Mediocre Studios
Mediocre Studios (Mediocre AB) is a Swedish mobile game developer founded in 2010, based in Malmö, that self-publishes physics-based games for iOS and Android through app stores using freemium and premium pricing, now operating as a subsidiary of Coffee Stain Group following a 2023 acquisition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersMalmö, Sweden
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Mediocre Studios does
Mediocre Studios (legal entity: Mediocre AB) is a Swedish mobile game developer founded in 2010 in Malmö by Dennis Gustafsson and Henrik Johansson. The studio designs and self-publishes physics-based games for iOS and Android, with a portfolio spanning fluid simulation (Sprinkle series), platforming (Granny Smith), glass-smashing action (Smash Hit), temporal paradox driving (Does not Commute), reimagined pinball (PinOut), and quantum physics puzzle (Beyondium/DIRAC). Its core technical differentiation rests on proprietary, hand-engineered systems: a custom 2D fluid simulator with particle recycling, a fully procedural destruction system, and a custom audio engine with real-time environmental acoustics that synchronizes music with gameplay. The studio has historically prioritized non-violent, family-friendly design and has earned significant recognition, including an Apple Design Award (2015) for Does not Commute and App Store Best of 2014 for Smash Hit, with cumulative downloads exceeding 100 million as of October 2014.
The studio operates a primarily freemium business model, distributing games directly through the Apple App Store and Google Play with in-app purchases for premium content; premium titles (DIRAC/Beyondium) are sold as one-time purchases and physical vinyl soundtracks are sold through iam8bit. Go-to-market relies on app-store featuring, organic social channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), and press outreach rather than paid acquisition. The studio's primary customer segment is global mobile gamers, with secondary appeal to family and casual gamers and indie game enthusiasts. In 2023, Mediocre was acquired by Coffee Stain Group; co-founders Gustafsson and Johansson exited, and Daniel Persson became CEO. No new original game titles have been documented since PinOut (October 2016) and Beyondium (March 2016), making the studio's current growth posture dependent on its parent's strategic direction.
Mediocre Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mediocre Studios
- Legal name
- Mediocre AB
- Website
- https://mediocre.se
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Mediocre Studios (Mediocre AB) is a Swedish mobile game developer founded in 2010, based in Malmö, that self-publishes physics-based games for iOS and Android through app stores using freemium and premium pricing, now operating as a subsidiary of Coffee Stain Group following a 2023 acquisition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mediocre Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mobile Gaming
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mobile & F2P Game Studios (MPAFAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mobile Game Publishing & App Game Stores (BPAMAKAB), Indie Game Studios (MPAFAAAC)
Keywords
Where Mediocre Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Malmö
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Mediocre Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
Revenue model
- Freemium Game Downloads: Most games are free to download with optional premium content or features. Games like Does not Commute and Smash Hit use this model. Players can enjoy the core game for free with premium unlocks available via in-app purchase.
- Premium Game Sales: Some games like DIRAC (later renamed Beyondium) are released as premium paid games with no in-app purchases. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play as one-time purchases.
- Physical Merchandise: Vinyl soundtracks for Smash Hit and PinOut sold through iam8bit online store. Includes special artwork and digital download codes. Douglas Holmquist and Chipzel remixes included.
- In-App Purchases: Early Sprinkle games had in-app purchases for extra levels before transitioning to freemium. Premium features and level packs available for purchase within games.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free-to-play core game with optional premium features |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DIRAC/Beyondium as premium one-time purchase |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Physical vinyl soundtracks available for purchase |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Mediocre Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mediocre Studios develops and self-publishes original physics-based mobile games for iOS and Android platforms. Their portfolio includes titles such as Smash Hit, Sprinkle series, Granny Smith, Does not Commute, PinOut, and Beyondium, sold primarily as free-to-download games with in-app purchases or as premium one-time purchases via app stores.
Product overview
Mediocre Studios is a Swedish mobile game developer that creates physics-based games for iOS and Android platforms. The company, founded in 2010 by Dennis Gustafsson and Henrik Johansson, produces original games with a focus on advanced physics simulations. Their portfolio includes: Sprinkle (fluid physics), Sprinkle Junior (family version), Sprinkle Islands (sequel with expanded water mechanics), Granny Smith (platformer), Smash Hit (glass-smashing action game with custom audio engine), Smash Hit VR (virtual reality version), Does not Commute (temporal paradox driving game - Apple Design Award winner), PinOut (pinball reimagined), and Beyondium (quantum physics puzzle, renamed from DIRAC). In 2023, the studio became part of Coffee Stain Group. The company is known for self-developed technology including custom physics engines and audio systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sprinkle Physics-based fluid simulation game where players control a water-spraying fire truck to extinguish fires and solve puzzles. The first game released by Mediocre in August 2011, featuring realistic water physics and non-violent gameplay.
- Sprinkle Junior Simplified version of Sprinkle designed for younger players with 22 levels and simplified touch controls while maintaining the same realistic water physics.
- Sprinkle Free Free-to-play version of Sprinkle offering 12 levels (10 new) to try before purchasing the full game.
- Sprinkle Islands Sequel to Sprinkle introducing new water mechanics including pools, ponds, oceans, and raft travel between islands. Players can extinguish burning objects and solve puzzles with sinking and floating objects.
- Granny Smith Platform game where players control an old lady chasing apple thieves through farmland and cityscapes. Features two-button controls and comedic storyline with character secrets.
