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CrazyGames

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"Crazy Games" redirects here. For the defunct Japanese game developer of the same name, see Climax Graphics. For the Indigo Girls song, see Crazy Game.
CrazyGames.com
Type of site
Brower-based gaming website
Available in24 languages
List of languages
  • Arabic
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English
  • Finnish
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hungarian
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Korean
  • Norwegian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Swedish
  • Thai
  • Turkish
  • Ukrainian
  • Vietnamese
Founded2014
Country of originBelgium
OwnerRaf Mertens
Founder(s)
  • Raf Mertens
  • Tomas Mertens
URLcrazygames.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
Users30+ millions
Current statusActive

CrazyGames is a Belgium-based, globally operating game website specializing in online games that can be played in-browser. The platform has about 4,500 games available across a variety of genres and categories, ranging from action to puzzle and sports games, as well as solo or multiplayer games.[1][2]

CrazyGames was founded by brothers Raf and Tomas Mertens in 2014 and is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium.[3] CrazyGames is the leading provider of web games in the US and one of the leaders worldwide.[4]

History

[edit]

Brothers Raf and Tomas Mertens founded CrazyGames in 2014 as a hobby project. In 2015, Tomas left the company to focus on other projects. In 2017, the company joined the incubator start it @KBC.[5] The website grew rapidly and reached the 5 million unique users mark.[when?]

In October 2018, a prototype developer platform was launched. With this, the company wanted to build a developer community and provide game developers with an initial audience for their games. With the platform, developers can upload their games themselves on CrazyGames.[6][7]

The company has continued to grow rapidly since then.[8][9][10][11][12]

Growth

[edit]

In November 2018, CrazyGames was nominated as one of ten rising stars by Deloitte Belgium.[13] The Rising Star competition is part of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 competition, an annual selection of the 50 fastest growing and innovative technology companies.[14]

In 2019, CrazyGames ranked seventh of Deloitte's 2019 Fast 50 ranking with a growth rate of 1,216.09%.[15] One year later, in 2020, the company moved up to fourth with a growth rate of 1,667.75%.[16] They were also nominated and ranked in the Deloitte Fast 50 in 2021.[17]

In September 2023 CrazyGames was nominated among the 50 fastest-growing Belgian technology companies, an acknowledgment announced by Deloitte. This nomination highlights CrazyGames' rapid growth and significant impact within the tech industry.[18][19]

In January 2024, CrazyGames expanded its team to 26 members.[20][21]

This team expansion coincided with a financial boost, as Smartfin invested over 10 million euros, demonstrating strong investor confidence and providing the resources needed to accelerate growth and innovation.[2][22]

In March, the Financial Times recognized CrazyGames among the top 1000 fastest-growing European companies.[23]

April saw CrazyGames featured on Fortune.com, highlighting its integration of AI technologies which positions the company at the forefront of the European startup scene.[24]

Further solidifying its reputation, CrazyGames was also mentioned in an April 2024 Financial Times article as a resilient figure within the Belgian startup scene. This acknowledgment reflects the company’s stability and adaptability in maintaining growth and innovation amidst fluctuating economic conditions.[25]

Product

[edit]

The platform is freely accessible through any web browser. Games can be played without an installation. Users can register an account, but this is optional.

CrazyGames makes money from programmatic advertisements and in-game purchases through a partnership with in-game payment provider Xsolla.[26][27]

In 2018 CrazyGames launched a self serving platform for game developers, allowing anybody to submit a game to the website.[28][29]

Game developers can submit their games to CrazyGames in a self-service model and receive a share of the revenue that their games generate.[30][31][32]

The games are reviewed by a team of Quality Assurance Specialists against CrazyGames’s quality guidelines.[33]

The company provides an SDK to add in-game functionality such as advertisements, persistent game progress, accounts, purchases and more. This SDK is available for various game engines including Unity, Cocos Creator, Godot, and others.[34][35][36]

Games on crazyGames use HTML5 web technologies such as WebAssembly, WebGL, and WebGPU. Its founder, Raf Mertens, is a vocal proponent of WebGPU and the potential for disruption that this technology holds for the casual gaming sector.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary in October 2023, CrazyGames launched "CrazyGames Originals," a new initiative to develop and host original browser games exclusive to their platform.[37]

Partnerships

[edit]

CrazyGames is a partner of Canadian video game development studio and game publisher Blue Wizard Digital, as Shell Shocker, Blue Wizard's most popular game, surpassed 35 million game plays on CrazyGames’ portals in August 2021.[38]

In September 2022, CrazyGames formed a strategic partnership with Playable Factory, a Turkish company renowned as one of the leading global creators of playable ads.[39]

