tinyBuild Inc. is an American publisher of indie games based in Bellevue, Washington.[2] The company was established by Alex Nichiporchik and Tom Brien in 2011 to expand Brien's game No Time to Explain into a commercial release. Building from the success of the game's Steam release in 2013, tinyBuild partnered with DoubleDutch Games for the development and release of SpeedRunners, which landed tinyBuild further publishing deals. Since March 2020, the company has been founding or acquiring new studios to expand. It became a public company on the Alternative Investment Market in March 2021.
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| LSE: TBLD | |
| ISIN | USU8884H1033 |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 2011 in the Netherlands |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | , US |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Alex Nichiporchik (CEO) |
| Owner | Alex Nichiporchik (57.9%) [1] Atari SA (7.9%) NetEase (3.2%) |
Number of employees | 150 (2020) |
| Website | tinybuild.com |
History
edittinyBuild was founded in 2011 by Alex Nichiporchik (Latvian: Aleksandrs Ņičiporčiks) and Tom Brien.[3][4] Nichiporchik came from Latvia and had been a professional Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos player in the early 2000s, which made him enough money to drop out of high school and pursue a career in video game journalism.[5] While an employee of Spil Games in the Netherlands in 2010, he became interested in Flash games. He came across Super Meat Boy, which led to him to want to get into the business. Nichiporchik discovered No Time to Explain, a Flash game by Tom Brien, which he thought could be as successful as Super Meat Boy. Nichiporchik and Brien established tinyBuild in 2011 as a developer to expand No Time to Explain into a commercial release. The company headquarters were based in the Netherlands with Nichiporchik until both relocated to Seattle later on.[3]
tinyBuild launched a crowdfunding campaign for the game via Kickstarter and raised US$26,000 from a $7,000 target.[3] tinyBuild had agreed with the Russian publisher Buka Entertainment that the latter would publish retail versions of No Time to Explain in Russia, get the game released on Steam, and grant tinyBuild $24,500 in royalties in advance. However, Buka Entertainment failed to communicate with tinyBuild until stating that it was forced to cancel the project, withholding the royalties.[6][7] As No Time to Explain could not be launched via Steam, tinyBuild released it independently. The game recouped its development cost but did not turn a significant profit. tinyBuild went into hiatus for nearly a year thereafter until Steam introduced the Greenlight process for game approval. No Time to Explain became one of the first games to be greenlit for Steam in 2013 and had a successful release on the platform. Nichiporchik stated this experience burnt out tinyBuild, which was no longer interested in pursuing development but did not want to waste the newfound success. The company invested in, co-developed, and published the game SpeedRunners, which led to more developers pitching their games to tinyBuild, incrementally turning the company into a publisher.[3] To expand its publishing operations, it hired the video game journalist Mike Rose in December 2014.[8]
tinyBuild obtained $3.75 million in seed funding from Makers Fund in April 2018, followed by $15 million in series A funding from an undisclosed investor in February 2019.[9] The company established its first internal studio, HakJak Studios, with Guts and Glory developer Jed "HakJak" Steen in Boise, Idaho, in March 2020.[10] Nichiporchik believed that indie game publishers like tinyBuild would have to move away from "transactional relationships"—wherein the developer and publisher would work on one game and then move on—and instead build long-term relationships with the developers.[11] At this time, tinyBuild had 150 employees.[12] tinyBuild acquired the development team behind Hello Neighbor from Dynamic Pixels in July 2020 for an undisclosed sum to establish the studio Eerie Guest Studios in Hilversum. The company invested more than US$15 million into the Hello Neighbor franchise.[13] tinyBuild invested US$3 million into Hologryph, the team behind the Hello Neighbor multi-player spin-off, Secret Neighbor in November 2020.[14] In February 2021, tinyBuild acquired three studios it had previously worked with: We're Five Games, Hungry Couch, and Moon Moose.[15]
tinyBuild announced in February 2021 that it was to pursue an initial public offering on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol "TBLD". At the time, Nichiporchik owned 61.1% of the company, while the Chinese company NetEase owned 14.3%.[4] The company's shares began trading on March 9, 2021, with an initial market capitalization of £340 million.[16]
tinyBuild acquired the studio Animal in August 2021 for $10.2 million; Animal had been working on publishing their upcoming game Rawmen through tinyBuild.[17]
tinyBuild acquired Versus Evil and Red Cerberus in November 2021.[18]
The company acquired the intellectual property rights to the bulk of Bossa Studios' games including Surgeon Simulator and I Am Bread, for US$3 million in August 2022.[19]
Subsidiaries
editStudios
