model where players download free and purchase virtual goods, premium currency, battle passes, and other in-game items
- Merchandise Sales: Web store sales of merchandise related to company games
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-play with optional in-app purchases |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Small Giant Games product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Small Giant Games develops and operates free-to-play mobile puzzle RPG games for a global audience. Its flagship title Empires & Puzzles combines match-3 puzzle gameplay with RPG progression, base building, PvE quests, and competitive PvP duels. The studio also offers Puzzle Combat, a fast-paced squad-based puzzle RPG featuring weapon crafting, base construction, and a Battle Pass system.
Product overview
Small Giant Games is a mobile game developer offering a portfolio of two distinct puzzle-RPG titles. The core products are Empires & Puzzles (a match-3 RPG with base building and PvP) and Puzzle Combat (a fast-paced squad-based puzzle RPG). Both games emphasize accessible gameplay with deep social experiences. The company operates from Helsinki, Finland, and has been building mobile games since 2013.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Empires & Puzzles: An RPG combining match-3 puzzles, epic PvE quests, base building, and thrilling PvP duels.
- Puzzle Combat
Products and services
- Empires & Puzzles A mobile RPG combining match-3 puzzles, epic PvE quests, base building, and PvP duels, designed as an accessible fantasy adventure for a broad audience of mobile gamers.
- Puzzle Combat A fast-paced, story-based puzzle RPG where players battle waves of enemies using tactical match-3 mechanics, with squad building, base construction, weapon crafting, and a Battle Pass system.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% employee satisfaction rate in 2023 GPTW survey
Companies that use Small Giant Games
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Small Giant Games technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Small Giant Games partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Small Giant Games competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rovio Entertainment: Rovio (Angry Birds franchise, now owned by SEGA) is another Finnish mobile game developer. Comparable in terms of geographic base, mobile-first casual audience, and freemium monetization, though its IP is more character/IP-driven than RPG-driven.
- King: King (owned by Activision Blizzard/Microsoft) is the dominant match-3 mobile game developer behind Candy Crush Saga. It is the most direct comparable to Small Giant's match-3 RPG formula, serving the same mobile-gamer segment with similar freemium IAP mechanics.
- Supercell: Supercell is a Helsinki-based mobile game studio (Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars) owned by Tencent. Comparable as a Finnish mobile-first game studio with small-team culture, freemium IAP model, and globally distributed live games.
- Peak Games: Peak Games (owned by Zynga/Take-Two) develops match-3 puzzle games (Toon Blast, Toy Blast). Closely comparable to Small Giant's core match-3 mechanics and target audience, and now a corporate sibling under Take-Two.
- Playrix: Playrix develops match-3 puzzle games (Gardenscapes, Homescapes) with narrative and meta-progression layered onto the core puzzle loop. Closely comparable to Small Giant's hybrid puzzle-RPG design philosophy and target audience.
- Moon Active: Moon Active is the developer behind Coin Master, one of the top-grossing mobile games worldwide. Comparable as a mobile-first live-ops-driven studio with strong social/multiplayer loops and freemium monetization at global scale.
- Wooga: Wooga (owned by Playtika) develops story-driven puzzle games (June's Journey, Pearl's Peril). Comparable as a mobile puzzle-RPG hybrid developer serving similar casual-but-engaged demographics.
- Scopely: Scopely develops mobile games including Monopoly GO and Stumble Guys, operating live-ops-driven freemium titles with social/multiplayer mechanics. Comparable as a mobile studio with hit-driven portfolio and similar live-ops sophistication.
Broad incumbents
- Playtika: Playtika is a broader mobile gaming publisher (Bingo Blitz, Slotomania, Wooga). Comparable as a publicly-listed mobile gaming operator with a portfolio approach to casual/social game genres that overlap with Small Giant's audience.
- Zynga: Zynga is the parent company of Small Giant Games (acquired 2019) and a Take-Two subsidiary. Comparable as the broader social/mobile gaming publisher whose portfolio (Words With Friends, Zynga Poker, CSR) overlaps with Small Giant's mobile social-casual space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Small Giant Games social profiles
Digital presenceSmall Giant Games financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Small Giant Games leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Small Giant Games funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Small Giant Games M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Small Giant Games
What does Small Giant Games do?
Small Giant Games develops and operates free-to-play mobile puzzle RPG games for a global audience. Its flagship title Empires & Puzzles combines match-3 puzzle gameplay with RPG progression, base building, PvE quests, and competitive PvP duels. The studio also offers Puzzle Combat, a fast-paced squad-based puzzle RPG featuring weapon crafting, base construction, and a Battle Pass system.
Is Small Giant Games a public or private company?
Small Giant Games is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Small Giant Games founded?
Small Giant Games was founded in 2013. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Small Giant Games based?
Small Giant Games is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Small Giant Games make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. In-App Purchases are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales.
Who are Small Giant Games's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rovio Entertainment, King, Supercell, Peak Games, Playrix, Moon Active, Wooga and Scopely. Broad incumbents are Playtika and Zynga.
Does Small Giant Games have an API?
No public API is recorded for Small Giant Games.
What industry is Small Giant Games in?
Small Giant Games's product category is Mobile Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAK, Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 33993 and its SIC code is 3944.