CoolGames
CoolGames is an Amsterdam-based developer and publisher of casual HTML5 cloud games distributed across 15+ platforms including Snap, Facebook, Netflix, Google, and LINE, serving both platform partners with instant-play branded content and IP holders like Hasbro, Rovio, and Zynga.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What CoolGames does
CoolGames B.V., headquartered in Amsterdam with a regional office in Tokyo, is a developer and publisher of casual cloud-based HTML5 games operating under private ownership since 2010 (originally as BoosterMedia; rebranded in February 2016 after merging with Tingly Games). The company's core technology is a cross-platform HTML5 instant-play engine that enables games to run without downloads or installations across mobile, desktop, messaging platforms, smart TVs, and voice assistants. CoolGames operates the world's largest HTML5 game catalog per its claims, with hundreds of titles distributed through more than 15 integrated platforms including Snap Games, Facebook Instant Games, Netflix Games, Google Assistant/GameSnacks, LINE QUICK GAME, Samsung, Microsoft Start, and OK.ru, plus its own consumer portals (CoolGames.com, GirlGames.com, CookingGames.com, WordGames.com).
Its portfolio spans casual puzzle games, merge and farming titles, board game adaptations (Battleship, Monopoly Sudoku, Tetris, Snake, Arkanoid), branded IP games (Angry Birds, Shaun the Sheep, Hello Kitty, Farm Merge Valley), and voice-controlled games. Flagship title Battleship is available on Snap Games and Netflix Games, reaching multiple millions of players. The company licenses IP from holders including Hasbro, Rovio, Aardman, Sanrio, Zynga, Taito, and Blue Planet Software (Tetris).
The business model is free-to-play end-user monetization layered on two revenue streams: (1) in-game advertising via CPM and CPCV (cost per completed view) formats across platform-distributed games, and (2) IP licensing and revenue-sharing arrangements with brand holders and publishers. CoolGames was acquired by Keesing Media Group, the world's largest puzzle and braintainment company, in July 2023, and continues to operate independently under Keesing ownership with founder Laurens Rutten as co-CEO.
CoolGames firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CoolGames
- Legal name
- CoolGames B.V.
- Website
- https://coolgames.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CoolGames is an Amsterdam-based developer and publisher of casual HTML5 cloud games distributed across 15+ platforms including Snap, Facebook, Netflix, Google, and LINE, serving both platform partners with instant-play branded content and IP holders like Hasbro, Rovio, and Zynga.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CoolGames industry classification
Industry- Product category
- HTML5 Cloud Gaming
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cloud Gaming Platforms (BPAMAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mobile Game Publishing & App Game Stores (BPAMAKAB)
Keywords
Where CoolGames is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
CoolGames business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Advertising (Free-to-Play): Primary revenue model is free-to-play with advertising monetization. Games are offered at no cost to players, generating revenue through in-game advertisements including CPM and CPCV (cost per completed view) ad formats.
- IP Licensing and Branded Content: Revenue from licensing popular intellectual properties (Hasbro's Monopoly and Battleship, Rovio's Angry Birds, Aardman's Shaun the Sheep, Sanrio's Hello Kitty) for use in HTML5 game development, with licensing fees and revenue sharing arrangements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-Play with Advertising |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels10 records
Marketing channels5 records
CoolGames product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CoolGames develops and distributes cloud-based HTML5 casual games that can be played instantly in a web browser or inside partner apps without any download or installation. Its portfolio includes hundreds of self-developed titles and IP-licensed games (Hasbro's Battleship and MONOPOLY Sudoku, Rovio's Angry Birds, Aardman's Shaun the Sheep, Sanrio's Hello Kitty, Tetris, Arkanoid, Nokia Snake) distributed through more than 15 global platforms including Snap Games, Facebook Instant Games, Google Assistant, Netflix Games, LINE QUICK GAME, Samsung, and OK.ru.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CoolGames.com: Direct-to-consumer gaming website operated by CoolGames
- GirlGames.com
- CookingGames.com
- WordGames.com
Products and services
- Battleship for Netflix Games Real-time multiplayer naval combat game based on Hasbro's Battleship IP, distributed on the Netflix Games platform for Netflix subscribers. Features league-based progression and personalization with no ads or in-app purchases.
- Farm Merge Valley on Facebook Gaming Agriculture-themed merge and building casual game with social play features, brought to Facebook Gaming through a partnership with Zynga. Players manage farmland, grow crops, raise livestock and expand territory.