- Smash Hit Action game where players throw balls to smash through glass and crystal obstacles in surreal otherworldly dimensions. Features fully synchronized audio with music and environmental acoustics, written from scratch technology including custom audio engine. Free-to-play with 100+ million downloads.
- Smash Hit VR Fully immersive virtual reality version of Smash Hit for Samsung Gear VR. Players experience the game in VR while smashing through obstacles synchronized to music.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100 million+ cumulative game downloads
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Mediocre Studios
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Mediocre Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Mediocre Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Coffee Stain GroupcoreIn 2023, Mediocre became part of Coffee Stain Group. Following the acquisition, founders Dennis Gustafsson and Henrik Johansson stepped away and are no longer involved in development or support. The studio is now led by CEO Daniel Persson and continues to reach and entertain players worldwide.
- NVIDIAcoreNVIDIA contacted Mediocre after seeing a screen capture video of Sprinkle. NVIDIA was interested in collaboration around the title, particularly because Sprinkle required a powerful CPU and was well-suited for devices with the new Tegra 2 chip. NVIDIA provided hardware for testing, which helped the team decide to port Sprinkle to Android. This partnership validated the game's potential and helped Mediocre realize Sprinkle could be something big.
- Webbium ABminorContracted customer support provider. Webbium AB (reg no. 556945-9422) is based in Nybro, Sweden and handles support inquiries via web, Facebook, and Twitter on behalf of Mediocre.
- iam8bitminoriam8bit distributes physical merchandise (vinyl soundtracks) for Mediocre games. Smash Hit and PinOut double vinyl soundtracks are available through their online store, featuring new artwork and remixes by Chipzel.
- Douglas HolmquistcoreComposer and sound designer for all Mediocre games including Sprinkle series, Granny Smith, Smash Hit, Does not Commute, PinOut, and Beyondium. Based in Malmö, Sweden. Created all music and sound effects including voice processing through vocoder.
Scale indicators4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Mediocre Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ustwo games: Creator of Monument Valley (Apple Design Award, App Store Game of the Year); comparable as a design-forward indie mobile studio with major App Store accolades and premium-game distribution.
- Imangi Studios: Independent mobile studio known for Temple Run and other freemium hits; directly comparable self-publishing mobile indie with viral hit traction on iOS and Android.
- Halfbrick Studios: Australian indie mobile game studio behind Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride, and Crossy Road; comparable as a self-publishing mobile-first studio with multiple hit titles and similar size and GTM.
- Playdead: Danish indie studio behind Limbo and Inside, an award-winning mobile/console title studio known for distinctive artistic and physics-based gameplay; directly comparable for size, Nordic origin, and Apple/console recognition.
- Simogo: Swedish indie game studio (also Malmö-based) behind Year Walk, Device 6, and Sayonara Wild Hearts; highly comparable given shared Malmö origin, indie ethos, premium mobile titles, and Apple Design recognition.
Emerging players
- Mountains: Small indie studio behind Florence and Old Man's Journey, an Apple Design Award winner; comparable in scale, design-led mobile focus, and App Store Indie Showcase presence.
Broad incumbents
- Rovio Entertainment: Creator of Angry Birds (now part of Sega), one of the largest mobile-first game studios and IP holders; comparable as a broader Finnish/Nordic mobile gaming incumbent, but at vastly larger scale and franchise scope.
- Supercell: Mobile giant behind Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars, owned by Tencent; comparable as a freemium mobile-first platform player, but vastly larger and broader portfolio than Mediocre.
Others
- Noodlecake Studios: Independent mobile game publisher and porting house (publisher of Alto's Adventure and others); adjacent as an indie mobile-game services/publishing partner with shared customer base (mobile indie developers).
- Coffee Stain Studios: Parent-group peer (Coffee Stain Publishing) and fellow Embracer-owned studio behind Goat Simulator, Satisfactory, and Deep Rock Galactic; comparable as a sibling studio under the Coffee Stain Group umbrella for cross-port/IP opportunities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Mediocre Studios social profiles
Digital presenceMediocre Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mediocre Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Mediocre Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mediocre Studios 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 Mediocre Studios
What does Mediocre Studios do?
Mediocre Studios develops and self-publishes original physics-based mobile games for iOS and Android platforms. Their portfolio includes titles such as Smash Hit, Sprinkle series, Granny Smith, Does not Commute, PinOut, and Beyondium, sold primarily as free-to-download games with in-app purchases or as premium one-time purchases via app stores.
Is Mediocre Studios a public or private company?
Mediocre Studios is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was Mediocre Studios founded?
Mediocre Studios was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Mediocre Studios based?
Mediocre Studios is headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does Mediocre Studios make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Freemium Game Downloads are the primary driver. The others are premium Game Sales, physical Merchandise and in-App Purchases.
Who are Mediocre Studios's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ustwo games, Imangi Studios, Halfbrick Studios, Playdead and Simogo. Mountains is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Rovio Entertainment and Supercell. Others are Noodlecake Studios and Coffee Stain Studios.
Does Mediocre Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mediocre Studios.
What industry is Mediocre Studios in?
Mediocre Studios's product category is Mobile Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAB, Mobile & F2P Game Studios, with a secondary code of BPAMAKAB, Mobile Game Publishing & App Game Stores. Its NAICS code is 51321 and its SIC code is 7372.