Discovery Bay Games

About Discovery Bay Games

Discovery Bay Games, founded in Seattle in 2006 by Craig Olson, initially entered the market as a traditional board game company. Olson, who had a background as an investment banker and co-founded Rivals.com, guided the company through a significant pivot.

In 2011, the company transitioned to the burgeoning iOS "appcessory" market, a niche combining physical hardware with digital apps. This strategic shift was marked by the launch of the 'Duo' line, a gaming device for the iPad. A key milestone was the release of the "Duo Gamer Controller," the first-ever Apple-approved game controller for iOS. The business model focused on creating and selling these physical accessories that interacted with and enhanced gameplay on Apple's mobile devices. Revenue was generated from the sale of these hardware products through major retailers.

The company forged partnerships with prominent game developers like Gameloft and brands such as Atari to create a library of compatible games, including titles like "Duo Plink" and "Duo Pop". Over its lifespan, Discovery Bay Games secured approximately $20.4 million in funding over three rounds from investors including Trilogy Equity Partners, Swiftsure, and Logitech. Despite its early moves in the appcessory space and significant financial backing, the company faced challenges. The Duo Gamer Controller received lukewarm reviews due to a high initial price point and limited game compatibility. The company ceased operations in May 2013.