- Battleship for Snap Games Hasbro's Battleship adapted as a Snap Game for Snapchat's 500 million monthly users, with real-time and asynchronous multiplayer naval combat and integrated Custom Chat Updates.
- Guess the Drawing for Google Assistant Voice-operated drawing guessing game for Google Assistant on Smart Display devices, with daily drawings, difficulty levels and a Party mode for multiple players.
- Horizontal Crosswords for Google Assistant Voice-controlled crossword game for Google Assistant on Smart Display devices, featuring voice navigation and daily fresh crosswords at multiple difficulty levels.
- Storm Skaters for Snap Games Real-time 3D multiplayer skater game exclusive to Snap Games, positioned as the first full 3D real-time multiplayer title on the Snap Games platform aimed at Gen-Z players.
- Angry Birds for Facebook Messenger Multiplayer edition of Rovio's Angry Birds Classic playable inside Facebook Messenger via Instant Games, delivering one-on-one slingshot gameplay to Messenger's global audience.
- LINE Sudoku for LINE QUICK GAME Customized Sudoku game based on CoolGames' Daily Sudoku for LINE's QUICK GAME service, featuring LINE characters Brown, Cony and Sally with daily new puzzles and LINE leaderboards.
- Tetris for Instant Games Tetris marathon mode for Facebook Instant Games on Messenger, with high-score leaderboards, daily missions and friend-invite features, IP licensed via Blue Planet Software.
- Battleship for Facebook Messenger Hasbro's Battleship adapted as a turn-based multiplayer game for Facebook Instant Games on Messenger, with matchmaking and power-ups such as Air Raid.
- Snake for Instant Games Relaunch of Nokia's iconic Snake as an HTML5 multiplayer game for Facebook Instant Games, built for the HMD Global smartphone launch and the Nokia brand campaign.
- LINE: PPAP The Game HTML5 casual game on LINE built around Pikotaro's Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen viral YouTube hit, marketed as LINE's first fully HTML5-based game.
- MONOPOLY Sudoku for Facebook Instant Games Hasbro MONOPOLY-branded Sudoku game on Facebook Instant Games that combines classic Sudoku puzzles with MONOPOLY meta-elements (houses, hotels, Chance cards, income competition).
- Arkanoid for Facebook Instant Games Taito-licensed Arkanoid HTML5 casual game, published by CoolGames as a global launch partner of Facebook Instant Games on Messenger.
- CoolGames owned web gaming portals (CoolGames.com, GirlGames.com, CookingGames.com, WordGames.com) Owned-and-operated web gaming portals (CoolGames.com, GirlGames.com, CookingGames.com, WordGames.com) providing direct-to-consumer instant-play HTML5 casual games.
- CoolGames HTML5 publishing and distribution platform for third-party publishers B2B publishing platform through which CoolGames distributes its HTML5 game catalogue via white-label and licensing arrangements with other publishers, including social features such as friend connections, virtual currencies, achievements and leaderboards.
Quantifiable outcome
- Hundreds of HTML5 games distributed across 15+ global platforms
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CoolGames
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CoolGames technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CoolGames partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Snap Inc.flagshipCoolGames serves as a key game developer for Snap Games platform, creating flagship titles including Battleship which launched as a flagship Snap Game with real-time multiplayer capabilities. The partnership has generated multiple millions of users and daily active players for CoolGames.
- ZyngacorePartnership to bring Zynga's Farm Merge Valley to CoolGames platforms and distribution network, expanding reach of Zynga's casual game portfolio.
- HasbroflagshipMajor IP licensing partnership for classic Hasbro brands including Battleship and Monopoly Sudoku. CoolGames develops and distributes HTML5 versions of these games across Snap Games, Netflix Games, and other platforms. Battleship on Snap Games is a flagship title.
- RoviocoreIP licensing partnership for Rovio's Angry Birds franchise for HTML5 casual games distributed across messaging and social platforms globally.
- AardmancoreLicensing partnership for Shaun the Sheep IP from Aardman Animation, creating branded casual HTML5 games.
- SanriocoreLicensing partnership for Hello Kitty and other Sanrio character IPs for casual HTML5 games.
- LINE CorporationcoreCoolGames provides games for LINE's QUICK GAME service, making HTML5 games accessible to LINE's massive user base in Japan and internationally.
- GooglecorePartnership for voice-controlled games through Google Assistant and lightweight games via Google's GameSnacks initiative. CoolGames is featured by Google as a case study for voice gaming innovation.
- SamsungcoreGames integrated into Samsung Internet Browser, making CoolGames titles accessible to Samsung device users globally.