In March 2023, CrazyGames published Trivia Crack[40] and made it available, for the first time, to instant browser gamers worldwide. The game has more than 600 million downloads worldwide and more than 150 million active users annually, besides being available in more than 180 countries, ranking first in trivia games in 125 of them.[41][42]

On May 23, 2023, CrazyGames entered into a partnership with Kwalee, aiming to bring mobile titles to the web. The move will allow players to play these previously mobile-only titles via their web browser, with no download required. As a result, 11 Kwalee titles are available on the CrazyGames web platform.[43]

At the same time, CrazyGames introduced an SDK guide tailored specifically for Cocos Creator developers. This initiative, detailed in a post on the official Cocos website, aims to provide Cocos developers with resources and tools for integration of their games onto the CrazyGames platform.[44]

Words of Wonders was also released on CrazyGames.[45]

On June 23, 2023, CrazyGames launched a new game titled Sandtrix. This game uniquely combines elements of sand simulation with traditional puzzle mechanics, offering players a distinctive gaming experience. The gameplay involves manipulating sand particles within various puzzle environments, where players must strategically move and place sand to complete levels and progress through increasingly complex challenges.[46]

In July 2023, CrazyGames promoted Rafael Morgan to VP of Marketing and Partnerships.[47]

August 2023 saw the launch of popular games Agar.io and Ludo Club under CrazyGames’ banner. The company was also named as the greatest collection of flash games by Wired, acknowledging their efforts to preserve and continue the legacy of flash-based gaming in the post-Flash era.[48]

Sponsorships

[edit]

CrazyGames is an active supporter of the web game development ecosystem, including sponsorships of JS13kgames, Global Game Jam, and talks at Pocket Gamer Connects and Game Developers Conference.[49][50][51][52]

Platform

[edit]

CrazyGames attracts more than 30 million users each month to its platform, as reported by sources such as De Tijd and Google Ads.[2][53]

The website focuses on games for children, teenagers, and adults. The platform is one of the ten largest free browser gaming platforms worldwide.[54] While the primary focus is on the English-speaking market,[55][56] the platform also offers quite a few localized versions (24 in total).[1] The platform allows game developers to publish and monetize HTML5 games that may or may not use the technology WebGL.[57][58]

Reception

[edit]

CrazyGames has received generally positive reception.

Wired praised it for having “the greatest collection of flash games”, acknowledging their efforts to preserve and continue the legacy of flash-based gaming in the post-Flash era.[59]

