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{{short description|Swiss mobile game publisher}}
{{Infobox Dotcom company
{{Advert|date=September 2020}}
|company_name = Miniclip SA

|company_slogan = "Play Online Games"<br />(Former slogans: "Play Free Games", "Free Games and Shows")
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
|company_logo = ]
{{Infobox website
|foundation = 2001
| name = Miniclip
|location_city = ]
| logo = Miniclip.svg
|location_country = ]
| screenshot =
|key_people = '''Robert Small''': ]<br />'''Tihan Presbie''': President
| caption =
|url =
| screenshot_size = 300px
|registration = Optional
| collapsible =
|current_status = Active
| company_type = ]
|language = English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese ], Italian, Polish, Khmer, Romanian, Hungarian, Korean, Chinese,Turkish, and Japanese
| foundation = 30 March 2001
| alexa = {{decrease}} 515 ({{As of|2011|7|alt= July 2011}})<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/www.miniclip.com | title=Miniclip.com - Site Information from Alexa | accessdate=2011-02-08}}</ref>
| founder = Robert Small
|screenshot = ]
| location_city = ]
|collapsible = yes
| location_country = Switzerland
|caption = Screenshot of the Miniclip homepage as of August 2010
| key_people = Robert Small (])<br>Marius Manolache (])<br>James Russell (])<br>Sérgio Varanda (])<br>Claudia Gorman (])<br>Stefan Beurier (])
|advertising =
| CEO = Saad Choudri (])
|website_type = ]
| parent = ] (since 2015)<ref name=x33>{{cite web |publisher=Games Industry |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tencent-takes-majority-stake-in-miniclip |title=Tencent takes majority stakes in Miniclip |date=19 February 2015 |access-date=11 August 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811082215/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tencent-takes-majority-stake-in-miniclip }}</ref>
| url = {{URL|miniclip.com}}
| registration = Optional
| current_status = Active
| language = English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, Russian, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian, Korean, Chinese, Turkish, Hindi, Japanese
| language_count = 16
| advertising = No
| website_type = ]
}} }}
'''Miniclip''' is a Swiss ] publisher and former ] ] that was first launched on 30 March 2001.<ref name="Gameindustry">{{cite web|last1=Weber|first1=Rachel|title=From MiniClip to Mega Brand|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-17-miniclip-interview|website=Game Industry Biz|date=17 May 2013|access-date=3 November 2016|archive-date=7 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607181314/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-17-miniclip-interview|url-status=live}}</ref> It was started by Robert Small and Tihan Presbie with a budget of £40,000.<ref name="ft article">{{cite web|publisher=The Financial Times|title=Game Plan Keeps It Simple |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d074cf50-7375-11dd-8a66-0000779fd18c.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603015821/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d074cf50-7375-11dd-8a66-0000779fd18c.html |archive-date=3 June 2009 }}</ref> In 2008, Miniclip was valued at over £275 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-24 |title=Miniclip has been shut down forever |url=https://www.gamingbible.com/news/miniclip-has-been-shut-down-forever-20221024 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=GAMINGbible |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, the company gained over $400 million in revenue through its mobile gaming hit, ''8 Ball Pool''.<ref>{{cite web| website= Pocketgamer.biz| publisher= Pocket Gamer| title= Miniclip pockets over $400 million from 8 Ball Pool on mobile| last= Iain| first= Harris| date= 14 September 2018| access-date= 7 August 2023| url= https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/69033/miniclip-pockets-over-400m-through-8-ball-pool-revenue/| url-status= live| archive-date= 7 August 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230807105632/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/69033/miniclip-pockets-over-400m-through-8-ball-pool-revenue/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Sensor Tower |title=Miniclip Racks Up $400 Million in 8 Ball Pool Revenue |url=https://sensortower.com/blog/8-ball-pool-revenue |last=Oliver |first=Yeh |access-date=8 August 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723124905/https://sensortower.com/blog/8-ball-pool-revenue}}</ref>


