Poki (website)
Type of site | Browser gaming website |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Country of origin | Netherlands |
| Owner | Poki B.V. |
| Founders |
|
| Industry | Video game industry |
| URL | poki |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Optional |
| Current status | Active |
Poki is a Dutch browser game website operated by Poki B.V., an online video game company based in Amsterdam. The company was founded in 2014 by Sebastiaan Moeys and Michiel van Amerongen and distributes free-to-play HTML5 games through Poki.com.[1][2]
History
[edit]Poki was founded in 2014 in Amsterdam by Sebastiaan Moeys and Michiel van Amerongen, who had met as students at the University of Amsterdam.[1][2] The company focused on browser-based distribution during the transition from Adobe Flash to HTML5, while much of the games industry was moving toward app store distribution.[2]
In 2020, Poki partnered with British indie studio Nitrome to convert classic Flash-era games to HTML5 as browser support for Flash was being phased out.[3]
In November 2025, Bloomberg reported that Poki had reached approximately 100 million monthly active users.[1] MCV/Develop reported that data from Ahrefs estimated Poki.com received approximately 122.5 million monthly visits, representing an increase of approximately 569% over the previous five years.[2]
Poki's website received the Red Dot Design Award in Brands & Communication Design in 2018[4] and a Webby Award for Company Website in 2019.[5] In 2025, Poki received the Best in Business award at the Dutch Game Awards.[6][7]
Platform and business model
[edit]Poki operates a browser-based gaming platform hosting HTML5 games accessible on desktop, tablet and mobile devices without installation.[1][2][3] The platform is funded by advertising.[1]
Bloomberg reported that Poki charges developers more than the 30% fee typical of app stores, but helps developers connect their games with users and generate revenue.[1]
Reception
[edit]Common Sense Media, the nonprofit child media review organisation, reviewed Poki as a children's media destination and noted that the platform hosts thousands of browser-based games requiring no registration. The review criticised inconsistent game quality and described the platform as containing a "heavy amount of violence," concluding that "only older gamers should take a look with parental guidance." The review also noted that some games on the platform encouraged critical thinking and logical reasoning.[8]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 D'Anastasio, Cecilia (7 November 2025). "Video Games' Hottest New Platform Is an Old One: Websites". Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Why browser games are the next billion-dollar bet". MCV/Develop. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Interview: Why Poki is partnering with Nitrome and more to preserve the Flash games of old". PocketGamer.biz. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ "Poki – Red Dot Design Award 2018". Red Dot GmbH & Co. KG. 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ "Poki Company Website". Webby Awards. 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ "Dutch Game Awards 2025 Winners". Dutch Games Association. 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ "And the winners of the Dutch Game Awards 2025 are..." Dutch Games Association. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ "Poki Website Review". Common Sense Media. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2026.