Mediatonic

Mediatonic Ltd

Type	Private
Industry	Video game industry
Founded	September 2005
Founder	David Bailey Paul Croft
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Products	Video games
Number of employees	50 - 100
Website	www.mediatonicgames.com

Mediatonic Games is a British independent games developer founded in September 2005 as Mediatonic Limited. The company operates studios in London and Brighton, United Kingdom. The company was founded by two undergraduate students, David Bailey and Paul Croft during their final year of study at Brunel University. A group of industry veterans including Ian Livingstone, Kelly Sumner and Geoff Heath, invested in the company in 2010 and the company subsequently raised an undisclosed amount of Venture Capital funding from Frog Capital in January 2012. Its business model revolves around Games as a Service and digital distribution.

History

Mediatonic began as a digital communications agency whilst the Founders were at University; producing online marketing materials and websites for clients such as AstraZeneca. The company's first game was a viral flash game called Snowman Salvage released in the winter of 2005. The game provided a case study for Mediatonic to expand into Flash conversions for the Casual game Industry. Early games customers were businesses like PopCap, Big Fish Games and PlayFirst. In the early years, the company built casual titles in Flash such as Bejeweled and Diner Dash. Mediatonic expanded into creating original franchises with its partners around 2007. One of the first significant successes was Amateur Surgeon which, according to the Adult Swim website was played over 56 million times; making it their most played title of all time. The company expanded into smartphone development in 2008/2009 with the launch of its own title, Must.Eat.Birds. In 2009 the company began investing in original IPs more aggressively. According to its own website, the company span out its digital marketing efforts into a new business (now called Graphite Digital Ltd) so that it could focus on building games.

In 2010 the company raised funding from a group of Industry Veterans and began to focus on building original games (rather than converting other people's titles to different platforms).

Since 2011 the company has been working on larger titles including Foul Play for Xbox and PC, Amateur Hospital for Facebook (which received the company's first BAFTA Nomination and Amateur Surgeon 2 and 3, a free-to-play mobile game for iOS.

Around 2012 the company announced plans to expand with a second studio located in Brighton.

Partnerships & IP

Partnerships Model

Mediatonic publicly advocates a co-invested publishing model for game development. The Developer argues that the conventional "work for hire" model of the industry 'makes it impossible for a developer to react to a changing market, and incentivises short-term thinking'. Instead, Mediatonic says that it co-invests in game development with large Publishers and shares the royalties and running costs of the games it produces. The company's website lists many of the games industry's largest games Publishers as historical partners.

Square Enix Collaboration

Mediatonic revealed at the end of 2014 that it had been previously working with Square Enix Japan to develop an original mobile strategy game franchise called Heavenstrike Rivals.

The game was designed by Mediatonic in London to appeal to a global audience whilst also building on the style of popular franchises such as Final Fantasy. The game also includes character designs by Ryoma Ito and music composed by Ryo Yamazaki who are known for their work on the Final Fantasy series.

Adult Swim Collaboration

Mediatonic is best known for creating the Amateur Surgeon series which was originally published online by Adult Swim in 2008. The franchise was later brought to the iPhone and subsequently as Amateur Surgeon 2, Amateur Surgeon Christmas Edition and Amateur Surgeon 3.

Amateur Surgeon Hospital, a simulation game on the Facebook networking site, was nominated for Best Online-Browser game at the British Academy Video Games Awards in 2013. Other notable collaborations between Adult Swim and Mediatonic include Robot Unicorn Attack:Evolution and Gigolo Assassin.

Expansion into Self-Published IP

Mediatonic releases its own internal games which are best known for their stories and sense of humour. The most notable of these is "Monsters (Probably) Stole my Princess" which was first released on List of PlayStation minis and achieved critical acclaim. Other titles include Must.Eat.Birds (2008) which was the company's first mobile title. Mediatonic also published Who's That Flying!? (2010) and 1000 Tiny Claws (2011) amongst others.

Hatoful Boyfriend

In June 2014 Mediatonic stole headlines at the industry's annual event, E3 announcing it would work with Devolver to remake the cult Japanese Pigeon Dating Game Hatoful Boyfriend originally created by Hato Moa.

Foul Play

The company announced that it is working on its first title for Xbox Live Arcade and Steam (software) in August 2012. The title, known as Foul Play was released in September 2013.

Game Jams

Mediatonic holds regular Game Jam events in which small teams of developers compete to create the best possible game within a few hours. One outcome from these events was an application called "Inappropriate Llama Disaster" which was published for free on the iPhone and iPad.

