Skillz (company)

Skillz
Type Mobile gaming
Launch date March 2012
Platform iOS and Android
Status Active
Website skillz.com

Skillz is an online multiplayer competition platform that can be integrated into iOS[1][2] and Android games. Skillz operates cash competitions in mobile games of skill. The company launched in 2012 in North America in stealth mode under the name Lookout Gaming.[3]

History

Skillz was founded by Andrew Paradise and Casey Chafkin. Both are veterans of AisleBuyer, a Boston-based mobile checkout tech startup which was founded by Andrew Paradise and acquired by Intuit in 2012.[4] Skillz has offices in San Francisco and Boston and has raised $10.3M in funding led by Atlas Ventures.[5]

In April 2013, Skillz launched its platform on Android with ten titles and ten game studio partners.[6] In its first two weeks, Skillz surpassed one million downloads and 100,000 real-money gaming registrations.[7]

In May 2014, Skillz publicly announced the availability of its iOS SDK and reported that it has partnered with more than 300 game studios and has launched more than 150 games on the App Store.[8][9]

Product

Skillz provides an SDK for mobile games developers that allows users to compete for real money.[10] In May 2014, Skillz reported hosting 50,000 micro-tournaments everyday across 150 different games.[11] By enabling cash competitions in mobile games, Skillz is the first company to provide a cash competition SDK[12] and its stated mission is to enable eSports for everyone. Founders Casey Chafkin and Andrew Paradise are trying to democratize eSports by enabling eSport competitions for all players.[8]

Availability

Skillz provides both virtual currency and cash tournaments worldwide. In the United States, Skillz operates cash competitions in 37 states, and virtual currency competitions nationwide.[11][12]

Skillz enabled games

Known Skillz enabled games

References

  1. ↑ "Skillz Brings Real Money Gaming Platform to iOS". pcmag. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Skillz brings its real-money gaming platform to iOS". thenextweb.com. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "Lookout Gaming Takes $1.3M Seed Round To Accelerate Indie Game Revenues". techcrunch.com. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "Intuit Acquires AisleBuyer Tech for $80 - $100 Million". bostinno.streetwise.co. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "With already 1.5 million users, Skillz arrives in iOS App Store". betaboston.com. 2014-05-28. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Skillz enables wagers on games of skill". bizjournals.com. Apr 30, 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "Skillz rides skill-based real money gaming to pass 1M downloads in its first two weeks". pando.com. May 23, 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Skillz lets game players win real money". sfgate.com. May 28, 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Skillz brings friendly wagers to iPhone games". news.yahoo.com. May 28, 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "Skillz SDK supports real money gaming". develop-online.net. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  11. 1 2 "The Booming Business of Cash Prize Gaming". inc.com. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Skillz brings real-money gaming to the U.S". insidemobileapps.com. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
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