==History==
'''Miniclip''' is a popular website famed for its browser-based casual and exciting games. It was started in 2001 by Robert Small and Tihan Presbie on a budget of £40,000<ref>{{Cite web| title=FT.com - Game Plan Keeps It Simple | url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d074cf50-7375-11dd-8a66-0000779fd18c.html}}</ref> and quickly grew to become a leader in its respective market. As of 2008, the company has been valued at over £200 million, having been profitable for six of its seven years, with turnovers exceeding £20 million in the past two years.<ref>{{Cite web| title=FT.com - Game Plan Keeps It Simple | url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d074cf50-7375-11dd-8a66-0000779fd18c.html}}</ref> As well as publishing exclusive games, the website also provides more widely known titles such as '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.
As of July 2009, over 400 ] were hosted on its own website.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-07-07 |title=About Miniclip - Miniclip Corporate Site {{!}} Free Online Games |url=http://corporate.miniclip.com/about-miniclip.htm |access-date=2022-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707104815/http://corporate.miniclip.com/about-miniclip.htm |archive-date=7 July 2009 }}</ref>


In February 2015, ] acquired majority stakes of Miniclip.<ref>{{cite news|title=China's Tencent moves into Europe with investment in mobile and online game publisher Miniclip (exclusive)|url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/02/18/chinas-tencent-invests-in-europes-mobile-and-online-game-publisher-miniclip-exclusive/|work=VentureBeat|date=18 February 2015|access-date=7 May 2017|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015304/https://venturebeat.com/2015/02/18/chinas-tencent-invests-in-europes-mobile-and-online-game-publisher-miniclip-exclusive/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=x33/> In December 2016, Miniclip surpassed 1 billion downloads across its published mobile games on ]-based, ]-based, and ]-based devices. In March 2022, Miniclip announced that it had reached 4 billion downloads worldwide with ''8 Ball Pool'' alone accounting for 1 billion of them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Aaron |title=Miniclip exceeds 4 billion downloads |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/78493/miniclip-exceeds-4-billion-downloads/ |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=pocketgamer.biz |date=28 March 2022 |archive-date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329111029/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/78493/miniclip-exceeds-4-billion-downloads/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |website=Gameworldobserver |publisher=Game World Observer |last=Evgeny |first=Obedkov |title=8 Ball Pool publisher Miniclip surpassed 4 billion downloads across its portfolio of mobile games |date=28 March 2022 |access-date=7 August 2023 |url=https://gameworldobserver.com/2022/03/28/8-ball-pool-publisher-miniclip-surpassed-4-billion-downloads-across-its-portfolio-of-mobile-games |url-status=live |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807104633/https://gameworldobserver.com/2022/03/28/8-ball-pool-publisher-miniclip-surpassed-4-billion-downloads-across-its-portfolio-of-mobile-games }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Game News 24 |title=Three world-wide miniclip games have been downloaded four billion times |last=Ron |first=Nash |url=https://www.game-news24.com/2022/03/28/three-world-wide-miniclip-games-have-been-downloaded-four-billion-times/ |access-date=8 August 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=8 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808010322/https://game-news24.com/2022/03/28/three-world-wide-miniclip-games-have-been-downloaded-four-billion-times/ }}</ref>
==Popular games==