- OK.ruminorCookie Connect and other games distributed on Russian social platform OK.ru.
- NetflixcoreCoolGames' Battleship is available on Netflix Games platform, expanding reach to Netflix's subscriber base as part of the streaming giant's gaming expansion.
- HMD Global / NokiacoreRevitalization of classic Snake game for Nokia phones, winning PR Week's Best Use of New Technology award in 2017. Partnership brought modern multiplayer features to the iconic Snake brand.
- TaitominorLicensed classic Arkanoid franchise for HTML5 browser-based gaming.
- Blue Planet SoftwareminorTetris IP licensing through Blue Planet Software for HTML5 game development.
- Keesing Media GroupflagshipKeesing Media Group acquired CoolGames, integrating it with its existing gaming portfolio (BoosterMedia, Tingly Games) to create a major HTML5 game company based in Amsterdam.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CoolGames competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Rovio Entertainment: Rovio (Angry Birds) is a major mobile game publisher and IP licensor. It is an IP partner of CoolGames (Angry Birds for Messenger) and a broader incumbent in casual mobile/IP-driven gaming.
- Zynga: Zynga is a major publisher of casual and social mobile games (now part of Take-Two). It is a partner of CoolGames (Farm Merge Valley on Facebook Gaming) and a broader incumbent in the casual mobile/social gaming category where CoolGames competes.
- Voodoo: Voodoo is one of the largest mobile casual/hyper-casual game publishers globally. It competes for casual gamer attention and advertiser dollars in adjacent categories to CoolGames' HTML5 casual portfolio.
- Miniclip: Miniclip is a long-standing casual and multiplayer browser/mobile game publisher with a large global audience. It overlaps with CoolGames on casual, multiplayer, instant-play casual gaming distribution.
- King: King (Candy Crush, part of Activision Blizzard / Microsoft) is a dominant casual mobile publisher with strong ad and IP monetization. It is a broader incumbent competing for the same casual gamer time and IP licensing relationships that CoolGames relies on.
Direct peers
- CrazyGames: CrazyGames operates a major browser-based casual gaming portal with thousands of free HTML5/Unity WebGL games, monetizing via ads. It is directly comparable to CoolGames in the instant-play, ad-supported casual games distribution model.
- Poki: Poki is one of the largest free-to-play online game platforms, hosting browser-based casual games across desktop and mobile. Like CoolGames, it monetizes primarily through advertising and competes for the same casual gamer audience on instant-play web.
- Famobi: Famobi is an HTML5 game publisher and B2B platform that distributes casual games to thousands of web portals and partner platforms. It overlaps directly with CoolGames' HTML5 game publishing and aggregation business.
- GamePix: GamePix is an HTML5 game distribution network that licenses and distributes casual games across web, apps, and messaging platforms. It is a direct competitor in the HTML5 publishing and platform-distribution category.
- PlaySimple: PlaySimple develops and publishes casual puzzle and word games (e.g., crossword, solitaire) on mobile, and was acquired by Snap. It overlaps with CoolGames' casual, puzzle-heavy gaming catalog and target demographic.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CoolGames social profiles
Digital presenceCoolGames financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CoolGames leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
CoolGames funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CoolGames M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CoolGames
What does CoolGames do?
CoolGames develops and distributes cloud-based HTML5 casual games that can be played instantly in a web browser or inside partner apps without any download or installation. Its portfolio includes hundreds of self-developed titles and IP-licensed games (Hasbro's Battleship and MONOPOLY Sudoku, Rovio's Angry Birds, Aardman's Shaun the Sheep, Sanrio's Hello Kitty, Tetris, Arkanoid, Nokia Snake) distributed through more than 15 global platforms including Snap Games, Facebook Instant Games, Google Assistant, Netflix Games, LINE QUICK GAME, Samsung, and OK.ru.
Is CoolGames a public or private company?
CoolGames is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CoolGames founded?
CoolGames was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is CoolGames based?
CoolGames is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does CoolGames make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Advertising (Free-to-Play) is the primary driver. The others are IP Licensing and Branded Content.
Who are CoolGames's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Rovio Entertainment, Zynga, Voodoo, Miniclip and King. Direct peers are CrazyGames, Poki, Famobi, GamePix and PlaySimple.
Does CoolGames have an API?
No public API is recorded for CoolGames.
What industry is CoolGames in?
CoolGames's product category is HTML5 Cloud Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAKAC, Cloud Gaming Platforms, with a secondary code of BPAMAKAB, Mobile Game Publishing & App Game Stores. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.