edit| Name | Location | Founded | Acquired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal | Pasadena, California, United States | 2015 | August 2021 |
| Eerie Guest Studios | Hilversum, Netherlands | July 2020 | — |
| Hologryph | Lviv, Ukraine | 2016 | November 2020 |
| Hungry Couch Games | Moscow, Russia | 2019 | February 2021 |
| DogHelm | Los Angeles, California, United States | 2015 | June 2021 |
| Bad Pixel | Voronezh, Russia | 2008 | September 2021 |
| Konfa Games | St. Petersburg, Russia | 2017 | August 2022 |
| Red Cerberus | São Paulo, Brazil | July 2017 | November 2021 |
Former
edit| Name | Location | Founded | Acquired | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HakJak Studios | Boise, Idaho, United States | March 2020 | — | December 2023[20] |
| Versus Evil | Baltimore, Maryland, United States | 2013 | November 2021 | December 2023[21] |
| We're Five Games | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | April 2012 | February 2021 | - 2023 [citation needed] |
| Moon Moose | St. Petersburg, Russia | 2019 | February 2021 | February 2024 [22] |
| DeMagic Games | Ukraine, Europe | 2019 | April 2022 | March 2024[23] |
Games developed
edit| Year | Title | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | No Time to Explain | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |
| 2015 | No Time to Explain Remastered | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| 2023 | Hello Engineer | Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch |
Games published
edit| Year | Title | Developer(s) | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Not the Robots | 2DArray | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows |
| 2014 | Fearless Fantasy | Enter Skies Entertainment | Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows |
| Spoiler Alert | Megafuzz | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows | |
| Lovely Planet | Quicktequila | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U | |
| 2015 | Divide by Sheep | Bread Team | Android, iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows |
| Party Hard | Pinokl Games | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Snail Bob 2 | Hunter Hamster | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows | |
| 2016 | Punch Club | Lazy Bear Games | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| Dungelot: Shattered Lands | Red Winter | Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows | |
| SpeedRunners | DoubleDutch Games | iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| One Troll Army | FlyAnvil | macOS, Microsoft Windows | |
| Boid | Mokus Games | Microsoft Windows | |
| Lovely Planet Arcade | Quicktequila | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows | |
| Road to Ballhalla | Torched Hill | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| The Final Station | Do My Best Games | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor | Sundae Month | macOS, Microsoft Windows | |
| Clustertruck | Landfall Games | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Party Hard Go | Pinokl Games | Android, iOS, Fire OS | |
| 2017 | Stage Presence | Sea Green Games | Microsoft Windows |
| Mr. Shifty | Team Shifty | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Community Inc | T4 Interactive | macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch | |
| Phantom Trigger | Bread Team | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Party Hard Tycoon (early access) |
|
Microsoft Windows | |
| Hello Neighbor | Dynamic Pixels | Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One | |
| 2018 | Garage: Bad Trip | Zombie Dynamics | macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch |
| Outpost Zero (early access) | Symmetric Games | Microsoft Windows | |
| Guts and Glory | HakJak Studios | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Graveyard Keeper | Lazy Bear Games | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Party Hard 2 |
|
Microsoft Windows | |
| Rapture Rejects (early access) |
|
Microsoft Windows | |
| Hello Neighbor: Hide and Seek | Dynamic Pixels | iOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One | |
| 2019 | Pandemic Express | Tall Boys Team | Microsoft Windows |
| Swag and Sorcery |
|
iOS, Microsoft Windows | |
| Pathologic 2 | Ice-Pick Lodge | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Lovely Planet 2: April Skies | Quicktequila | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows | |
| Streets of Rogue | Matt Dabrowski | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Totally Reliable Delivery Service | We're Five Games | Android, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Waking | Jason Oda | Microsoft Windows | |
| Secret Neighbor |
|
Microsoft Windows, Stadia, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | |
| 2020 | Not For Broadcast | NotGames | Microsoft Windows |
| Hello Puppets! | Otherworld Interactive | Microsoft Windows (VR Exclusive) | |
| Hellpoint | Cradle Games | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S | |
| Kill It with Fire | Casey Donnellan Games LLC | Microsoft Windows | |
| Punch Club 2: Fast Forward | Lazy Bear Games | Microsoft Windows | |
| Startup Panic | Algorocks | Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows | |
| Waking | Jason Oda | Microsoft Windows, Xbox One | |
