FTX Games is an American video game publisher based in San Diego. Originally founded as Funtactix in 2006, the company was acquired by Playtech in March 2016 and was rebranded as FTX Games.[3] In July 2020, FTX Games was acquired by Tilting Point Media.[4]
History
Funtactix was founded in Israel in 2006 by Yaron Leifenberg and Ilan Graicer, backed by Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP) and Benchmark Capital.[5] Based on an internally developed engine, the company launched Moondo, which enabled players to create and port their character avatar across web-based, online 3D multiplayer games.[6]
In 2009, the company switched to a Flash and HTML5 platform to create IP-based games. This included a partnership with Paramount,[7] to create licensed social games for select IPs, such as Rango: The World or Mission: Impossible - The Game, based on the Rango and Mission: Impossible film franchises, respectively.[8] In partnership with Lions Gate Entertainment, Funtactix announced The Hunger Games Adventures in 2012[9] based on The Hunger Games film series. The game was released on Facebook (March 23, 2012), iPad (September 2012), and iPhone (February 7, 2013).[10]
By 2016, Funtactix was acquired by Playtech and officially rebranded as FTX Games.[11] In July 2020, FTX Games was acquired by Tilting Point Media.[12]
A virtual world of online multi-player 3D games, it was one of the first full 3D action games in the browser and the first to introduce the cross-gaming concept of a single avatar used in multiple games.[13]
Rango: The World was based on the animated film Rango and launched day and date with the movie's theatrical release. Rango: The World was a flash-based Massively multiplayer online game (MMO) aimed at children. This game was one of several planned games as part of a multi-title deal with Paramount to produce virtual worlds and games for selected Paramount brands.[14][15][16]
The official social network game for The Hunger Games series of films and novels was released in closed beta for fans concurrently with the theatrical release of the film on March 23, 2012.[19] The game was then released to the public a week later on March 30, 2012.[20]The Hunger Games Adventures was then released on iPad on September 13, 2012[21][22] and iPhone/iPod Touch on February 7, 2013, with a release on the Kindle Fire on October 18, 2013.
On January 6, 2015, Funtactix announced a partnership with Saban Brands to create a new mobile card battle game based on the Power Rangers named Power Rangers: UNITE.[24]
The official mobile game of the Hot Tub Time Machine films, Hot Tub Time Machine: Tap That was announced on December 22, 2014[25] and then launched on Facebook, Google Play Store and App Store on January 15, 2015[26]
Created in collaboration with the creators of the TV show Breaking Bad, Breaking Bad: Criminal Elements was developed by Plamee. According to Breaking Bad show creator, Vince Gilligan, the game is “an authentic extension of the series’ story universe.” [35]
Awards
2013 Webby – Best Social Game on Tablet and Other Devices[36]