PlayFirst
Publisher of Diner Dash and other casual games.
PlayFirst, Inc. was a Delaware-based American publisher of casual games, launched in 2004 by experienced industry figures. Its most famous creation was the Diner Dash series, which won the 2005 Casual Game of the Year award and racked up more than 500 million downloads. That success spawned spin-offs like Wedding Dash and Cooking Dash. The company’s catalog also included the retro-style strategy Chocolatier series and the adventure/hidden-object Dream Chronicles series. In September 2014, Glu Mobile bought PlayFirst; Glu Mobile itself was then acquired by Electronic Arts in April 2021.
Quick Facts
- Hq Location City
- Delaware
- Hq Location Country
- United States
- Key People
- Kenny Shea Dinkin · (CCO) · Marco DeMiroz · (CEO) · Bruce Sherrod · (VPE)
- Founders
- John Welch · Brad Edelman · Jason Rubinstein
- Industry
- Video games
- Products
- Casual game
- Founded
- 2004
- Parent
- Glu Mobile (2014–2021) / EA Mobile (2021–present)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
PlayFirst was founded in 2004 by industry veterans. Its first and most commercially successful game, Diner Dash, was released for PC and Mac in late 2004, developed by Gamelab under a multi-title publishing agreement. The game's success led to four sequels: Restaurant Rescue (2006), Flo on the Go (2006), Hometown Hero (2007), and BOOM! (2010). PlayFirst published Diner Dash across multiple platforms including PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Facebook, DS, Xbox, and Wii, and its games were available on more than 500 sites in 20 languages. Spin-off series Wedding Dash (2007), Cooking Dash (2008), and Hotel Dash (2009) received lukewarm receptions. Other notable games included the three-part Chocolatier series (2007–2009, with Big Splash Games) and the five-part Dream Chronicles series (2007–2011, with KatGames).
Reader's Guide
PlayFirst played a significant role in the casual game market of the 2000s, particularly through the Diner Dash franchise, which became a cultural touchstone with over 550 million downloads and a 2008 Casual Game Award. The company's shift to mobile and social gaming after 2010, however, proved challenging: its Facebook games were canceled due to low user counts, and it ceased production of PC and Mac games in 2012. Despite these struggles, PlayFirst's legacy endures through its Dash series and its acquisition by Glu Mobile, which later became part of Electronic Arts. The company's portfolio, including the Chocolatier and Dream Chronicles series, exemplifies the diversity of casual game genres during its active years. PlayFirst's history illustrates the transition from PC-based casual games to mobile platforms, a shift that reshaped the industry.
Did You Know?
- PlayFirst's original Diner Dash won the 2005 Casual Game of the Year award and has seen over 500 million downloads.
- PlayFirst released 72 casual games for PC and Mac from 2005 to mid-2011, plus 7 Collector's Editions and Strategy Guides, totaling 79 games.
- PlayFirst was acquired by Glu Mobile in September 2014; Glu Mobile was later acquired by Electronic Arts in April 2021.
- PlayFirst's Facebook game Diner Dash: The Social Game was released and later shut down after the Glu acquisition, not cancelled due to failure.
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