PlayFirst: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Video game publisher}} |
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{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company |
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| name = PlayFirst, Inc. |
| name = PlayFirst, Inc. |
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| logo = [[Image: |
| logo = [[Image:PlayFirst_logo.svg|frameless|center|PlayFirst logo (2004-2014)]] |
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| type = [[Private Company|Private]] |
| type = [[Private Company|Private]] |
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| defunct = |
| defunct = |
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| location_country = [[United States]] |
| location_country = [[United States]] |
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| location = |
| location = |
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| key_people = Kenny Shea Dinkin |
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|Kenny Shea Dinkin|(CCO)|Marco DeMiroz|(CEO)|Bruce Sherrod|(VPE)}} |
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| founders = John Welch |
| founders = {{unbulleted list|John Welch|Brad Edelman|Jason Rubinstein}} |
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| industry = [[Video game industry|Video |
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]] |
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| products = [[Casual game]] |
| products = [[Casual game]] |
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| revenue = |
| revenue = |
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| homepage = [http://www.playfirst.com/ PlayFirst.com] |
| homepage = [http://www.playfirst.com/ PlayFirst.com] |
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| founded = 2004 |
| founded = 2004 |
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| owner = [[Electronic Arts]] |
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| parent = [[Glu Mobile]] |
| parent = [[Glu Mobile]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''PlayFirst, Inc.''' is a [[Delaware]] based [[video game publisher|publisher]] of [[casual game]]s founded in 2004 by industry veterans. PlayFirst produced the [[Diner Dash|''Diner Dash'' series]], which won the 2008 Annual Casual Game Awards.<ref name="2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners">{{cite web| url = http://zeebys.com/winners.php| title = 2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners| author = Gamezebo| publisher = Gamezebo| date = 2008-07-25| |
'''PlayFirst, Inc.''' is a [[Delaware]] based American [[video game publisher|publisher]] of [[casual game]]s founded in 2004 by industry veterans. PlayFirst produced the [[Diner Dash|''Diner Dash'' series]], which won the 2008 Annual Casual Game Awards.<ref name="2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners">{{cite web| url = http://zeebys.com/winners.php| title = 2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners| author = Gamezebo| publisher = Gamezebo| date = 2008-07-25| access-date = 2008-07-25| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070214092808/http://www.zeebys.com/winners.php| archive-date = 2007-02-14}}</ref> and has seen over 550 million downloads.<ref name="PlayFirst Announces Debut of Game-Changing Facebook Connect Integration in Diner Dash 5: BOOM! ">{{Cite web |url = http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100218005515&newsLang=en| title = PlayFirst announces debut of Game-Changing Facebook Connect Integration in Diner Dash 5: BOOM! | author = BusinessWire | publisher = BusinessWire|date = 2010-02-18| access-date = 2010-02-19}}</ref><ref name="PlayFirst launches Diner Dash on Facebook">{{cite web |url = http://www.gamezebo.com/news/2011/01/25/playfirst-launches-diner-dash-facebook| title = PlayFirst launches Diner Dash on Facebook| author = Gamezebo| publisher = Gamezebo| date = 2011-01-25| access-date = 2011-01-25}}</ref> The popularity of ''Diner Dash'' series prompted spin-off series like ''[[Wedding Dash]]'' and ''Cooking Dash''. The company’s game portfolio also includes the retro-style [[Strategy video game|strategy]]-based [[Chocolatier (video game)|''Chocolatier'' series]],<ref name="2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners"/> and the [[Adventure game|adventure]]/[[Hidden object game|hidden object]]-mixing [[Dream Chronicles (series)|''Dream Chronicles'' series]].<ref name="2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners"/> |
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From 2005 to mid-2011, PlayFirst have released 72 casual games for PC and Mac, counting extra 7 Collector's Editions and Strategy Guides, thus they have 79 games in total in their game categories. |
From 2005 to mid-2011, PlayFirst have released 72 casual games for PC and Mac, counting extra 7 Collector's Editions and Strategy Guides, thus they have 79 games in total in their game categories. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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=== |
=== 2004–2010: Early days, breakthrough, and maintaining the success of ''Dash'' series === |
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PlayFirst’s biggest commercial success |
