Nightmarket Games

What Nightmarket Games does

Nightmarket Games Inc. (formerly Epic Story Interactive Inc.) is a Vancouver-based, fully remote independent game studio founded in October 2017, with team roots tracing back to Nerd Corps Entertainment (2009) and DHX Media (2015). The studio develops and publishes free-to-play mobile games on iOS and Android, with select PC titles distributed via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Itch.io. Its portfolio spans licensed-IP titles (Monster Jam: Extreme Mayhem for Feld Entertainment, Beyblade Burst Rivals for Hasbro, Slug It Out 2 for Wildbrain, Ben 10 Heroes for Cartoon Network) and original-IP titles (Titan Fury, Rift Rangers, plus the Wild Magic co-op shmup prototype). The company has achieved over 100M+ cumulative downloads across its portfolio and rebranded from Epic Story Interactive to Nightmarket Games in March 2024.

The studio's core technology stack is mobile-first (iOS/Android via App Store and Google Play) with secondary PC distribution, using a match-3 battle, real-time strategy, and roguelite bullet-heaven design repertoire. Games feature live-ops mechanics (tournaments, co-op events, customization systems) and multi-language support including Arabic. Distribution is exclusively digital and direct-to-consumer through marketplace channels, with no physical retail or B2B SaaS surface.

The business model is primarily free-to-play mobile with in-app purchases (virtual currency, items, premium content) supplemented by premium one-time-purchase PC revenue (Rift Rangers) and free prototype distribution (Wild Magic) used as a community feedback and R&D channel. Revenue is generated end-customer via consumer purchases, but is contractually intermediated by licensing agreements with IP holders (Feld Entertainment, Hasbro, Wildbrain, Cartoon Network), which carry royalty obligations. Customer segments include casual mobile gamers, kids and families (driven by brand IP), indie/hardcore mobile and PC gamers, and IP licensors as B2B counterparties. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding, led by co-founders Ken Faier (CEO), Dennis Leong (COO), and Chad Greenway (CCO).

Name

Nightmarket Games

Legal name

Nightmarket Games Inc.

Website

https://nightmarket.games

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nightmarket Games is a Vancouver-based, fully remote independent game studio that develops and publishes free-to-play mobile and PC games based on licensed entertainment IPs (Monster Jam, Beyblade, Slugterra, Ben 10) and select original IPs, serving casual mobile gamers, kids and families, and IP licensors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Games

NAICS

Amusement Arcades (71312)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Social/UGC & Sandbox Game Studios (Roblox-like) (MPAFAAAF)

Keywords

• Mobile game development
• Licensed IP games
• Match-3 puzzle games
• Free-to-play mobile gaming
• Original IP game studio

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Free-to-Play Mobile Games with In-App Purchases: The company publishes free-to-play mobile games across iOS and Android. Revenue is generated through in-app purchases of virtual currency, items, and premium content. Games include Beyblade Burst Rivals, Slug it Out 2, Titan Fury, Monster Jam: Extreme Mayhem, and Ben 10 Heroes.
2. Premium PC Game Sales: Rift Rangers is sold as a premium title on Steam and the Epic Games Store, generating one-time purchase revenue.
3. Prototype / Free Downloads (Itch.io): Wild Magic and other prototype titles are distributed for free on Itch.io, serving as a community feedback and R&D channel rather than a direct revenue driver.
4. Licensed IP Game Development: Nightmarket develops games based on licensed intellectual property (Monster Jam, Beyblade Burst, Slugterra, Ben 10). Revenue is generated through licensing agreements with IP holders (Feld Entertainment, Hasbro, etc.), with the studio developing and publishing the mobile games.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nightmarket Games is an independent Vancouver-based game studio that develops and publishes free-to-play mobile games (iOS/Android) and select PC titles, built primarily on licensed entertainment IP (Monster Jam, Beyblade Burst, Slugterra, Ben 10) and supplemented by original IP (Titan Fury, Rift Rangers). The studio monetizes mobile titles through in-app purchases and sells Rift Rangers as a premium PC game on Steam and the Epic Games Store, leveraging the built-in fan audiences of its licensed brands.

