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King.com has raised $84.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at King.com.
King.com has raised $84.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
King.com is a mobile game developer and publisher, best known for its Candy Crush Saga franchise and titles like Farm Heroes Saga and Bubble Witch, with primary operations based in Stockholm and London. The company focuses on interactive entertainment, delivering over 200 games across web, social, and mobile platforms to more than 200 million monthly active users globally. Operating on a freemium model, King generates revenue through in-app purchases and was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 2016 for $5.9 billion, reporting historical revenues of $579.8 million. It subsequently became part of Microsoft Gaming following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023, though it operates independently. With approximately 2,000 employees as of 2017, King has also partnered with companies like Flexion to expand its game distribution to alternative app stores. Founded in 2003 as Midasplayer.com, the company rebranded to King.com in 2005.
King.com has raised $84.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $43.0M Series A in August 2005.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2005 | $43M Series A | — | Chalfen Ventures | Announced |
| May 1, 2005 | $41M Series U | — | Astanor Ventures | Announced |
King.com has raised $84.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
King.com's investors include Chalfen Ventures, Astanor Ventures.
Key people at King.com.
King.com is a leading interactive entertainment company specializing in mobile and social games, best known for its globally popular *Candy Crush* franchise. It serves a broad audience of casual gamers worldwide, offering bite-sized, accessible gameplay that fits into daily life. King’s games are free to play with optional in-app purchases, and they emphasize cross-platform synchronization and social features to enhance player engagement. The company has demonstrated strong growth momentum, boasting over 200 million monthly active users and generating more than $20 billion in revenue over its 20-year history[2][3][4].
King was founded in 2003 by Riccardo Zacconi and a team including Toby Rowland and others with backgrounds in online dating and digital ventures. The idea emerged from their experience in web-based services and gaming, initially launching browser-based games before pivoting to social and mobile platforms. A pivotal moment was the launch of *Candy Crush Saga* in 2012, which propelled King to international prominence. The company was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 2016 for $5.9 billion and later became part of Microsoft’s portfolio in 2023[1][4][5].
King rides the wave of mobile and social gaming trends, capitalizing on the shift toward casual gaming accessible anytime, anywhere. The timing was crucial as social media platforms like Facebook opened up for gaming partnerships, and mobile device proliferation expanded the market. King’s success with *Candy Crush* helped popularize the freemium model and skill-based social games, influencing the broader gaming ecosystem by demonstrating the viability of casual games as a major revenue source[1][4].
Looking ahead, King is likely to continue expanding its portfolio with innovative casual games that leverage new technologies and platforms, maintaining its focus on player engagement and social connectivity. Trends such as augmented reality, cloud gaming, and AI-driven personalization may shape its future offerings. As part of Microsoft, King benefits from strong corporate backing and resources, positioning it well to sustain its influence in mobile gaming and adapt to evolving market dynamics[2][5].
King’s journey from a small startup to a global gaming powerhouse exemplifies the power of innovation and adaptability in the fast-changing tech landscape, making it a key player in shaping the future of interactive entertainment.
