5th Planet Games
5th Planet Games is a Copenhagen-headquartered mobile game publisher that develops and distributes free-to-play titles based on licensed intellectual property — including sports clubs (Real Madrid, PSG), celebrities (Cristiano Ronaldo, Nyjah Huston), and entertainment franchises (Tintin, Vikings, Walking Dead) — across iOS, Android, Facebook Messenger, and Chinese super-apps.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersRocklin, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What 5th Planet Games does
5th Planet Games A/S is a Copenhagen-headquartered mobile game developer and publisher operating as a publicly listed entity on Oslo Axess (ticker: FIVEPG). The company was formed through the October 2018 acquisition of the original Sacramento-based 5th Planet Games studio by Danish Hugo Games A/S for $737K, with the combined entity rebranding to 5th Planet Games A/S in November 2018. The company operates development studios across Copenhagen, Rocklin (California), Berlin, and Nottingham/Leamington (UK), employing between 51 and 100 staff. Its core business model is free-to-play mobile gaming monetized through in-app purchases of virtual currency and virtual items, with a strategic focus on licensed intellectual property — partnering with sports clubs (Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, PSG via Kings of Soccer), entertainment franchises (Tintin via Moulinsart, Vikings via MGM Interactive, The Walking Dead via Skybound), and individual celebrities (Cristiano Ronaldo, Nyjah Huston).
The product portfolio spans multiple mobile game genres and includes legacy community titles (Dawn of the Dragons, historically grossing $27.7M with stated LTV above $2,000), arcade runners (Cristiano Ronaldo: Kick'n'Run with 10M+ downloads), sports simulators (Kings of Soccer franchise), casual match-3 (Tintin Match), and skateboarding/action titles (Nyjah Huston: #Skatelife, Nyjah Huston Casino). Beyond traditional app store distribution on iOS and Android, the company extends reach through Facebook Instant Games on Messenger, WeChat mini-programs in China via partner Sharetimes, and real-money slot/casino games through a long-running B2B partnership with Play'n GO using the Hugo, Hugo 2, and Hugo Goal brands. Leadership transitioned significantly in September 2021 when Skybound Entertainment made a $10.5M strategic investment, installing Mark Stanger (formerly Skybound/Glu Mobile) as CEO and Skybound founder Jon Goldman as Chairman. Capital structure includes a 42M NOK ($5M) strategic financing from Formue Nord A/S in March 2019 explicitly earmarked for M&A-driven growth, alongside the Skybound capital. The strategic posture is acquisition-led: building an IP-licensed mobile game publisher through both organic multi-IP development and inorganic studio/IP acquisitions, with distribution diversifying across Western app stores, Facebook, and Asian super-apps.
5th Planet Games firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 5th Planet Games
- Legal name
- 5th Planet Games A/S
- Website
- https://5thplanetgames.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- 5th Planet Games is a Copenhagen-headquartered mobile game publisher that develops and distributes free-to-play titles based on licensed intellectual property — including sports clubs (Real Madrid, PSG), celebrities (Cristiano Ronaldo, Nyjah Huston), and entertainment franchises (Tintin, Vikings, Walking Dead) — across iOS, Android, Facebook Messenger, and Chinese super-apps.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
5th Planet Games industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Gaming
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Social/UGC & Sandbox Game Studios (Roblox-like) (MPAFAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- PC & Console Game Distribution Platforms (BPAMAKAA), Fantasy Sports Communities & Social Platforms (MPAEAHAH)
Keywords
Where 5th Planet Games is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rocklin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
5th Planet Games business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Free-to-Play Virtual Goods: Players can purchase virtual currency and virtual in-game items with real world money. The provision of Virtual Items for use in games is a service that commences immediately upon acceptance of purchase.
- IP Licensing and Partnerships: Revenue generated through licensing agreements with IP holders including sports clubs, celebrities, and entertainment franchises. The company secures milestone payments and revenue shares from these partnerships.
- Strategic Partner Payments: Chinese strategic partner Sharetimes Ltd provides milestone payments for localization and distribution of games in the Chinese market.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-play with in-game purchases |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
5th Planet Games product offering
Product offeringCore offering
5th Planet Games A/S is a multi-platform mobile game developer and publisher that finds, finances, and publishes games for iOS, Android, PC, and Facebook platforms. The company specializes in developing community-based mobile games using both owned IP (such as the Hugo Troll franchise) and licensed IP from major sports clubs, celebrities, and entertainment franchises. Their portfolio spans multiple genres including community-based RPGs (Dawn of the Dragons), sports games (Kings of Soccer), branded endless runners (Cristiano Ronaldo: Kick'n'Run, Nyjah Huston #Skatelife), and match-3 puzzle games (Tintin Match).