PlayFirst’s biggest commercial success was its first game, ''[[Diner Dash]]'', which was released for the first time on PC/Mac platforms in late 2004. ''Diner Dash'' was initially developed by [[Gamelab]], a New York-based casual game developer, under a multi-title publishing agreement with PlayFirst. The success of ''Diner Dash'' with game critics and gamers prompted PlayFirst to release four sequels in the following years: ''Restaurant Rescue'' (2006), ''Flo on the Go'' (2006), ''Hometown Hero'' (2007), and the fifth ''BOOM!'' in 2010. |
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PlayFirst has also published ''Diner Dash'' across multiple platforms, including PC, [[Macintosh|Mac]], [[iPhone]], [[iPad]], [[Facebook]] and consoles [[Nintendo DS|DS]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], and [[Wii]]. PlayFirst games are available on more than 500 sites in 20 languages.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} |
PlayFirst has also published ''Diner Dash'' across multiple platforms, including PC, [[Macintosh|Mac]], [[iPhone]], [[iPad]], [[Facebook]] and consoles [[Nintendo DS|DS]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], and [[Wii]]. PlayFirst games are available on more than 500 sites in 20 languages.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} |
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Spin-off series and games ''[[Wedding Dash]]'' (2007), ''Cooking Dash'' (2008), and ''Hotel Dash'' (2009) were released. However, they mostly earned lukewarm receptions from game critics and gamers.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} |
Spin-off series and games ''[[Wedding Dash]]'' (2007), ''Cooking Dash'' (2008), and ''Hotel Dash'' (2009) were released. However, they mostly earned lukewarm receptions from game critics and gamers.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} |
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Other non-''Dash'' PlayFirst games includes the three-part, retro-style [[Strategy video game|strategy]]-based [[Chocolatier (video game)|''Chocolatier'' series]],<ref name="2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners"/> which was released during 2007 and 2009 in collaboration with Big Splash Games. The five-part, [[Adventure game|adventure]]/[[Hidden object game|hidden object]]-mixing [[Dream Chronicles (series)|''Dream Chronicles'' series]] was another highlight in PlayFirst's portfolio.<ref name="2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners"/> ''Dream Chronicles'' was released during 2007 and 2011 in collaboration with |
Other non-''Dash'' PlayFirst games includes the three-part, retro-style [[Strategy video game|strategy]]-based [[Chocolatier (video game)|''Chocolatier'' series]],<ref name="2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners"/> which was released during 2007 and 2009 in collaboration with Big Splash Games. The five-part, [[Adventure game|adventure]]/[[Hidden object game|hidden object]]-mixing [[Dream Chronicles (series)|''Dream Chronicles'' series]] was another highlight in PlayFirst's portfolio.<ref name="2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners"/> ''Dream Chronicles'' was released during 2007 and 2011 in collaboration with KatGames. |
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=== 2010–2015: Cancellation of releasing on PC/Mac and new direction === |
=== 2010–2015: Cancellation of releasing on PC/Mac and new direction === |
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In October 2010, PlayFirst announced a focus on the mobile and social market after raising $9.2 million from investors, and cancelled releasing further casual games in the near future. PlayFirst's forays into the social gaming market have proven unsuccessful, as low user counts forced the company to cancel all of its Facebook games, ''Diner Dash'' and ''Chocolatier'', not long after launching them.<ref name="Layoffs At Diner Dash House PlayFirst">{{cite web |url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/128552/Layoffs_At_Diner_Dash_House_Playfirst.php| title = Layoffs At Diner Dash House Playfirst| author = Eric Caoili | publisher = Gamasutra | date = 2011-12-06| |
In October 2010, PlayFirst announced a focus on the mobile and social market after raising $9.2 million from investors, and cancelled releasing further casual games in the near future. PlayFirst's forays into the social gaming market have proven unsuccessful, as low user counts forced the company to cancel all of its Facebook games, ''Diner Dash'' and ''Chocolatier'', not long after launching them.<ref name="Layoffs At Diner Dash House PlayFirst">{{cite web |url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/128552/Layoffs_At_Diner_Dash_House_Playfirst.php| title = Layoffs At Diner Dash House Playfirst| author = Eric Caoili | publisher = Gamasutra | date = 2011-12-06| access-date = 2011-12-06}}</ref> |
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As of late 2010, the company employed more than 100 workers, but laid off an unspecified number of its employees in early December 2011 due to "restructuring". Other social games veterans who joined the company in late 2010 from [[Playdom]] and [[Zynga]] have also left; however, PlayFirst claims the layoffs will not change its emphasis on the mobile market.<ref name="Layoffs At Diner Dash House PlayFirst"/> |
