What Playades does

Playades EOOD is a privately-held Bulgarian company headquartered at Orphey Street 1, Sofia, founded in 2016 by mobile-games industry veteran Michael Haberl. The company operates as a B2B intermediary distributing and publishing Android and HTML5 mobile games — and, more recently, PC games — to "alternative markets" beyond major app stores. Its customer base is two-sided: game developers and publishers that lack the resources to manage hundreds of alternative-store relationships, and downstream channel operators such as telecom carriers (Claro, Movistar, TIM, T-Mobile, SFR, Vodacom, TMN, Oi), OEMs (Samsung), media companies, game-bundle and "Netflix-for-games" subscription services, TV set-top boxes, and online game portals. The core team is small (four named personnel: CEO, Sales Operations, Production Manager, Content & QA), distributed across Europe and North America, and is actively hiring.

The company's product offering combines a 1000+-title mobile catalog (including IP games such as Cut the Rope, Bridge Constructor, and Nitro Nation Stories) with technical SDK integration and device-adaptation services that allow titles to operate across fragmented alternative-platform specifications. Revenue is generated through marketplace commissions tied to monetization of distributed games on non-mainstream channels; pricing, commission rates, and financial results are not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is direct B2B sales via the company website (playades.com), email outreach ([email protected]), and industry relationships. The portfolio includes IP games from publishers such as Gameloft, EA, Namco, Glu Mobile, THQ, and Taito, alongside long-tail indie titles from developers including Tweensoft, Creative Mobile, BlackMoon Dev, and Clockstone.

Recent strategic posture indicates modest but real expansion: the firm has extended from mobile-only into PC distribution, established a North American business presence, and is recruiting additional personnel. No external funding rounds, M&A activity, or institutional investor involvement are disclosed; ownership remains founder-led under CEO Michael Haberl. The legal entity structure is a Bulgarian single-member limited liability company (EOOD / Еднолично дружество с ограничена отговорност).

Name

Playades

Legal name

Playades EOOD

Website

https://playades.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Playades is a B2B video games distributor and publisher that routes mobile and PC games to alternative markets beyond major app stores, supplying telecom operators, OEMs, subscription services, TV set-top boxes, and online portals with a 1000+ title catalog.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile and PC Game Distribution Services

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile Game Stores & Alternative App Stores (MPAFACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Game Distribution Platforms & Storefronts (PC/Mobile/Console) (MPAFABAB), Mobile Game Publishing & App Game Stores (BPAMAKAB), PC & Console Game Distribution Platforms (BPAMAKAA), Subscription, Bundling & Membership Distribution (Game Pass-like, Humble-like) (MPAFABAI)

Keywords

• Mobile game distribution
• Alternative game stores
• B2B game publishing
• Telecom gaming services
• Game SDK integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Sofia

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Game Distribution and Publishing: Playades distributes and publishes mobile and PC games to alternative stores and markets worldwide, generating revenue through partnerships with game developers and alternative marketplace operators. The company acts as a middleman, monetizing game content across non-mainstream distribution channels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Playades distributes and publishes mobile (Android/HTML5) and PC games to alternative markets worldwide, operating as a B2B middleman between game developers and alternative stores such as telecom operators, OEM platforms, media companies, subscription services, TV settop boxes, and online game portals. The company offers a catalogue of 1000+ game titles and provides technical SDK integration and device adaptation services to make games compatible with these alternative channels. Its mission is to generate new income streams for game developers by reaching paying users outside Google Play, Apple App Store, and Steam.

Product overview

Playades is a Video Games Distributor AND Publisher for Mobile Games, operating as a gateway and one-stop shop for game developers. The company offers two core distribution services: Mobile Games Distribution to alternative markets (telecom operators, OEMs, media companies, subscription services, and online portals) and PC Games Distribution via an international B2B network. Supporting these core offerings are Technical SDK Integration Support and Content Services for game stores. The company maintains a portfolio of 1000+ mobile games for Android and HTML5, including titles from well-known IPs like Cut The Rope, Bridge Constructor, and Nitro Nation Stories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile Games Distribution B2B distribution of mobile (Android and HTML5) games from developers to alternative markets worldwide, including telecom operators, OEM partners, media companies, game bundle services, TV settop boxes, subscription services, and online game portals. Designed for game developers seeking paying users outside Google Play and Apple App Store.
• PC Games Distribution International B2B distribution of PC games to alternative platforms beyond Steam, helping developers expand reach and unlock new revenue streams through Playades' global network.
• Technical SDK Integration Support Technical integration services including required SDK implementation and device adaptation to make games compatible with the formats and specifications of different alternative game stores and platforms.
• Content Services On-demand content services for game stores and platforms, supplying quality mobile games across all genres and demographics on a continuous basis.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1000+ games distributed to alternative stores
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SamsungminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client. Playades has worked with Samsung for game distribution through their platforms.
• GameloftminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client. Playades has distributed Gameloft games to alternative markets.
• Electronic Arts (EA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client. Playades has worked with EA for alternative distribution of games.
• NamcominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client.
• Glu MobileminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client.
• THQminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client.
• TaitominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client.
• Telecom Operators (Claro, Movistar, TIM, T-Mobile, SFR, Vodacom, TMN, Oi)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCore distribution channel for Playades. Telecom operators worldwide operate mobile games stores and subscription services. Playades distributes games to these alternative markets as a core business function.
• Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client.
• VivendiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client.
• Red BullminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a team reference/prior client.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GamePix: GamePix is an HTML5 game distribution network providing games to publishers, portals and apps. Its B2B marketplace model and HTML5 focus overlap directly with Playades' content and distribution services.
• GameDistribution: GameDistribution operates as a B2B HTML5 and casual game distribution platform supplying games to publishers, portals and app stores. It is highly comparable to Playades' alternative-store mobile and HTML5 distribution business.
• Famobi: Famobi is a publisher and distributor of HTML5 and casual mobile games to portals, OEMs and telecom operators worldwide. Its model of supplying games to alternative storefronts closely mirrors Playades' core offering.

Emerging players

• Chartboost: Chartboost is a mobile game ad network and direct-deal distribution platform for games outside the main app stores. Its alternative-channel monetisation focus aligns with Playades' store-replacement thesis.
• Aptoide: Aptoide operates an alternative Android app store and distribution ecosystem serving users outside Google Play. It competes with Playades on the alternative-mobile-distribution thesis, though it focuses on consumer-side storefronts rather than telecom/OEM B2B.
• TapTap: TapTap is a mobile game discovery and distribution platform operating outside Google Play's billing model. It is an emerging alternative-channel competitor relevant to Playades' developer-and-store value proposition.

Broad incumbents

• AppLovin: AppLovin runs a major mobile ad and app-distribution platform reaching users across many Android storefronts. Its scale and alternative-channel reach make it a broad incumbent comparable to Playades' alternative-distribution focus.
• Softonic: Softonic operates a long-standing software and app discovery and download platform with a presence in Europe and Latin America. It is a broader alternative-download channel that overlaps with Playades' developer-distribution mission for non-mainstream storefronts.
• IronSource (Unity): IronSource (now part of Unity) provides mobile app monetisation, distribution and ad mediation across alternative channels. It addresses the same mobile-distribution landscape as Playades but as a much larger incumbent platform.

Others

• Samsung Galaxy Store: Samsung Galaxy Store is an OEM-run alternative app and game store pre-installed on Samsung devices and already a Playades customer/partner. It represents a key downstream channel that any alternative-game distributor must integrate with.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Playades