In April 2021, Miniclip had celebrated its 21st anniversary. In response, the CEO of Miniclip claimed that it would be keeping away from developing ] to prioritize its mobile gaming products, including '']'', ''8 Ball Pool'', '']'', ''Ludo Party'' and more.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Pocket Gamer |last=Aagon |first=Orr |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/78565/miniclip-to-focus-on-mobile/#:~:text=The%20current%20Miniclip.com%20website,on%20both%20browser%20and%20mobile. |title=Miniclip commits to mobile games publishing, pivots from web browser games |date=7 April 2022 |access-date=10 August 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810231434/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/78565/miniclip-to-focus-on-mobile/#:~:text=The%20current%20Miniclip.com%20website,on%20both%20browser%20and%20mobile. }}</ref>
''']''' has been on Miniclip since 2006. It is a ] involving a virtual world containing a range of online games and activities, developed by Club Penguin Entertainment (formerly New Horizon Interactive now owned by the Walt Disney Company). Using cartoon penguins as avatars, players waddle around, chat, play minigames and participate in other activities with one another in a snow-covered virtual world.
In April 2022, Miniclip announced that it would begin prioritizing its mobile games. As a result, the browser game portal was shut down in July 2022 and the website lost all but its two most popular games of the time, '']'' and ''8 Ball Pool''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-07 |title=The evolution of Miniclip.com - Player FAQ |url=https://support.miniclip.com/hc/en-us/articles/5091169897617 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=support.miniclip.com |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715093620/https://support.miniclip.com/hc/en-us/articles/5091169897617 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| publisher= Give Me Sport| title= Miniclip is officially closing down its online servers| last= Oscar| first= Rihll| date= 21 October 2022| access-date= 7 August 2023| url= https://www.givemesport.com/88073966-miniclip-is-officially-closing-down-its-online-servers/| url-status= live| archive-date= 7 August 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230807110713/https://www.givemesport.com/88073966-miniclip-is-officially-closing-down-its-online-servers/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Games Industry|access-date=7 August 2023|last=Danielle|first=Partis|title=Miniclip has not shut down its website|date=26 October 2022|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/miniclip-has-not-shut-down-its-website|url-status=live|archive-date=7 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807111937/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/miniclip-has-not-shut-down-its-website}}</ref>


In June 2022, Miniclip agreed to acquire ], the co-publisher and co-developer of '']'', in an undisclosed deal.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |publisher=Venture Beat |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/miniclip-will-acquire-subway-surfers-maker-sybo/ |title=Miniclip will acquire Subway Surfers maker Sybo |date=24 June 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816043717/https://venturebeat.com/games/miniclip-will-acquire-subway-surfers-maker-sybo/ }}</ref><ref name=x21>{{cite web |publisher=Pocket Gamer |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/79057/miniclip-to-acquire-subway-surfers-studio-sybo/ |last=Dave |first=Bradley |title=Miniclip to acquire Subway Surfers studio Sybo |date=25 June 2022 |access-date=8 August 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418054524/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/79057/miniclip-to-acquire-subway-surfers-studio-sybo/ }}</ref> The deal with SYBO went through in July 2022.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Game Developer |last=Chris |first=Kerr |title=Miniclip acquires Subway Surfers developer Sybo |date=27 June 2022 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/miniclip-acquires-subway-surfers-developer-sybo |url-status=live |access-date=8 August 2023 |archive-date=8 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808003641/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/miniclip-acquires-subway-surfers-developer-sybo }}</ref>
''']''' is a Flash based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by ], a French computer game manufacturer. It is primarily a pay-to-play game, though it still offers a limited amount of free content. Its success has led to the marketing of spin-off products, such as books, art and comics. It has also led to the development of two continuations: ], released at the beginning of 2006, which is an alternative "tournament" version of Doofus; and Wakfu, a continuation of Doofus, which is currently in the process of beta testing. The game has attracted over ten million players worldwide and is especially well-known in France.


In November 2024, ] announced that they would divest Easybrain to Miniclip for a consideration of $1.2 billion, with the transaction expected to close in early 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McEvoy |first1=Sophie |title=Embracer divests Easybrain to Miniclip in $1.2bn deal |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/embracer-divests-easybrain-to-miniclip-in-12bn-deal |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=14 November 2024 |language=en |date=14 November 2024}}</ref>
'''Fragger''' is one of Miniclip's biggest most profitable games because of the hugely successful ] version with hundreds of levels.