Product overview
5th Planet Games A/S (OMX: FIVEPG) is a multi-platform mobile game developer and publisher operating across iOS, Android, Facebook, Kartridge (Kongregate), and online casino platforms. The company specializes in developing and publishing games using both owned intellectual properties (such as the Hugo Troll franchise) and licensed IPs from major entertainment brands. The product portfolio spans multiple game genres including: sports games featuring licensed soccer clubs (Kings of Soccer with FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool, PSG, Arsenal, and others), branded sports titles with athletes (Cristiano Ronaldo: Kick'n'Run, Nyjah Huston #Skatelife), community-based RPGs (Dawn of the Dragons series), match-3 puzzle games (Tintin Match developed with Moulinsart), slot games developed with Play'n GO (Hugo, Hugo 2, Hugo Goal), and licensed IPs (Doodle Jump sequel, Vikings TV series game). The company was formerly known as Hugo Games (OMX: HUGO) before rebranding to 5th Planet Games in November 2018 following the acquisition of the Sacramento-based studio of the same name. The company maintains development studios in Copenhagen (headquarters), Berlin, and Rocklin, CA.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dawn of the Dragons Community-based social RPG and one of the best-selling games on Kongregate platform. Grossed over $27.7 million USD with 6.1+ million downloads and achieved lifetime value of $2,000+ per player in top 10% of players.
- Dawn of the Dragons: Ascension Strategic grid-based combat RPG and official sequel to Dawn of the Dragons. Features rich narrative, guild-focused gameplay, new characters, enemies, and locations. Free-to-play.
- Kings of Soccer Action-packed mobile soccer game featuring licensed clubs including FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool, PSG, Arsenal, Dortmund, Porto, AS Monaco, AS Roma, and Benfica. Allows real-time PvP competitions with superstar footballers. Downloaded 1.5+ million times.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Kick'n'Run 3D endless runner mobile game featuring Cristiano Ronaldo. Downloaded over 10 million times globally with 4.7/5 rating on App Store. Extended partnership with Ronaldo.
- Nyjah Huston #Skatelife Endless runner mobile game featuring world champion skateboarder Nyjah Huston. Set in Venice Beach, California. Downloads exceeded 170,000 within first month.
- Nyjah Huston Casino Game Casino-style online slot game featuring Nyjah Huston, developed and distributed in partnership with Play'n GO. Features recognizable 3D artwork from Nyjah Huston #Skatelife. Distributed internationally.
- Tintin Match Story-driven match-3 puzzle mobile game based on The Adventures of Tintin comic book series by Hergé. Features iconic characters and locations from the 24 Tintin albums. Free-to-play with global launch.
- Hugo Troll Race 2 An endless runner mobile game featuring Hugo the Troll. Sequel to the original Hugo Troll Race with 5 million+ downloads. Features character customization, competitive leaderboards, and new dynamic environments.
- Hugo (Slot Game) A 5-reel, 10-payline slot game developed by Play'n GO featuring Hugo the Troll. Based on the popular 90s animated video game character. Includes bonus rounds and free spin features.
- Hugo 2 (Slot Game) Slot sequel developed by Play'n GO featuring Hugo the Troll. Five-reel railway-themed game with wild symbols, free spins, and bonus rounds.
- Hugo Goal (Slot Game) A 3-reel soccer-themed slot game developed by Play'n GO featuring Hugo the Troll. Third game in the Hugo slot series, timed to release ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
- Vikings Mobile Game Mobile game based on the Vikings television series produced by MGM Interactive. Part of company's strategy to expand popular TV IP into gaming.
Quantifiable outcome
- Dawn of the Dragons grossed $27.7 million USD from 6.1+ million downloads
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use 5th Planet Games
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
5th Planet Games technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
5th Planet Games partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and strategic.
- Scanavominor5th Planet Games announced a partnership with Scanavo. Details of the partnership are limited but represents a strategic collaboration for the company.
- MoulinsartcoreLicensing agreement with Moulinsart (owner of Tintin IP) to create mobile games based on original Tintin stories, characters and mysteries. Tintin Match is the first mobile game built on contents of original Tintin books. Moulinsart actively contributed to artistic realization of game interface, sprites and characters.
- Play'n GOcorePartnership with Swedish slot game supplier Play'n GO for developing and distributing Nyjah Huston casino-style game. Play'n GO has proven track record in online casino gaming and provides omni-channel solution for HTML5 games. Agreement covers leading markets for online slot games in UK, Germany and Nordics.
- Kongregate/KartridgecoreExclusive one-month launch agreement for Dawn of the Dragons: Ascension on Kartridge platform in August 2019. Kongregate is an American mobile, PC and Console publisher with more than 15 million active portfolio players and 100 million game downloads. Mobile version launched September 30, 2019 on Google Play and Apple App Store.
