InnoGames
German developer of free-to-play browser and mobile games.
InnoGames GmbH is a German video game developer and publisher based in Hamburg, founded in 2007. The company focuses on free-to-play online browser and mobile games, and is known for titles such as Tribal Wars, Forge of Empires, and Grepolis. It reached a turnover of €220 million in 2020 and has ten live games as of the source article's coverage.
Quick Facts
- Industry
- Video game industry
- Founded
- 2007 in Stade, Germany
- Founder
- Hendrik Klindworth · Michael Zillmer · Eike Klindworth
- Hq Location City
- Hamburg
- Hq Location Country
- Germany
- Key People
- Christian Reshöft (CEO), Michael Lenz (CBO), Sebastian Goldt (CMO)
- Revenue
- €220 million
- Revenue Year
- 2020
- Num Employees
- 350
- Num Employees Year
- 2024
- Parent
- Modern Times Group
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
InnoGames was founded in early 2007 by Eike and Hendrik Klindworth and Michael Zillmer to handle the operation, continued development, and marketing of their browser game Tribal Wars, which had been created as a hobby project in 2003. The company initially moved into offices in Harburg, Hamburg with 17 employees, and by 2009 had grown beyond 50 employees. In 2010, InnoGames founded a Korean subsidiary and received investment from Fidelity Growth Partners Europe. The company launched a central gaming portal in 2011 and opened a São Paulo location in 2013. In 2014, it moved to new offices in Hamburg Hammerbrook with room for 500 staff. Swedish media company Modern Times Group (MTG) acquired a 35% stake in 2016, later increasing to 51% in 2017 and 68% by the end of 2020. In July 2022, InnoGames became the first German games company to publish its salary bands. In October 2024, Christian Reshöft was appointed CEO, and Hendrik Klindworth transitioned to Chairman of the Board.
Reader's Guide
InnoGames has been a significant player in the free-to-play browser and mobile game market since its founding in 2007. Its debut game, Tribal Wars, launched as a hobby project in 2003, grew to tens of thousands of players by 2005 and eventually generated over €180 million in total sales by its 20th anniversary in 2023. The company's portfolio includes long-running titles such as Forge of Empires, which reached €1 billion in lifetime revenue by August 2023, and Grepolis, which exceeded €200 million in lifetime sales by September 2024. InnoGames expanded internationally with a Korean subsidiary in 2010 and a Brazilian office in 2013. The company's acquisition by MTG in stages from 2016 to 2020 reflected its valuation and growth. InnoGames also made headlines in 2022 for publishing salary bands to address industry prejudices and attract diverse talent. By July 2024, the company announced it had reached €2 billion in company lifetime revenues. Its legacy includes pioneering browser-based MMOs and successfully transitioning to mobile-first titles like Rise of Cultures and Heroes of History.
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