| 2021 | Black Skylands (early access) | Hungry Couch | Microsoft Windows |
| Cartel Tycoon (early access) | Moon Moose | ||
| Happy's Humble Burger Farm | Scythe Dev Team | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch | |
| Mayhem in Single Valley | Fluxscopic Ltd. | Microsoft Windows | |
| Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator (early access) | niceplay games | Microsoft Windows | |
| Undungeon | Laughing Machines | Microsoft Windows, Xbox One | |
| 2022 | Not for Broadcast | NotGames | Microsoft Windows |
| Expedition Zero | Enigmatic Machines | ||
| Hello Neighbor 2 | Eerie Guest Studios | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch | |
| Tinykin | Splashteam | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | |
| Asterigos: Curse of the Stars | Acme Gamestudio | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | |
| Despot's Game | Konfa Games | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | |
| 2023 | RHYTHM SPROUT | SURT | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| Farworld Pioneers | Igloosoft | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| Black Skylands | Hungry Couch | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales[24] | DO MY BEST | macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | |
| Punch Club 2: Fast Forward | Lazy Bear Games | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One | |
| I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival | Mandragora | Microsoft Windows | |
| Hello Neighbor: Search & Rescue | Steel Wool Studios | Microsoft Windows, Meta Quest, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 | |
| Hello Neighbor: Nicky's Diaries | DeMagic Games | Android, iOS | |
| 2024 | Kingmakers | Redemption Road Games | Microsoft Windows |
| SAND | Hologryph, Towerhaus | Microsoft Windows | |
| Level Zero: Extraction | DOGHOWL Games | Microsoft Windows, Xbox, PlayStation | |
| Rawmen | Animal | Microsoft Windows | |
| Train Valley World | Flazm | Microsoft Windows, macOS | |
| TBA | Trash Sailors | fluckyMachine | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch |
| Pigeon Simulator | HakJak Studios | Microsoft Windows |
References
edit- ^ "Major Shareholders".
- ^ "tinyBuild AIM Admission Document" (PDF). tinyBuild. March 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Valentine, Rebekah (May 14, 2019). "TinyBuild: Development to publishing, and back again". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Muirhead, Calum (February 23, 2021). "Video game developer tinyBuild plans AIM float". Proactive Investors. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Conditt, Jessica (November 17, 2015). "Meet the high school dropout paving the way for indie eSports". Engadget. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Vincent, Brittany (June 20, 2017). "TinyBuild Games CEO claims they were scammed by a Russian publisher". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Bishop, Samantha (July 18, 2015). "No Time to Explain sucked, tinyBuild's CEO explains why". GameZone. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Sinclair, Brendan (December 1, 2014). "tinyBuild hires Mike Rose". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Valentine, Rebekah (February 15, 2019). "TinyBuild raises $15 million in Series A funding". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Sinclair, Brendan (March 3, 2020). "TinyBuild opening new Boise studio with Guts and Glory developer". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ Handrahan, Matthew (June 4, 2020). "Tinybuild: Indie publishers must move beyond "transactional relationships"". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Blake, Vikki (March 31, 2020). "'Indie publishing is dead' says Hello Neighbor franchise co-founder". MCV/Develop. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (July 16, 2020). "TinyBuild acquires Hello Neighbor devs and will invest $15 million in franchise". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (November 26, 2020). "TinyBuild invests $3 million in Secret Neighbor developer Hologryph". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ Batchelor, James (February 9, 2021). "TinyBuild acquires three studios". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ Handrahan, Matthew (March 9, 2021). "TinyBuild launches £340m IPO". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
- ^ McAloon, Alissa (August 19, 2021). "TinyBuild to 'acquihire' Rawmen developer Animal for up to $10.2 million". Gamasutra. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
- ^ "TinyBuild acquires Versus Evil and Red Cerberus in $31.3m deal". GamesIndustry.biz. November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ "TinyBuild acquires Bossa Studios IPs for $3m". August 26, 2022.
- ^ Ngan, Liv (December 6, 2023). "Layoffs reported at Hello Neighbor publisher TinyBuild". Eurogamer.
- ^ Stedman, Alex (December 22, 2023). "Indie Publisher Versus Evil Is Shutting Down, Entire Staff Laid Off". IGN. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Preliminary Unaudited Results to YE 31 Dec 2023".
- ^ "Preliminary Unaudited Results to YE 31 Dec 2023".
- ^ "The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales". Gamepressure. June 16, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.