Z2
Z2 (Madrona Games, Inc.) is a Seattle-based independent mobile game developer and publisher that builds and operates free-to-play titles, primarily Battle Nations (a relaunched strategy/PvP game) and Tank Tactics, serving a global consumer player base through app stores and a Patreon community.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Z2 does
Z2, operating as Madrona Games, Inc., is a Seattle-based mobile game developer and publisher founded in 2008. The studio designs and operates free-to-play (F2P) mobile games, serving a consumer player base rather than enterprise clients. Its two active titles are Battle Nations, a strategy/empire-building game with PvP warfare features, and Tank Tactics, an arcade-style tank-battle game featuring 50+ levels. Battle Nations, previously known as a longer-running franchise, was relaunched as a mobile F2P title in 2024.
The studio's technology and design focus is on cross-platform mobile gameplay with social and PvP mechanics typical of mid-core F2P titles. Z2 maintains the Battle Nations brand under a registered-trademark license from King.com Ltd., which both anchors international rights and indicates a relationship with a major free-to-play publisher. Tank Tactics is published as an internally developed IP.
Z2's revenue mechanics combine standard F2P levers (in-app purchases, advertising) with a direct-to-fan subscription layer: a Patreon program for the Battle Nations community launched in October 2023, followed by a Patreon Merch Showcase in June 2024 that extended the studio into physical merchandise. Customer acquisition and retention are community-driven, with the Patreon program and merchandise signaling an emphasis on engaging dedicated players as a retained, monetizing cohort. Historical funding totals approximately $6.5M across three rounds between 2008 and 2011 (most recently a ~$2.5M raise in March 2011), and the company has operated since without a subsequent disclosed venture capital round.
Z2 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Z2
- Legal name
- Madrona Games, Inc.
- Website
- https://z2.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Z2 (Madrona Games, Inc.) is a Seattle-based independent mobile game developer and publisher that builds and operates free-to-play titles, primarily Battle Nations (a relaunched strategy/PvP game) and Tank Tactics, serving a global consumer player base through app stores and a Patreon community.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Z2 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Gaming
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (33993)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mobile & F2P Game Studios (MPAFAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios (MPAFAAAK)
Keywords
Where Z2 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Z2 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Z2 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Z2, operating as Madrona Games, Inc., develops and publishes free-to-play mobile games that allow players to compete and collaborate in real time. The company currently offers two core titles: Battle Nations, a strategy/empire-building game with PvP warfare, and Tank Tactics, an arcade tank battle game with 50+ hand-crafted levels across three modes. Both games are accessible through the z2.com web platform and mobile devices using a unified Madrona ID account system.
Product overview
Z2 operates as Madrona Games, a game development company offering a portfolio of mobile games. The company provides two core products: Battle Nations (a strategy/empire-building game) and Tank Tactics (an arcade tank battle game). Both products are accessible via the z2.com domain and feature Madrona ID authentication for player accounts. The company also maintains a Patreon program supporting the Battle Nations community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Battle Nations: Build your empire and lead your armies to victory. Manage resources, build a flourishing empire, and assemble armies for PvP warfare using traditional weaponry to mammoths, plasma, and beyond.
- Tank Tactics
Products and services
- Battle Nations A free-to-play mobile strategy game where players build empires, manage resources, and lead armies in real-time PvP warfare using weapons ranging from traditional armaments to mammoths, plasma, and beyond. Accessible via z2.com and mobile, with a unified Madrona ID account and a community Patreon tier.
- Tank Tactics A free-to-play mobile arcade tank battle game featuring over 50 hand-crafted levels and tank upgrades across three modes, designed as a fast-paced competitive experience for mobile players. Accessible via z2.com and the Madrona ID system.
Companies that use Z2
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Z2 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Z2 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Z2 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Supercell: Mobile strategy and PvP (Clash of Clans, Clash Royale) game developer. Operates in the same strategy/PvP mobile genre as Battle Nations and exemplifies the F2P mobile model Z2 depends on.
- Zynga: One of the largest mobile F2P game publishers with a portfolio spanning casual, strategy, and arcade titles. Highly comparable to Z2 on free-to-play mobile mechanics and live-ops approach, but operates at vastly greater scale with a much larger game portfolio.
- King Digital Entertainment: Mobile casual/strategy publisher behind Candy Crush and the registered trademark holder of Battle Nations® in international territories. Directly comparable through the Battle Nations IP licensing relationship and shared F2P mobile distribution.
- Scopely: Mobile F2P publisher (Monopoly GO!, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force). Comparable genre mix (strategy-PvP, casual) and live-ops orientation relative to Z2's mobile portfolio.
Direct peers
- Jam City: Mobile and social F2P game developer (Cookie Jam, Disney Magic Kingdoms). Closely comparable mid-sized mobile strategy/casual studio to Z2's Madrona Games operating model.
- Product Madness: Mobile casino/slots-style game developer. Partial overlap as a mobile F2P live-ops studio, though focused on casino-style titles rather than Z2's strategy and arcade focus.
- Outfit7: Mobile F2P developer behind Talking Tom and other casual-arcade titles. Comparable mobile-first publisher of multiple live F2P games with similar monetization approaches.
- Kabam: Mobile F2P publisher (Marvel Contest of Champions, Disney Mirrorverse). Directly comparable strategy-PvP and long-tail meta-progression live-ops model to Battle Nations.
- Playrix: Mobile F2P developer/publisher specializing in casual and narrative-driven titles (Homescapes, Fishdom). Comparable as a privately held mobile-first studio publishing live F2P titles.
- Rovio Entertainment: Mobile F2P game developer best known for Angry Birds. Comparable as a legacy-IP mobile developer with multiple live titles and similar revenue models to Z2.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Z2 social profiles
Digital presenceZ2 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Z2 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Z2 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Z2 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 Z2
What does Z2 do?
Z2, operating as Madrona Games, Inc., develops and publishes free-to-play mobile games that allow players to compete and collaborate in real time. The company currently offers two core titles: Battle Nations, a strategy/empire-building game with PvP warfare, and Tank Tactics, an arcade tank battle game with 50+ hand-crafted levels across three modes. Both games are accessible through the z2.com web platform and mobile devices using a unified Madrona ID account system.
Is Z2 a public or private company?
Z2 is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Z2 founded?
Z2 was founded in 2008. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Z2 based?
Z2 is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Z2's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Supercell, Zynga, King Digital Entertainment and Scopely. Direct peers are Jam City, Product Madness, Outfit7, Kabam, Playrix and Rovio Entertainment.
Does Z2 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Z2.
What industry is Z2 in?
Z2's product category is Mobile Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAB, Mobile & F2P Game Studios, with a secondary code of MPAFAAAK, Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 33993 and its SIC code is 3944.