Name

Koolhaus Games

Legal name

Koolhaus Games Inc.

Website

https://koolhausgames.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Game Development Services

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

akta.pro primary industry

Co-Development, Porting & Remaster Studios (MPAFAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Indie Game Studios (MPAFAAAC), Live-Service & MMO Game Studios (MPAFAAAD)

Keywords

• Video game development
• Mobile game studio
• Work-for-hire development
• Cross-platform games
• Game AI technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Work-for-Hire Game Development: Full-service game development (design, art, code, sound, project management) contracted by publishers such as Electronic Arts, Activision, Warner Bros., 2K Sports, Cat Daddy Games, and others. Revenue is earned as a contracted development fee or milestone-based payments.
2. Original IP with In-App Purchases (F2P): Original IP games released as free-to-play with in-app purchase monetization. Examples include Monopoly Hotels (F2P iOS, Android, Kindle), OOMF!, Battle Rally, and the Antique Shop series. Revenue generated through in-game purchases and premium content upgrades.
3. Premium Game Sales: Premium (paid) game releases with in-game item purchase options. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 was released as a premium title with in-game item purchase options, also available in a freemium version for a limited time. Madden NFL 2011 iPad achieved highest revenue record on iTunes within 1 month of launch.
4. IP Licensing to Publishers: Koolhaus licenses its own original IP (Antique Shop series) to publishers for distribution. The Antique Shop games are distributed worldwide by BigFish, GameHouse, Zylom, iWin, iPlay, and MSN Games.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Koolhaus Games is a Vancouver-based video game development studio that provides full-service game development (design, art, code, sound, project management) on a work-for-hire basis for major publishers such as Electronic Arts, Activision, Warner Bros., and 2K Sports. The studio also develops and publishes its own original IP across mobile, console, and PC platforms using Unity, Unreal Engine, and its proprietary GEM engine.

Product overview

Koolhaus Games is a Vancouver-based video game developer offering a diverse portfolio of games across mobile, console, and desktop platforms. The company develops both work-for-hire titles for major publishers (2K Sports, Electronic Arts, Warner Bros., Activision) and original IP. Key products include the Antique Shop match-3/hidden object puzzle game trilogy, NBA/WWE sports card battle games (NBA SuperCard, WWE SuperCard, MyNBA 2K), branded titles (Monopoly Hotels, Mass Effect: Infiltrator, Game of Thrones: Conquest, Mortal Kombat X), and original games (OOMF!, Battle Rally, Capsized+). The company also provides proprietary technology solutions including the KoolAi/KoolPlan AI framework for intelligent NPCs, KoolTrans text translation system, and the GEM in-house game engine. Koolhaus offers application development services spanning design, art, code, sound, and project management, licensed across iOS, Android, Xbox One, PS4, Wii U, 3DS, PC, and Mac platforms using Unity and Unreal engines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kool Tech: Proprietary technology suite including KoolAi (AI framework), KoolPlan (multi-genre NPC behavior solution), KoolTrans (text translation system), and Gem Game Engine (in-house cross platform game engine)
• KoolAi
• KoolPlan
• KoolTrans
• Gem Game Engine