Product overview

Nightmarket Games is a Vancouver-based mobile game developer and publisher (formerly Epic Story Interactive) offering a portfolio of mobile games across iOS and Android platforms, plus select PC titles. Their portfolio includes licensed IP games (Monster Jam: Extreme Mayhem, Slug It Out 2, Beyblade Burst Rivals, Ben 10 Heroes), original IP titles (Titan Fury, Rift Rangers), and experimental prototypes (Wild Magic). The company has achieved over 100 million downloads across its portfolio. Games are published directly through Apple App Store and Google Play, with PC titles available on Steam and Epic Games Store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Monster Jam: Extreme Mayhem An officially licensed mobile racing and stunt game featuring Monster Jam monster trucks, with high-speed racing, gravity-defying stunts, truck customization, and daily challenges; positioned as the only officially licensed Monster Jam mobile game.
• Titan Fury A real-time strategy mobile game set in the fantasy world of Aurica, where players collect and command Titans, build bases, complete solo or co-op quests, and engage in 5-minute strategic battles.
• Slug It Out 2 A match-3 puzzle battle mobile game based on the Slugterra franchise, featuring collectible transforming slugs, hero progression as Eli Shane, multiplayer tournaments, and co-op boss invasion events.
• Beyblade Burst Rivals A match-3 puzzle battle mobile game based on the Beyblade Burst anime franchise, featuring collectible and upgradable Beys and multiple finish types including Ring Out, Survivor, and Burst Finishes.
• Ben 10 Heroes A match-3 battle mobile game based on Cartoon Network's Ben 10 franchise, where players collect alien powers from the Omnitrix, match tiles to charge abilities, and battle villains in real time.
• Rift Rangers A roguelite bullet-heaven PC game with sentai-inspired gameplay, featuring 20-minute survival sessions, four playable Rangers with unique abilities, RiftTech upgrades, and a Mega Mecha end-state.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 million downloads across the gaming portfolio
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Canada Media FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner on the Nightmarket Games website partner section. The Canada Media Fund is a Canadian non-profit organization that funds and supports the production of Canadian content. Nature of financial or creative partnership not further detailed.
• ADK (Asatsu-DK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner on the Nightmarket Games website partner section. ADK (Asatsu-DK) is a Japanese advertising and content production company. Nature of partnership not further detailed in available source material.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PlaySimple: Mobile casual game studio specializing in word and puzzle games with strong in-app purchase monetization. Comparable as a similarly sized mobile-first studio focused on casual genres.
• Jam City: Independent mobile game studio that develops and publishes games based on major licensed entertainment IP (e.g., Disney, Harry Potter, Marvel). Highly comparable to Nightmarket's model of building mobile games around third-party brands like Beyblade and Ben 10.
• Ludia: Montreal-based mobile game studio known for licensed-IP titles such as Jurassic World Alive and DC Heroes & Villains. Direct comparison to Nightmarket's licensed-IP mobile development model targeting family and casual audiences.
• Scopely: Mobile-first game publisher with multiple licensed-IP games (e.g., Star Wars, Marvel Strike Force, WWE). Comparable business model of combining licensed-IP partnerships with original mobile IP.
• Outfit7: Slovenian studio behind Talking Tom Gold Rush and other casual/family mobile games. Comparable in its focus on casual and family-oriented mobile gaming with strong global distribution.
• Wildlife Studios: Brazilian mobile game studio behind Tennis Clash and various casual mobile titles. Comparable in scale and focus on free-to-play mobile game development with global distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Niantic: Mobile game developer behind Pokémon GO and other AR titles. Relevant comparable for location-based and family-friendly mobile gaming, though much larger scale.
• Kabam: Mobile game developer known for licensed-IP titles such as Marvel Contest of Champions. Relevant comparable for licensed-IP mobile development at scale targeting Western audiences.
• Rovio Entertainment: Finnish mobile game company and creator of Angry Birds. A much larger incumbent in casual/family mobile gaming with original IP, offering a relevant benchmark for scaling and brand economics.
• Gameloft: Established mobile game publisher with a broad portfolio across casual, racing, and licensed-IP titles. Relevant comparable for multi-title mobile game publishing at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/playnightmarket
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PlayNightmarket
• Facebookfacebook.com/playnightmarket
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nightmarketgames

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nightmarket Games