As of late 2010, the company employed more than 100 workers, but laid off an unspecified number of its employees in early December 2011 due to "restructuring". Other social games veterans who joined the company in late 2010 from [[Playdom]] and [[Zynga]] have also left; however, PlayFirst claims the layoffs will not change its emphasis on the mobile market.<ref name="Layoffs At Diner Dash House PlayFirst"/> |
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On October 8, 2012, PlayFirst emailed its subscribers informing them that the company will cease the production of PC and Mac games and move to a new website since November 12, 2012. The email read, "We have established a firm position as one of the leading producers for iOS mobile applications and are currently working on implementing our games into the Android marketplace," and that current games in its catalogue will still be available for purchase on the third party websites like [[Big Fish Games]] and [[GameHouse]]. |
On October 8, 2012, PlayFirst emailed its subscribers informing them that the company will cease the production of PC and Mac games and move to a new website since November 12, 2012. The email read, "We have established a firm position as one of the leading producers for iOS mobile applications and are currently working on implementing our games into the Android marketplace," and that current games in its catalogue will still be available for purchase on the third party websites like [[Big Fish Games]] and [[GameHouse]]. |
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On September 3, 2014, PlayFirst was acquired by [[Glu Mobile]]. The official statement from Glu Mobile CEO, Niccolo de Masi, read "We are pleased to officially add PlayFirst to the Glu family and look forward to delivering new DASH products to a worldwide audience,"<ref name="Glu Mobile Completes Acquisition of PlayFirst">{{cite web |
On September 3, 2014, PlayFirst was acquired by [[Glu Mobile]]. The official statement from Glu Mobile CEO, Niccolo de Masi, read "We are pleased to officially add PlayFirst to the Glu family and look forward to delivering new DASH products to a worldwide audience,"<ref name="Glu Mobile Completes Acquisition of PlayFirst">{{cite web| url = http://www.playfirst.com/news/viewNewsItem/34| title = Glu Mobile Completes Acquisition of PlayFirst| author = PlayFirst| publisher = PlayFirst| date = 2014-09-03| access-date = 2014-09-03| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140925220730/http://www.playfirst.com/news/viewNewsItem/34| archive-date = 2014-09-25| url-status = dead}}</ref> |
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== Published and/or co-developed on PC/Mac platforms == |
== Published and/or co-developed on PC/Mac platforms == |
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* ''[[Parking Dash]]'' |
* ''[[Parking Dash]]'' |
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* ''[[Cooking Dash]]'' |
* ''[[Cooking Dash]]'' |
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* ''[[The Great Chocolate Chase: A Chocolatier Twist]]'' |
* ''[[The Great Chocolate Chase: A Chocolatier Twist]]'' |
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* ''[[Fashion Dash]]'' |
* ''[[Fashion Dash]]'' |
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* ''[[The Nightshift Code]]'' |
* ''[[The Nightshift Code]]'' |
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* ''[[Dress Shop Hop]]'' |
* ''[[Dress Shop Hop]]'' |
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* ''[[Diner Dash: Hometown Hero]]'' |
* ''[[Diner Dash: Hometown Hero]]'' |
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* ''[[Diner Dash: Hometown Hero |
* ''[[Diner Dash: Hometown Hero|Diner Dash: Flo Through Time]]'' |
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* ''[[Diner Dash: Hometown Hero |
* ''[[Diner Dash: Hometown Hero|Diner Dash: Seasonal Snack Pack]]'' |
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* ''[[Mahjong Roadshow]]'' |
* ''[[Mahjong Roadshow]]'' |
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* ''[[Daycare Nightmare]]'' |
* ''[[Daycare Nightmare]]'' |
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* ''[[Wedding Dash]]'' |
* ''[[Wedding Dash]]'' |
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* ''[[SpongeBob Diner Dash: 2 Times the Trouble]]'' |
* ''[[SpongeBob Diner Dash: 2 Times the Trouble]]'' |
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* ''[[Dream Chronicles]]'' |
* ''[[Dream Chronicles (video game)|Dream Chronicles]]'' |
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* ''[[Zenerchi]]'' |
* ''[[Zenerchi]]'' |
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* ''[[Chocolatier (video game)|Chocolatier]]'' |
* ''[[Chocolatier (video game)|Chocolatier]]'' |
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* ''[[Pirate Poppers]]'' |
* ''[[Pirate Poppers]]'' |
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* ''[[Egg vs. Chicken]]'' |
* ''[[Egg vs. Chicken]]'' |
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⚫ | |||
=== 2005 === |
=== 2005 === |
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* ''[[ |
* ''[[Chessmaster|Chessmaster Challenge]]'' |