- MGM InteractivecorePartnership with MGM Interactive to create a mobile game based on the Vikings television show. The Vikings-themed Clash of Clans has been a top-grossing mobile game, making this a strategic IP expansion opportunity.
- Sharetimes LtdstrategicChinese strategic partner responsible for localization and distribution of Cristiano Ronaldo: Kick'n'Run game on the Chinese market. Provides milestone payments as development and launch milestones are achieved.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
5th Planet Games competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- King (Activision Blizzard): King is the maker of Candy Crush and the dominant casual mobile puzzle game publisher, with Berlin studio where 5th Planet's Berlin Studio Lead Moritz Voss previously built the Match 3 portfolio. Direct comparability in Match 3 mobile mechanics, owned IP strategy, and multi-platform publishing.
- Zynga (Take-Two Interactive): Zynga is a major mobile social game publisher with franchises like Words With Friends and FarmVille, now owned by Take-Two. Comparable freemium mobile social/community game model and emphasis on licensed IP partnerships (Zynga Poker, CSR Racing).
Direct peers
- Playtika: Playtika is a publicly-traded mobile game publisher focused on casual and casino-style games with freemium monetization. Highly comparable business model to 5th Planet's free-to-play virtual goods + slot game distribution (Hugo series via Play'n GO) approach.
- Rovio Entertainment: Rovio is the creator of Angry Birds and a publicly-traded mobile game studio that built a global brand from a single owned IP, then expanded into licensed and casual titles. Comparable IP-led mobile gaming model and small-mid-cap public profile on Nordic exchanges.
- Scopely: Scopely is a mobile game publisher that has built hits around major licensed IPs including Marvel Strike Force, Star Trek Fleet Command, and WWE Champions. Direct comparability in IP-licensed mobile game publishing, freemium monetization, and multi-platform distribution.
- Jam City: Jam City is a mobile game developer and publisher with a portfolio that includes licensed IP games (Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Disney Frozen) and original titles. Directly comparable in licensed-IP mobile game publishing strategy.
- Outfit7: Outfit7 is the creator of the Talking Tom franchise and a mobile game publisher built around an owned IP that has been expanded across games, animation, and licensing. Comparable owned-IP-driven mobile game publisher model with global brand recognition.
- Hutch Games: Hutch is a London-based mobile game studio specializing in racing and sports-themed casual games (F1 Clash, Rebel Racing, Top Drives). Directly comparable in licensed sports IP mobile games (akin to Kings of Soccer) and freemium monetization.
- Tilting Point: Tilting Point is a mobile game publisher that partners with studios to publish, market, and operate free-to-play mobile games, including licensed-IP titles. Directly comparable publishing model focused on UA, live-ops, and multi-platform distribution for partner-developed games.
Regional players
- Play'n GO: Play'n GO is a Swedish online casino game supplier that develops and distributes slot games. 5th Planet's Hugo-themed slot games are developed and distributed by Play'n GO, making them both a technology partner and a relevant comparable in the slot-game distribution business into UK/Germany/Nordics regulated markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
5th Planet Games social profiles
Digital presence5th Planet Games financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
5th Planet Games leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
5th Planet Games subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
5th Planet Games funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
5th Planet 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 5th Planet Games
What does 5th Planet Games do?
5th Planet Games A/S is a multi-platform mobile game developer and publisher that finds, finances, and publishes games for iOS, Android, PC, and Facebook platforms. The company specializes in developing community-based mobile games using both owned IP (such as the Hugo Troll franchise) and licensed IP from major sports clubs, celebrities, and entertainment franchises. Their portfolio spans multiple genres including community-based RPGs (Dawn of the Dragons), sports games (Kings of Soccer), branded endless runners (Cristiano Ronaldo: Kick'n'Run, Nyjah Huston #Skatelife), and match-3 puzzle games (Tintin Match).
Is 5th Planet Games a public or private company?
5th Planet Games is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was 5th Planet Games founded?
5th Planet Games was founded in 2009. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is 5th Planet Games based?
5th Planet Games is headquartered in Rocklin, United States, in the North America region.
How does 5th Planet Games make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Free-to-Play Virtual Goods are the primary driver. The others are IP Licensing and Partnerships and strategic Partner Payments.
Who are 5th Planet Games's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are King (Activision Blizzard) and Zynga (Take-Two Interactive). Direct peers are Playtika, Rovio Entertainment, Scopely, Jam City, Outfit7, Hutch Games and Tilting Point. Play'n GO is listed as a regional player.
Does 5th Planet Games have an API?
No public API is recorded for 5th Planet Games.
What industry is 5th Planet Games in?
5th Planet Games's product category is Mobile Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAF, Social/UGC & Sandbox Game Studios (Roblox-like), with a secondary code of BPAMAKAA, PC & Console Game Distribution Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7900.