==Studios==
''']''' was originally launched with the exclusive online beta on Miniclip. It is a Massively Multiplayer Online Game Adventure game developed by ] (SOE) set in a whimsical, family-friendly, fantasy-themed world for the PC. The game was released on April 29, 2009 for the PC.
{| class=wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of studios acquired by Miniclip (as of {{TODAY}})
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Location
! scope="col" | Acquired
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}}
|-
| Masomo
| ], Turkey
| 2019
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-02-08-miniclip-acquires-head-ball-studio-masomo |title=Miniclip acquires Masomo {{!}} |date=15 August 2023 |publisher=gamesindustry.biz |access-date=22 March 2022 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322162835/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-02-08-miniclip-acquires-head-ball-studio-masomo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Pocket Gamer |title=Miniclip acquires Head Ball 2 dev Masomo |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/69981/miniclip-acquires-head-ball-2-dev-masomo/ |last=Craig |first=Chapple |date=8 February 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=8 August 2023 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811000209/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/69981/miniclip-acquires-head-ball-2-dev-masomo/}}</ref>
|-
| Eight Pixels Square
| ], United Kingdom
| 2020
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-03-17-miniclip-acquires-eight-pixel-studio |title=Miniclip acquires Eight Pixels Square {{!}} |date=17 March 2020 |access-date=17 March 2020 |publisher=gamesindustry.biz |archive-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319151309/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-03-17-miniclip-acquires-eight-pixel-studio |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Gamebasics
| ], Netherlands
| 2021
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-19-miniclip-acquires-online-soccer-manager-studio-gamebasics |title=Miniclip acquires Gamebasics {{!}} |date=19 January 2021 |access-date=19 January 2021 |publisher=gamesindustry.biz |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119204910/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-19-miniclip-acquires-online-soccer-manager-studio-gamebasics |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Green Horse Games
| ], Romania
| 2021
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-02-23-miniclip-buys-green-horse-games |title=Miniclip acquires Green Horse Games {{!}} |publisher=gamesindustry.biz |access-date=23 February 2021 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225190144/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-02-23-miniclip-buys-green-horse-games |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| ], United Kingdom
| 2021
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-05-25-miniclip-acquires-supersonic-software |title=Miniclip acquires Supersonic Software {{!}} |date=25 May 2021 |access-date=25 May 2021 |publisher=gamesindustry.biz |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525110414/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-05-25-miniclip-acquires-supersonic-software |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|]
|], Denmark
|2022
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref name=":0" /><ref name=x21 />
|}


==Mobile games==
''']''' was added to Miniclip in the fall of 2010.
Miniclip has developed and published numerous mobile games for ], ], ], and ]. This includes ''8 Ball Pool'', ''Golf Battle'', '']'', '']'', ''On The Run'', '']'' for Android, ''Berry Rush'', '']'', '']'', ''Mini Militia'', and ''Ludo Party''.


== Other platforms ==
''']''' is a ] based ] developed by ] that has been available through Miniclip since 2004.
In September 2012, ] announced on the ] blog on 31 August 2012 (see also ]) that Miniclip games would be able to distribute their games on the ] division of ]. Miniclip games that are supported by ] for ] include '']'', ''iStunt 2'', and ''Monster Island''. '']'' was released on ] on 29 November 2010.


In April 2013, most Miniclip games for ] and ] were distributed for free for one year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=updated |first=George Ponder last |date=2013-04-09 |title=MiniClip adds Windows Phone versions to free gaming offer |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/miniclip-windows-phone-games-free-limited-time |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref>
''']''' was a free to play virtual world that was for a time the number one game on Miniclip.com. It included adventures and places for users to visit. Users could customize their avatar, have their own room and have options to upgrade by paying for digital goods. It was renamed to Migo Land and was only free to play for a trial period of 7 days. After this period the user had to become a member to play.


