YoYo Games
YoYo Games is a British software development company based in Dundee, Scotland. Since February 2015, the company has been owned by Playtech.
Subsidiary | |
Industry | Video games |
Founded | 2007 |
Founders |
|
Headquarters | Dundee, Scotland, UK |
Key people | Stuart Poole (general manager) |
Products | GameMaker |
Parent | Playtech (2015–present) |
Website | www |
History
YoYo Games was founded in 2007 by Michel Cassius, Sandy Duncan, Spencer Hyman and James North-Hearn, former entertainment and video game industry executives. Duncan was appointed chief executive officer of the company.[1] On 26 January 2007, Mark Overmars announced his partnership with a company based in Dundee, Scotland, called YoYo Games.[2][3]
The company established its European office in Dundee in May 2010 by opening an office within Abertay University with two team members.[4] The company currently employs more than 25 employees.[5] YoYo Games has announced plans to create an additional 25 positions, over the next 18 months, in systems development, software engineering, sales and customer service.[6] The employees will be hired to help the company keep pace with the rapid evolution of the global games market and demand for Game Maker: Studio.[7] To accommodate this expansion, in June 2013, YoYo Games moved from its old location within Abertay University[7] into new office space on Dundee’s Waterfront redevelopment.[5] On 16 February 2015 it was announced that Playtech acquired YoYo Games for £10.65 million (USD$16.4 million).[8][9] Shortly thereafter, Duncan stepped down from his position.[10] He was later replaced by James Cox as general manager, who himself stepped down in October 2018 to be replaced by Stuart Poole in January 2019.[11]
References
- "YoYo Games". University of California, Santa Barbara.
- Public announcement from Mark Overmars, Game Maker Community
- Schonfeld, Erick; Yen, Yi-Wyn. "It's a Web, Web, Web 2.0 world". CNN Money. CNN. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- "YoYo Games Expands Into Dundee Waterfront". Dundee Waterfront. Dundee City Council. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- Williamson, James (23 April 2013). "Dundee's YoYo Games looks to next level - The Courier". The Courier. DC Thomson. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- "YoYo Games to Double its Staff to 50". Interactive Tayside. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- scottishgames (23 April 2013). "YoYo Games Expanding, Recruiting New Staff, Moving To New Office | Scottish Games Network". Scottish Games Network. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- Pearson, Dan (16 February 2015). "YoYo Games sells to PlayTech for $16.4 million". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- Chapple, Craig (16 February 2015). "PlayTech buys GameMaker creator YoYo Games for £10m". Develop. NewBay. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- Judge, Alysia (17 February 2015). "YoYo Games CEO steps down following $16 million Playtech deal". Pocket Gamer.biz.
- Handrahan, Matthew (16 January 2019). "YoYo Games promotes Stuart Poole to general manager". GamesIndustry.biz.