Pocket Gems is a U.S.-based mobile game studio known for interactive storytelling title Episode and 3D strategy game War Dragons. Founded in 2009, the company says it has accumulated 300 million downloads to date and an app-analytics estimate put April revenue at $17.5 million, which would annualize to over $200 million. Pocket Gems said 2016 was a record year for sales and gamers but did not disclose figures, and it currently employs about 220 people. The studio is focusing on scaling the business with plans to hire at least 60 more staff and develop a new studio to build multiplayer titles for hardcore gamers. For existing games it plans to add a 'world map' feature to War Dragons and expand branded partnerships for Episode, including a simultaneous Hollywood-property release. Pocket Gems is also exploring localization and a China launch with help from Tencent. Pocket Gems is a mobile gaming company that develops and publishes titles for smartphones, most recently launching War Dragons aimed at hardcore gamers. Its portfolio of games has seen more than 200 million downloads total. The company says the Tencent investment will allow it to expand globally, including into China. Pocket Gems positions the partnership as a way to leverage Tencent’s games publishing and operations expertise in China to reach more players. The announcement framed the deal as strategic for global growth and product distribution. No other financial details were disclosed in the company release. Pocket Gems (formerly Streetview Labs) is a mobile gaming studio behind hits such as Tap Farm and Tap Zoo and a library that has grown to five games. Its titles have repeatedly reached Apple’s top ten charts, and it currently has two of the App Store’s top-25 grossing applications. The company has accumulated 15 million application installs on the iPhone. Pocket Gems monetizes via virtual goods and in-app purchases and, according to CEO Daniel Terry, is very cashflow positive. The company currently has 11 employees and plans to hire 45 over the next year; today’s funding will help support that hiring. Pocket Gems plans to expand to Android and the iPad to significantly increase its audience.

Total raised

$155M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

May 2017