Products and services

• Monopoly Hotels
• Urban Futbol
• Game of Thrones: Conquest Real-time strategy RPG featuring kingdom building, dragon raising, alliance systems, and conquest of 120+ iconic Seats of Power from the Game of Thrones universe. Developed for Warner Bros. Games.
• MyNBA 2K Mobile Companion mobile app for the NBA 2K console franchise featuring facial scanning technology, virtual currency earning, card collecting with 300+ cards, and multiple game modes. Developed for 2K Sports and Cat Daddy Games.
• NBA 2K Mobile Basketball mobile game featuring NBA legends and current stars with 5v5 PvP, 3v3 drills, MyPLAYER customization, and championship tournaments. Developed for 2K Sports and Cat Daddy Games.
• WWE SuperCard (Seasons 6-9) Collectible card game featuring WWE Superstars, NXT, Legends, and Hall of Famers with deck building, real-time PVP battles, and team battle modes. Developed for 2K Sports and Cat Daddy Games.
• Temple Run+ Apple Arcade adaptation of the endless runner Temple Run with original 3D running mechanics, 7 playable explorers, power-ups, and Game Center integration.
• Battle Rally Free-to-play mobile combat racing game with kart action, multiplayer leagues, rocket launches, turbo boosts, and character skins. Available worldwide on iOS and Google Play.
• OOMF! Next Free-to-play open-world mobile shoot 'em up featuring spaceship gameplay with gacha-obtainable crewmates, stats, equipment, and unique abilities. Original IP by Koolhaus Games.
• Mortal Kombat X (mobile) Mobile fighting and card collection game developed by Koolhaus for Warner Bros. with proprietary server-based IAP validation technology deployed across iOS, Google, and Amazon platforms.
• Injustice: Gods Among Us (mobile) Free-to-play DC super hero and villain collectible card game with 3-on-3 touch-based action combat developed by Koolhaus for Warner Bros. Features cross-platform IAP validation technology.
• Madden NFL 2011 iPad American football simulation for iPad with custom mini-game, achieving record number 1 positions on iTunes Game and All Apps charts. Developed for Electronic Arts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6 Number 1 chart positions and 11 Top 10 chart positions across 22+ successive releases
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRC-IRAP provided support for the development of KoolAi, KoolPlan, and KoolTrans technologies. This partnership enabled Koolhaus to develop cutting-edge AI and translation technology with government R&D funding assistance.
• Simon Fraser University (Computer Science Department)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKoolhaus collaborated with Simon Fraser University's computer science department to develop KoolTrans. Additionally, Koolhaus has sponsored five Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) research projects with the university. This partnership provides access to academic research talent and cutting-edge computer science expertise.
• Electronic ArtsflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerKoolhaus developed multiple games for Electronic Arts including Madden NFL 2011 (iPad & Android), Monopoly Hotels, Mass Effect: Infiltrator, and NBA Jam. EA published these titles worldwide. The Madden NFL 2011 iPad version set records on iTunes.
• Activision Publishing Inc.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerKoolhaus developed Big League Sports and Big League Sports Summer for Activision, targeting Nintendo DS and Wii platforms.
• Warner Bros. GamesflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerKoolhaus provided development support for Warner Bros. Games including Game of Thrones: Conquest, Mortal Kombat X, and Injustice: Gods Among Us. Also deployed proprietary server-based IAP validation technology across WB's most popular mobile games.
• 2K Sports & Cat Daddy GamesflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerKoolhaus provided development support on NBA 2K Mobile, NBA SuperCard (seasons 6–9), MyNBA 2K Mobile (2017–2020), and WWE SuperCard (seasons 6–9).
• LeapFrog (by VTech)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerKoolhaus developed LeapFrog Preschool Adventures (Learning Friends Preschool Adventures: Panda's Play Time!) published by LeapFrog on LeapPad Ultra, LeapPad2, LeapPad3, and LeapsterGS Explorer devices.
• Sony Pictures TelevisioncoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSony Pictures Television published Sports Jeopardy! developed by Koolhaus, available on iOS, Android, and Amazon Kindle Fire.
• BigFish, GameHouse, Zylom, iWin, iPlay, MSN GamescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldwide distribution partners for the Antique Shop game series (Antique Shop: Lost Gems, Antique Shop: Lost Gems London, Antique Shop: Book of Souls, Antique Shop: Journey of the Lost Souls) across PC and mobile platforms.
• Red Bull Media HousecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerKoolhaus developed Urban Futbol for Red Bull Media House, a free-to-play mobile game featuring Red Bull Balcony Shot and Red Bull Street Style event modes.
• AtaricoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerKoolhaus developed Centipede: Origins for Atari, bringing the classic arcade franchise into the 21st century mobile world.
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)coreOthersKoolhaus created an industry-leading mobile app for YVR featuring West Coast-inspired design, immersive 3D interactive map, real-time flight data, and a custom vendor coupon system. Ongoing project for world-class airport experience.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Keywords Studios: Global leader in game development services and co-development, offering art, engineering, QA, and localization to top publishers. Closest direct peer to Koolhaus's work-for-hire model, with a much larger global footprint and a publicly disclosed scale.
• Virtuos: Major co-development and art outsourcing studio working with AAA publishers on console and mobile titles. Highly comparable to Koolhaus's full-service mobile/console co-development offering, but with a much larger headcount and broader geographic presence.
• Certain Affinity: Texas-based work-for-hire studio supporting major franchises (Halo, Call of Duty, DOOM). Comparable in business model (project-based co-development for top publishers), though concentrated in shooter/AAA console rather than mobile/card-battle genres.

Emerging players

• Capybara Games: Vancouver-based game studio known for original IP (Below, Superbrothers) and co-development work (Scribblenauts, Pokémon). Geographic and structural peer, with a similar mix of original IP plus publisher contracts but stronger brand recognition on owned IP.
• East Side Games: Vancouver-based F2P mobile game developer (It Came From the Desert, The Oregon Trail, Dragon Up). Comparable as a Vancouver-headquartered mobile studio with both original IP and licensed IP, with stronger focus on narrative idle/casual F2P mechanics.
• Blackbird Interactive: Vancouver-based game studio developing strategy games (Homeworld 3, Deserts of Kharak) and offering co-development services. Comparable Vancouver location and mix of original IP plus service work, though concentrated in strategy/4X rather than mobile casual/sports.
• RedBarrels: Montreal-based indie studio known for the Outlast franchise. Comparable as a Canadian mid-sized studio focused on original IP, with similar headcount range and a stronger IP-driven brand versus Koolhaus's services-led profile.
• Thunder Lotus Games: Montreal-based indie studio (Sundered, Jotun, Spiritfarer). Comparable as a Canadian mid-sized studio with original IP focus, though more concentrated on premium indie releases and without the publisher co-development revenue stream.
• Snowball Studios: Smaller Vancouver-area co-development and porting studio. Closely comparable in size, geography, and business model (work-for-hire mobile/console development), though with a narrower scope and less marquee client roster.
• Phoenix Labs: Vancouver-based studio (Dauntless) and former co-development shop that pivoted to original IP. Comparable Vancouver location and studio scale, illustrating the trajectory from services to owned-IP that Koolhaus may pursue with its GEM engine and AI stack.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/koolhaus_inc
• Facebookfacebook.com/koolhausgames
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/koolhaus-games

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 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 Koolhaus Games