On 14 February 2017, Miniclip released their first mobile racer game which was compatible with ], ], and ], titled ''MX Nitro''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.miniclip.com/2017/02/14/mx-nitro-now-ps4-xbox-one-pc/|title=MX Nitro - OUT NOW on PS4, Xbox One & PC - The Miniclip Blog|date=14 February 2017|access-date=16 February 2017|archive-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216220532/http://blog.miniclip.com/2017/02/14/mx-nitro-now-ps4-xbox-one-pc/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kevin |first=Dooley |website=teamvvv.com |title=MX Nitro coming to PS4, Xbox One & PC in February |access-date=16 August 2023 |date=18 January 2017 |url-status=live |url=https://www.teamvvv.com/news/mx-nitro-coming-to-ps4-xbox-one-pc-in-february/ |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926120321/https://www.teamvvv.com/news/mx-nitro-coming-to-ps4-xbox-one-pc-in-february/ }}</ref>
''']''' is a massively multiplayer online game developed by ]. The player takes the role of a pirate, adventuring on the high seas and pillaging money from roaming enemy ships (human or computer-controlled). The mechanics of Puzzle Pirates are driven by puzzles. For example, to effectively sail a ship, crewmates must play puzzles representing work at the sails for speed, pumping bilge water to remove it from the ship, and carpentry to fix any damage the ship may take. Puzzle Pirates is open-ended and community-driven. Over time, pirates can join a crew, progress in rank within that crew, buy and run sailing vessels and "shoppes", and perhaps even become captain of their own pirate crew, royalty within a flag (an alliance of crews), or governor of an island. Islands are governed and shoppes are managed exclusively by players. From time to time, players are also called upon to help expand the game, whether it be new puzzles (developed on Game Gardens), island objects to be used on new oceans (servers), or artwork used for a variety of purposes in-game.


==Malicious software issues==
==Game players==
On 1 September 2005, the ] issued an advisory concerning Miniclip:
Miniclip has a social system with registered "game players" who play games with each other and play in custom friend leagues together. Players have their own game player pages with their games, statistics, awards, friends, news feed and applications.
{{blockquote|The Retro64 / Miniclip CR64 Loader ActiveX control contains a buffer overflow vulnerability. This may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute an arbitrary code on a vulnerable system. Although the ] control is no longer in use by either retro64.com or miniclip.com, any system that has used certain pages of these websites in the past (prior to September 2005) may be vulnerable.<ref>{{cite web |
* Player Profile Pages: Game players have their own game profile pages where their games, high scores, friends and other game related information is stored.
url=https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/649289 |
* Awards & Achievements: Awards are earned by achieving objectives in certain levels of award enabled games. Once awards are won they are displayed in a players league and are displayed on a player's profile page.
title=Vulnerability Note VU#649289, Retro64 / Miniclip CR64Loader ActiveX control buffer overflow |
* Friends: Friends can be invited to the service, and can be included in a player's custom friends game league.
publisher=United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team, Department of Homeland Security |
* Game Leagues: Players can set up their own custom game leagues with their chosen friends and play for awards and rankings across many different games.
date=1 September 2006 |
* Challenges: Players can challenge other players in their leagues or challenge other registered players in many different games.
access-date=26 September 2006 |
* Leader boards: The worldwide daily, weekly and monthly leader boards are displayed in games.
archive-date=24 March 2019 |
* Game Ranking Bar system: Players are ranked worldwide with a special color coded, percentile based worldwide ranking bar system developed by Miniclip that is found next to their games on their profile page.
archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324090700/https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/649289/ |
* Games News Feed: Players have a games news feed on their profile pages which gives them information on the winning or losing of challenges, friend invites, announcements etc.
url-status=live }}</ref>}}
* Matchmaking: For certain new live multiplayer games there is a real time matchmaking system to match up players to other players of similar ability or for players to choose the ability of others to play against or for players to play against their friends in real time.
In 2006, several security firms reported that some Miniclip users had installed a "miniclipgameloader.dll" which contained the hostile code identified as "Trojan Downloader 3069.”<ref>{{cite web |
* Game Avatars: Avatars are called YoMe's and can be customized to include many different looks and styles. The avatars have their own rooms that can be personalized with objects and accessories. The avatars enter certain games and carry game player statistics and awards.