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⚫ | |||
* ''[[Chessmaster Challenge]]'' |
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* ''[[Diner Dash]]'' |
* ''[[Diner Dash]]'' |
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* ''[[Oasis (video game)|Oasis]]'' |
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* ''[[Professor Fizzwizzle]]'' |
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* ''[[Mind Control Software|Spellagories]]'' |
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* ''[[Subway Scramble]]'' |
* ''[[Subway Scramble]]'' |
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* ''[[ |
* ''[[TriJinx]]'' |
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{{col-end}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chocolatier 2: Secret Ingredients for PC - GameFAQs |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/945001-chocolatier-2-secret-ingredients |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=gamefaqs.gamespot.com}}</ref> |
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{{end}} |
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== Published and/or co-developed on iOS platforms == |
== Published and/or co-developed on iOS platforms == |
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* ''[[Chocolatier: Decadence by Design]]'' |
* ''[[Chocolatier: Decadence by Design]]'' |
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* ''[[Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2#Video |
* ''[[Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2#Video games|Cloudy with a Chance of a Meatballs 2: Foodimal Frenzy]]'' (no longer available on App Store) |
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* ''[[Cooking Dash]]'' |
* ''[[Cooking Dash]]'' |
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* ''[[Cooking Dash: Thrills and Spills]]'' |
* ''[[Cooking Dash: Thrills and Spills]]'' |
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* ''[[DinerTown Pets]]'' |
* ''[[DinerTown Pets]]'' |
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* ''[[DinerTown Zoo]]'' |
* ''[[DinerTown Zoo]]'' |
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* ''[[Dream Chronicles]]'' |
* ''[[Dream Chronicles (video game)|Dream Chronicles]]'' |
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* ''[[Dream Chronicles: The Book of Air]]'' |
* ''[[Dream Chronicles: The Book of Air]]'' |
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* ''[[Dream Chronicles: The Book of Water]]'' |
* ''[[Dream Chronicles: The Book of Water]]'' |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.playfirst.com/ Official Website] |
* [http://www.playfirst.com/ Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921072230/http://www.playfirst.com/ |date=2007-09-21 }} |
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* [http://www.mobygames.com/company/playfirst-inc PlayFirst company profile] from [[MobyGames]] |
* [http://www.mobygames.com/company/playfirst-inc PlayFirst company profile] from [[MobyGames]] |
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{{Dash series}} |
{{Dash series}} |
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[[Category:Browser-based game websites]] |
[[Category:Browser-based game websites]] |
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[[Category:Video game companies established in 2004]] |
[[Category:Video game companies established in 2004]] |
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[[Category:Video game companies of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Video game publishers]] |
[[Category:Video game publishers]] |
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[[Category:Electronic Arts subsidiaries]] |
Latest revision as of 02:32, 19 August 2024
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Video games |
Founded | 2004 |
Founders |
|
Headquarters | , |
Key people |
|
Products | Casual game |
Owner | Electronic Arts |
Parent | Glu Mobile |
Website | PlayFirst.com |
PlayFirst, Inc. is a Delaware based American publisher of casual games founded in 2004 by industry veterans. PlayFirst produced the Diner Dash series, which won the 2008 Annual Casual Game Awards.[2] and has seen over 550 million downloads.[3][4] The popularity of Diner Dash series prompted spin-off series like Wedding Dash and Cooking Dash. The company’s game portfolio also includes the retro-style strategy-based Chocolatier series,[2] and the adventure/hidden object-mixing Dream Chronicles series.[2]
From 2005 to mid-2011, PlayFirst have released 72 casual games for PC and Mac, counting extra 7 Collector's Editions and Strategy Guides, thus they have 79 games in total in their game categories.
History
[edit]2004–2010: Early days, breakthrough, and maintaining the success of Dash series
[edit]PlayFirst’s biggest commercial success was its first game, Diner Dash, which was released for the first time on PC/Mac platforms in late 2004. Diner Dash was initially developed by Gamelab, a New York-based casual game developer, under a multi-title publishing agreement with PlayFirst. The success of Diner Dash with game critics and gamers prompted PlayFirst to release four sequels in the following years: Restaurant Rescue (2006), Flo on the Go (2006), Hometown Hero (2007), and the fifth BOOM! in 2010.
