Second Dinner Studios
Overview
Second Dinner Studios is an independent game development company celebrated for its success in the digital collectible card game genre, primarily known for "Marvel Snap". Founded in 2018 by renowned game developers Hamilton Chu, Ben Brode, Jomaro Kindred, Yong Woo, and Mike Schweitzer, the company is headquartered in Irvine, California. Having raised a total of $130 million over multiple funding rounds, Second Dinner is backed by prominent investors such as Griffin Gaming Partners and NetEase Games. The studio strives to create engaging, fun-filled games for platforms like mobile and PC.
Recent Developments
- January 2024: Second Dinner raised $100 million in a Series B funding round led by Griffin Gaming Partners. This funding aims to support the development of new titles and original IP, as well as grow "Marvel Snap" globally. (Business Wire, Crunchbase).
- August 2023: The company expanded "Marvel Snap" to Steam, making it fully cross-platform, further enhancing its accessibility and player base. (Business Wire).
- Early 2023: Second Dinner became a strategic investor in W4 Games, planning to develop a major title using the Godot engine. This partnership allows the company to leverage an open-source game engine and engage in a vibrant community. (VentureBeat).
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Irvine, California, USA |
| Founders | Hamilton Chu, Ben Brode, Jomaro Kindred, Mike Schweitzer, Yong Woo |
| Revenue | $200M (from "Marvel Snap" as of 2024) |
| Profits | N/A |
| Key Investors | Griffin Gaming Partners, NetEase Games |
| Industry | Entertainment Software, Gaming |
| Number of Employees | 138 |
Early History
Second Dinner Studios was established in 2018 by a team of veteran game developers who were part of the Hearthstone team at Blizzard Entertainment. The collective experience and expertise in developing popular card games laid a solid foundation for the studio. Initially, the company aimed to innovate within the digital card game genre by securing a partnership with Marvel to develop "Marvel Snap", which eventually became a huge success. The first funding round in 2019 brought in investments from NetEase Games, which helped the company solidify its partnership with Marvel.
Company Profile and Achievements
Second Dinner Studios operates predominantly as a remote studio, focusing on creating mobile and PC games that are fun and engaging. The studio's flagship game, "Marvel Snap", launched in 2022, stands out by amassing over $200 million in revenue and 22 million downloads. The game has received numerous awards, including Mobile Game of the Year and Apple's Innovation award. The business model is largely built around creating engaging and free-to-play games, monetized through in-app purchases and partnerships.
- 2019: Raised $30 million in a Series A funding round led by NetEase Games.
- 2022: Launched "Marvel Snap", which rapidly became a critical and commercial hit.
- 2023: Established a strategic partnership with W4 Games to utilize the Godot engine for new projects.
Current Operations and Market Position
Currently, Second Dinner Studios continues to focus on expanding "Marvel Snap" and exploring new game titles. The company's collaboration with W4 Games indicates a strategic shift towards leveraging open-source technology for future projects. As of 2024, the company has maintained a strong market presence by emphasizing new and exciting content for its players while keeping its operations primarily remote, allowing it to attract a wide range of talent. Second Dinner competes with larger entities like Zynga and Scopely but distinguishes itself through its unique game designs and player engagement strategies.
Second Dinner Games List
Second Dinner Studios is renowned for its game "Marvel Snap". This card battle game features a wide array of Marvel characters and is available on multiple platforms, including mobile, PC, and recently, Steam.
Square Enix
Despite not being directly linked, Second Dinner Studios shares the gaming landscape with industry giants like Square Enix. While Square Enix is known for its iconic RPG titles like "Final Fantasy", Second Dinner focuses on niche card game experiences, demonstrating the diversity in the gaming industry.
Conclusion
Second Dinner Studios has quickly established itself as an influential player in the gaming industry through its innovative and accessible gaming solutions. The launch and subsequent success of "Marvel Snap" underscores the company’s creative capabilities and potential for future growth. With significant funding and strategic partnerships, the studio is well-positioned to continue its trajectory in creating euphoric gaming experiences. Its focus on leveraging new technologies and expanding its game portfolio aligns with industry trends towards innovative and player-focused gaming solutions.