Ngmoco

About Ngmoco

Ngmoco, short for Next Generation Mobile Company, was a prominent mobile games publisher and developer operating in the burgeoning smartphone application market. The company was established in July 2008 by a team of veterans from Electronic Arts: Neil Young, Bob Stevenson, Alan Yu, and Joe Keene. Young, who became the CEO, had an extensive background at EA, managing major franchises like The Sims 2 and Lord of the Rings, and saw the disruptive potential of the iPhone as a gaming platform when the App Store and SDK were announced. This insight led him to partner with Stevenson to create a company focused on delivering high-quality games for Apple's new ecosystem.

The firm initially focused on publishing premium games for the iPhone, launching its first three titles, Topple, MazeFinger, and Rolando, in October 2008. Rolando, in particular, was praised for its design and for being one of the first games to feel truly native to the iPhone, making clever use of its tilt and touch capabilities. Ngmoco's business model evolved significantly over its lifespan. Recognizing the financial limitations of premium-priced games, the company pivoted to a "freemium" model. This strategy involved offering games for free and generating revenue through in-app purchases of virtual goods and services. A key component of this was the Plus+ network, a social platform launched in June 2009 that provided features like scoreboards and social media integration, which other developers could also use. This shift proved successful, with hits like Eliminate Pro, We Rule, and Godfinger driving user growth and revenue.

The company's rapid ascent and innovative business model attracted significant venture capital, securing a total of $40.6 million from firms including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Norwest Venture Partners. This culminated in October 2010 when Japanese mobile giant DeNA acquired Ngmoco for up to $400 million, seeking a strong entry into the Western mobile gaming market. Following the acquisition, Ngmoco became the regional headquarters for DeNA's Western operations. However, the founders' involvement gradually decreased; Neil Young and Bob Stevenson departed in October 2012. By 2013, Ngmoco began shutting down the servers for several of its popular online games, and on October 18, 2016, DeNA announced the closure of all its Western subsidiaries, including Ngmoco.