PlayFirst has also published Diner Dash across multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Facebook and consoles DS, Xbox, and Wii. PlayFirst games are available on more than 500 sites in 20 languages.[citation needed]
Spin-off series and games Wedding Dash (2007), Cooking Dash (2008), and Hotel Dash (2009) were released. However, they mostly earned lukewarm receptions from game critics and gamers.[citation needed]
Other non-Dash PlayFirst games includes the three-part, retro-style strategy-based Chocolatier series,[2] which was released during 2007 and 2009 in collaboration with Big Splash Games. The five-part, adventure/hidden object-mixing Dream Chronicles series was another highlight in PlayFirst's portfolio.[2] Dream Chronicles was released during 2007 and 2011 in collaboration with KatGames.
2010–2015: Cancellation of releasing on PC/Mac and new direction
[edit]In October 2010, PlayFirst announced a focus on the mobile and social market after raising $9.2 million from investors, and cancelled releasing further casual games in the near future. PlayFirst's forays into the social gaming market have proven unsuccessful, as low user counts forced the company to cancel all of its Facebook games, Diner Dash and Chocolatier, not long after launching them.[5]
As of late 2010, the company employed more than 100 workers, but laid off an unspecified number of its employees in early December 2011 due to "restructuring". Other social games veterans who joined the company in late 2010 from Playdom and Zynga have also left; however, PlayFirst claims the layoffs will not change its emphasis on the mobile market.[5]
On October 8, 2012, PlayFirst emailed its subscribers informing them that the company will cease the production of PC and Mac games and move to a new website since November 12, 2012. The email read, "We have established a firm position as one of the leading producers for iOS mobile applications and are currently working on implementing our games into the Android marketplace," and that current games in its catalogue will still be available for purchase on the third party websites like Big Fish Games and GameHouse.
On September 3, 2014, PlayFirst was acquired by Glu Mobile. The official statement from Glu Mobile CEO, Niccolo de Masi, read "We are pleased to officially add PlayFirst to the Glu family and look forward to delivering new DASH products to a worldwide audience,"[6]
Published and/or co-developed on PC/Mac platforms
[edit]Published and/or co-developed on iOS platforms
[edit]- Chocolatier: Decadence by Design
- Cloudy with a Chance of a Meatballs 2: Foodimal Frenzy (no longer available on App Store)
- Cooking Dash
- Cooking Dash: Thrills and Spills
- Diner Dash
- Diner Dash: Grilling Green
- DinerTown Pets
- DinerTown Zoo
- Dream Chronicles
- Dream Chronicles: The Book of Air
- Dream Chronicles: The Book of Water
- Egg vs. Chicken (no longer available on App Store)
- Hotel Dash / Hotel Dash Deluxe
- Hotel Dash 2: Lost Luxuries
- Hotel Transylvania Dash (no longer available on App Store)
- Love & Death: Bitten
- Parking Dash
- Soap Opera Dash
- Wedding Dash
- Wedding Dash 4-Ever
Playground SDK
[edit]Playground SDK is PlayFirst's game engine. It is discontinued.
References
[edit]- ^ Certificate Of Surrender Of Right To Transact Intrastate Business, California Secretary of State, 2015
- ^ a b c d e Gamezebo (2008-07-25). "2008 Second Annual Casual Game Awards Winners". Gamezebo. Archived from the original on 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
- ^ BusinessWire (2010-02-18). "PlayFirst announces debut of Game-Changing Facebook Connect Integration in Diner Dash 5: BOOM!". BusinessWire. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ Gamezebo (2011-01-25). "PlayFirst launches Diner Dash on Facebook". Gamezebo. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
- ^ a b Eric Caoili (2011-12-06). "Layoffs At Diner Dash House Playfirst". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2011-12-06.
- ^ PlayFirst (2014-09-03). "Glu Mobile Completes Acquisition of PlayFirst". PlayFirst. Archived from the original on 2014-09-25. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ^ "Chocolatier 2: Secret Ingredients for PC - GameFAQs". gamefaqs.gamespot.com. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
External links
[edit]- Official Website Archived 2007-09-21 at the Wayback Machine
- PlayFirst company profile from MobyGames