Yahoo Lifestyle praised its “prolific puzzle section”.[60]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "CrazyGames - Free Online Games on CrazyGames.com". www.crazygames.com. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Jonge Vlaming verovert wereld met 'TikTok van gamingscene'". tijd.
  3. ^ "CrazyGames LinkedIn". LinkedIn. 30 October 2023.
  4. ^ Dewever, Dimitri (2 February 2024). "Belgische games zijn booming business". Forbes België (in Flemish). Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  5. ^ it @kbc, Start (3 October 2018). "CrazyGames launches new Developer Portal with revenue share options". Start it X. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  6. ^ "CrazyGames Developer Portal | Publish Unity and HTML5 web games and earn revenue". developer.crazygames.com. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Game distribution – Game development | MDN". developer.mozilla.org. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  8. ^ Bounds, Andy (25 March 2024). "'Resilience' of Belgian economy supports local start-ups". Financial Times. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  9. ^ "2020 Fast 50 ranking and winners announced | Deloitte Belgium | Technology Fast 50". 27 January 2022. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  10. ^ "2019 Fast 50 ranking and winners announced | Deloitte Belgium | Technology Fast 50". 27 January 2022. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  11. ^ "About | Technology Fast 50 | Deloitte Belgium". 24 August 2022. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Fast50 Nominees | Deloitte Belgium". 24 August 2022. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Fast 50 – Nominees". Deloitte Belgium. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  14. ^ "About | Technology Fast 50". Deloitte Belgium. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  15. ^ "2019 Fast 50 ranking and winners announced | Deloitte Belgium | Technology Fast 50". Deloitte Belgium. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  16. ^ "2020 Fast 50 ranking and winners announced | Deloitte Belgium | Technology Fast 50". Deloitte Belgium. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  17. ^ "2021 Fast 50 nominees announced | Deloitte Belgium | Technology Fast 50". Deloitte Belgium. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  18. ^ "CrazyGames celebrates 10th anniversary with the launch of CrazyGames Originals | Game Industry News". 24 October 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  19. ^ Takahashi, Dean (24 October 2023). "CrazyGames celebrates 10th anniversary with launch of Originals browser games". VentureBeat. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  20. ^ "CrazyGames". about.crazygames.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  21. ^ "CrazyGames". Google for Publishers. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  22. ^ "AI helps startups scale, boosting Italy, Belgium ecosystems | Fortune". fortune.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  23. ^ Kilby, Nathalie (1 March 2024). "FT 1000: the eighth annual ranking of Europe's fastest-growing companies". www.ft.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  24. ^ "AI is helping startups scale at a rapid pace". Fortune. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  25. ^ Bounds, Andy (25 March 2024). "'Resilience' of Belgian economy supports local start-ups". Financial Times. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  26. ^ "CrazyGames". Google for Publishers. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  27. ^ "CrazyGames announces strategic partnership with Xsolla | Game Industry News". 31 August 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  28. ^ it @kbc, Start (3 October 2018). "CrazyGames launches new Developer Portal with revenue share options". Start it X. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  29. ^ thegg.net, The Gaming Ground (14 October 2018). "CrazyGames have launched a Gaming developer portal - TGG". thegg.net. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  30. ^ it @kbc, Start (3 October 2018). "CrazyGames launches new Developer Portal with revenue share options". Start it X. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  31. ^ thegg.net, The Gaming Ground (14 October 2018). "CrazyGames have launched a Gaming developer portal - TGG". thegg.net. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Game distribution - Game development | MDN". developer.mozilla.org. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Quality guidelines - CrazyGames Documentation". docs.crazygames.com. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Introduction - CrazyGames Documentation". docs.crazygames.com. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  35. ^ "CrazyGames Brings New Opportunities To Cocos Developers". www.cocos.com. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Introduction - CrazyGames Documentation". docs.crazygames.com. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  37. ^ Takahashi, Dean (24 October 2023). "CrazyGames celebrates 10th anniversary with launch of Originals browser games". VentureBeat. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  38. ^ Miller, George (20 August 2021). "Shell Shockers passes 35 million game plays on CrazyGames' web portals". European Gaming Industry News. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  39. ^ "HTML5 game platform CrazyGames partners up with Playable Factory". Game Industry News. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  40. ^ "Trivia Crack 🕹️ Play Trivia Crack on CrazyGames". www.crazygames.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  41. ^ Tweedie, Steven. "How A Trivia App Broke The Record For The Longest Streak At The Top Of The App Store". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  42. ^ "'Trivia Crack' the top download". Edmonton SUn. 14 December 2014.
  43. ^ Morris, Iwan; Writer, Staff (18 May 2023). "Kwalee partners with CrazyGames to bring mobile titles to the web". pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  44. ^ "CrazyGames Brings New Opportunities To Cocos Developers". www.cocos.com. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  45. ^ "Words of Wonders 🕹️ Play on CrazyGames". www.crazygames.com. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  46. ^ Strauss, Paul (8 June 2023). ""Sandtrix" Puzzle Game Is Like "Tetris" But Where the Blocks Are Made of Sand". The Awesomer. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  47. ^ Long, Neil (17 July 2023). "Jobs weekly: Tripledot takes on 16, 8 Ball Pool's creators' new start-up plus moves at Gram, Scopely, Konvoy and more". Mobilegamer.biz. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  48. ^ Pot, Justin. "How to Play All of Those Old Flash Games You Remember". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  49. ^ end3r. "Js13kGames - HTML5 and JavaScript Game Development Competition in just 13 kilobytes". js13kgames.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  50. ^ "Why CrazyGames could be home to your GGJ submissions this year | Global Game Jam". 20 March 2023. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  51. ^ Muhammad, Isa; Writer, Staff (8 March 2024). "Rafael Morgan of CrazyGames to discuss Alternative Monetisation Strategies at PGC San Francisco". pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  52. ^ "Unity Developer Summit: Best Practices for Building Successful Web Games in Unity 2022 LTS (Presented by Unity)". gdcvault.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  53. ^ "CrazyGames". Google for Publishers. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  54. ^ it @kbc, Start (3 October 2018). "CrazyGames launches new Developer Portal with revenue share options". Start it X. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  55. ^ Tendances, Trends (18 December 2018). "CrazyGames, les rois belges du jeu en ligne". Trends-Tendances (in French). Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  56. ^ Evers, Freek (5 October 2018). "Leuvense start-up wil onafhankelijke game-ontwikkelaars een boost geven". De Morgen (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  57. ^ "Game distribution - Game development | MDN". developer.mozilla.org. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  58. ^ Miller, George (20 August 2021). "Shell Shockers passes 35 million game plays on CrazyGames' web portals". European Gaming Industry News. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  59. ^ Pot, Justin. "How to Play All of Those Old Flash Games You Remember". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  60. ^ "10 of the best free online puzzles to enjoy at home". Yahoo Life. 12 April 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
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