==Software and hardware==
===Game developer API's===
Miniclip offers game developers a number of API services that allow them to integrate Miniclip branded features into their games, for example these allow third party developers to create games that can contribute high scores to a user's high score ranking on the Players service.

===iPhone and Android games===
Miniclip distributes iPhone and Android games. These games are marketed from the Miniclip.com website and from within the online version of the games.

===Sketch Star===
Sketch is found on the Sketch Star tab and is a Miniclip product which allows users to create and share art, cartoons and animations and be part of an online community. Artists compete to create the best animations in many topics and attain recognition from their peers with voting, views and being followed. Artists can also send their animations into various contests and win awards, and if any animations are outstanding, the animation is awarded an editor's pick. Sketch Star is used by beginners to advanced animators. Sketch Star allows users to create animation, post it online and also to share on other websites such as social networks, their friends and the newer feature, ]. Artists on Sketch Star, can pay for a membership, either 1, 3 or 6 months.

===Nintendo Wii===
In 2010 Miniclip made Nintendo Wii playable games on their website. It can be accessed through the ] internet portal.

==Security issues==
Several security firms reported in 2005 that some Miniclip users had installed a "miniclipgameloader.dll" which contains the hostile code identified as "Trojan DownLoader 3069".<ref>{{cite web |
url=http://virusinfo.prevx.com/pxparall.asp?PXC=3176336828 | url=http://virusinfo.prevx.com/pxparall.asp?PXC=3176336828 |
archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071215231213/http://virusinfo.prevx.com/pxparall.asp?PXC=3176336828 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215231213/http://virusinfo.prevx.com/pxparall.asp?PXC=3176336828 |
archive-date=15 December 2007 |
archivedate=2007-02-15 |
title=Trojan.DownLoader.3069 / MINICLIPGAMELOADER.DLL | title=Trojan.DownLoader.3069 / MINICLIPGAMELOADER.DLL |
date=July 15, 2005 | date=15 July 2005 |
publisher=Prevx }}</ref> Removal tools are available. Reports in 2006 from the same security vendors show the same file as not containing hostile code.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} In 2006, the security firm Sunbelt Software reported that Miniclip installed "high risk" ] called "Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader".<ref>{{cite web| publisher=Prevx }}</ref> In the same year, another download related to Miniclip installed "High Risk" ] called "Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader.”<ref>{{cite web|
archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071216012528/http://research.sunbelt-software.com/threatdisplay.aspx?name=Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader&threatid=39303| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216012528/http://research.sunbelt-software.com/threatdisplay.aspx?name=Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader&threatid=39303|
archive-date=16 December 2007 |
archivedate=2007-12-16 |
url=http://research.sunbelt-software.com/threatdisplay.aspx?name=Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader&threatid=39303 | url=http://research.sunbelt-software.com/threatdisplay.aspx?name=Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader&threatid=39303 |
publisher=Sunbelt Software | publisher=Sunbelt Software |
title=Threat Details - Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader | title=Threat Details - Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader |
date=14 September 2006 }}</ref>
date=September 14, 2006 }}</ref> On September 1, 2006, the ] issued an advisory concerning Miniclip:
{{quote|The Retro64 / Miniclip CR64 Loader ActiveX control contains a buffer overflow vulnerability. This may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute an arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.... Although the ActiveX control is no longer in use by either retro64.com or miniclip.com, any system that has used certain pages of these web sites in the past (prior to September, 2006) may be vulnerable.<ref>{{cite web |
url=https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/649289 |
title= Vulnerability Note VU#649289, Retro64 / Miniclip CR64Loader ActiveX control buffer overflow |
publisher=United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team, Department of Homeland Security |
date=2006-09-01}}</ref>}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
See old versions of http://www.miniclip.com on http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.miniclip.com
{{refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.miniclip.com/}} * {{Official website|https://www.miniclip.com/}}

{{Tencent}}


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Latest revision as of 03:43, 18 December 2024

Swiss mobile game publisher
This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (September 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Miniclip
Type of businessSubsidiary
Type of siteOnline games
Available in16 languages
List of languagesEnglish, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, Russian, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian, Korean, Chinese, Turkish, Hindi, Japanese
Founded30 March 2001
HeadquartersNeuchâtel, Switzerland
Founder(s)Robert Small
CEOSaad Choudri (CEO)
Key peopleRobert Small (President)
Marius Manolache (COO)
James Russell (CPO)
Sérgio Varanda (CCO)
Claudia Gorman (GC)
Stefan Beurier (CFO)
ParentTencent (since 2015)
URLminiclip.com
AdvertisingNo
RegistrationOptional
Current statusActive

Miniclip is a Swiss mobile game publisher and former browser game website that was first launched on 30 March 2001. It was started by Robert Small and Tihan Presbie with a budget of £40,000. In 2008, Miniclip was valued at over £275 million. In 2018, the company gained over $400 million in revenue through its mobile gaming hit, 8 Ball Pool.

History

As of July 2009, over 400 applications were hosted on its own website.

In February 2015, Tencent acquired majority stakes of Miniclip. In December 2016, Miniclip surpassed 1 billion downloads across its published mobile games on iOS-based, Android-based, and Windows Phone-based devices. In March 2022, Miniclip announced that it had reached 4 billion downloads worldwide with 8 Ball Pool alone accounting for 1 billion of them.

In April 2021, Miniclip had celebrated its 21st anniversary. In response, the CEO of Miniclip claimed that it would be keeping away from developing browser-based games to prioritize its mobile gaming products, including Agar.io, 8 Ball Pool, Mini Militia, Ludo Party and more.

In April 2022, Miniclip announced that it would begin prioritizing its mobile games. As a result, the browser game portal was shut down in July 2022 and the website lost all but its two most popular games of the time, Agar.io and 8 Ball Pool.

In June 2022, Miniclip agreed to acquire SYBO, the co-publisher and co-developer of Subway Surfers, in an undisclosed deal. The deal with SYBO went through in July 2022.

In November 2024, Embracer Group announced that they would divest Easybrain to Miniclip for a consideration of $1.2 billion, with the transaction expected to close in early 2025.

Studios

List of studios acquired by Miniclip (as of 28 December 2024)
Name Location Acquired Ref(s).
Masomo İzmir, Turkey 2019
Eight Pixels Square Derby, United Kingdom 2020
Gamebasics Zoetermeer, Netherlands 2021
Green Horse Games Bucharest, Romania 2021
Supersonic Software Leamington Spa, United Kingdom 2021
SYBO Copenhagen, Denmark 2022

Mobile games

Miniclip has developed and published numerous mobile games for iOS, Android, Symbian, and Windows Phone. This includes 8 Ball Pool, Golf Battle, Gravity Guy, Bloons Tower Defense, On The Run, Plague Inc. for Android, Berry Rush, Agar.io, Diep.io, Mini Militia, and Ludo Party.

Other platforms

In September 2012, Microsoft announced on the Windows blog on 31 August 2012 (see also List of Xbox games on Windows) that Miniclip games would be able to distribute their games on the Xbox division of Windows 8. Miniclip games that are supported by Xbox for Windows 8 include Gravity Guy, iStunt 2, and Monster Island. Gravity Guy was released on Windows Store on 29 November 2010.

In April 2013, most Miniclip games for Windows 8 and Windows Phone were distributed for free for one year.

On 14 February 2017, Miniclip released their first mobile racer game which was compatible with Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4, titled MX Nitro.

Malicious software issues

On 1 September 2005, the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team issued an advisory concerning Miniclip:

The Retro64 / Miniclip CR64 Loader ActiveX control contains a buffer overflow vulnerability. This may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute an arbitrary code on a vulnerable system. Although the ActiveX control is no longer in use by either retro64.com or miniclip.com, any system that has used certain pages of these websites in the past (prior to September 2005) may be vulnerable.

In 2006, several security firms reported that some Miniclip users had installed a "miniclipgameloader.dll" which contained the hostile code identified as "Trojan Downloader 3069.” In the same year, another download related to Miniclip installed "High Risk" malware called "Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader.”

References

  1. ^ "Tencent takes majority stakes in Miniclip". Games Industry. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  2. Weber, Rachel (17 May 2013). "From MiniClip to Mega Brand". Game Industry Biz. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  3. "Game Plan Keeps It Simple". The Financial Times. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009.
  4. "Miniclip has been shut down forever". GAMINGbible. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  5. Iain, Harris (14 September 2018). "Miniclip pockets over $400 million from 8 Ball Pool on mobile". Pocketgamer.biz. Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  6. Oliver, Yeh. "Miniclip Racks Up $400 Million in 8 Ball Pool Revenue". Sensor Tower. Archived from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  7. "About Miniclip - Miniclip Corporate Site | Free Online Games". 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  8. "China's Tencent moves into Europe with investment in mobile and online game publisher Miniclip (exclusive)". VentureBeat. 18 February 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  9. Orr, Aaron (28 March 2022). "Miniclip exceeds 4 billion downloads". pocketgamer.biz. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  10. Evgeny, Obedkov (28 March 2022). "8 Ball Pool publisher Miniclip surpassed 4 billion downloads across its portfolio of mobile games". Gameworldobserver. Game World Observer. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  11. Ron, Nash. "Three world-wide miniclip games have been downloaded four billion times". Game News 24. Archived from the original on 8 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  12. Aagon, Orr (7 April 2022). "Miniclip commits to mobile games publishing, pivots from web browser games". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  13. "The evolution of Miniclip.com - Player FAQ". support.miniclip.com. 7 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  14. Oscar, Rihll (21 October 2022). "Miniclip is officially closing down its online servers". Give Me Sport. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  15. Danielle, Partis (26 October 2022). "Miniclip has not shut down its website". Games Industry. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Miniclip will acquire Subway Surfers maker Sybo". Venture Beat. 24 June 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  17. ^ Dave, Bradley (25 June 2022). "Miniclip to acquire Subway Surfers studio Sybo". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  18. Chris, Kerr (27 June 2022). "Miniclip acquires Subway Surfers developer Sybo". Game Developer. Archived from the original on 8 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  19. McEvoy, Sophie (14 November 2024). "Embracer divests Easybrain to Miniclip in $1.2bn deal". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  20. "Miniclip acquires Masomo |". gamesindustry.biz. 15 August 2023. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  21. Craig, Chapple (8 February 2019). "Miniclip acquires Head Ball 2 dev Masomo". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  22. "Miniclip acquires Eight Pixels Square |". gamesindustry.biz. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  23. "Miniclip acquires Gamebasics |". gamesindustry.biz. 19 January 2021. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  24. "Miniclip acquires Green Horse Games |". gamesindustry.biz. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  25. "Miniclip acquires Supersonic Software |". gamesindustry.biz. 25 May 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  26. updated, George Ponder last (9 April 2013). "MiniClip adds Windows Phone versions to free gaming offer". Windows Central. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  27. "MX Nitro - OUT NOW on PS4, Xbox One & PC - The Miniclip Blog". 14 February 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  28. Kevin, Dooley (18 January 2017). "MX Nitro coming to PS4, Xbox One & PC in February". teamvvv.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  29. "Vulnerability Note VU#649289, Retro64 / Miniclip CR64Loader ActiveX control buffer overflow". United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team, Department of Homeland Security. 1 September 2006. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2006.
  30. "Trojan.DownLoader.3069 / MINICLIPGAMELOADER.DLL". Prevx. 15 July 2005. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007.
  31. "Threat Details - Trojan-Downloader.CR64Loader". Sunbelt Software. 14 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 December 2007.

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