Televised Competition

Mediatonic took part in a challenge set by The Gadget Show Television series in October 2009. The company worked with TV presenter Suzi Perry to develop an application that would compete against her co-presenter, Jason Bradbury, who sourced an app largely by himself. Both presenters submitted their applications at the same time to the App Store (iOS) and competed for the highest number of downloads.

Mediatonic created a game called "Biker Blast-off" for the competition which generated a shock result for the show; yielding 1.2million downloads during the competition period in contrast to the 4,074 downloads of Bradbury's "Social Beacon" application.

Development history

Year	Title	Partner	Platform	Description
2014	Heavenstrike Rivals	Square Enix	Android, iPhone, Microsoft Windows	A Tactical role-playing game which includes characters designed by Ryoma Ito. Official Website
2014	Hatoful Boyfriend	Devolver Digital	Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita	High definition remake of a Japanese visual novel created by Moa Hato.
2014	Secrets and Treasure	Microsoft Studios	Windows 8	A Free-to-play casual puzzle game
2014	Delivery Outlaw	Adult Swim	iOS	A Free-to-play game on iPhone and iPad.
2013	Amateur Surgeon 3: Tag Team Trauma	Adult Swim	iOS, Android	A Free-to-play game on iPhone and iPad. This edition allows players to form "Tag Teams" with characters that have special powers. The game ranked no. 2 in iPhone US Appstore free download charts in its first week and no. 1 for iPad.
2013	Foul Play	Devolver Digital	Xbox Live Arcade, Steam	A cartoon-style side-scrolling beat-em-up set in a Victorian theatre. Schedule for release in Q3 2013.
2013	Qwirkle	Square Enix	iOS, Android, Facebook	Square Enix announced a version of the Board game to operate across multiple platforms and demonstrated the game at Electronic Entertainment Expo but only publicly released the game on Facebook before Square Enix restructured its US operations
2013	Moshi Monsters: Lost Islands	GREE	iOS	Announced an original Japanese card game in 2012. Work was suspended following GREE's global restructure.
2012	Superbia	Disney	Web	Virtual world where children can interact with popular Disney Television brands.
2012	Amateur Surgeon Hospital	Adult Swim	Facebook	A hospital simulation game in which players also perform surgeries. Part of the Amateur Surgeon franchise.
2012	Robot Unicorn Attack: Evolution	Adult Swim	Facebook	A sequel to the popular infinite running game, Robot Unicorn Attack
2011	Thundercats: Tree of the Ancients	Warner Bros.	Web	Upward scrolling platformer
2010	Back to the Future: Blitz Through Time	Telltale Games	Facebook, Online	A match 3 puzzle game
2011	Amateur Ninja	Adult Swim	Web	Players learn to be a ninja
2011	1000 Tiny Claws	Mediatonic	PSP, PS3	Isometric combat game
2010	Ocean Snapper	Mediatonic	Myspace, Facebook	An animal breeding game in which players photograph fish
2010	Pirate King	Mediatonic	Facebook	A pirate themed adventure game
2010	MicroGP	Mediatonic	Facebook	A top down racing game
2010	Monsters (Probably) Stole My Princess	Mediatonic	PSP, PS3, Xbox Indie	An upward scrolling platform game
2010	Who’s That Flying!?	Mediatonic	PSP, PS3, Steam, iOS	Shootem' Up with tower defence elements
2010	Boom Bandits	Spil Games	Web	A game similar to Angry Birds
2010	Moshling Boshling	Mind Candy	Web	A Moshi Monsters game similar to Angry Birds
2010	Vancouver 2010, Snowboarding	SEGA	Web	Snowboarding simulation for official Vancouver Olympics
2010	Vancouver 2010, Speed Skating	SEGA	Web	Speed skating simulation for official Vancouver Olympics
2010	Vancouver 2010, Ski Jump	SEGA	Web	Ski Jumping simulation for official Vancouver Olympics
2010	Vancouver 2010, Slalom	SEGA	Web	Slalom simulation for official Vancouver Olympics
2010	Amateur Surgeon 2	Adult Swim	Web, iOS, Android	A sequel to the Amateur Surgeon franchise. Ranked in 10 paid apps on the AppStore
2009	Must.Eat.Birds	Mediatonic	iOS, Android	A game in which Players must defend their picnic from a bird invasion.
2009	Extreme Lawn Bowls	Mediatonic	Web	A humorous game based on the English pursuit of Bowls
2009	Meowcenaries	Adult Swim	Web, iOS	A spin on the famous Cannon Fodder (video game) game featuring the Lolcat internet meme
2009	Biker Blast-Off!	The Gadget Show / Mediatonic	iOS	A trial bike racing game featuring Suzi Perry in The Gadget Show competition
2009	Kid Vs. Kat: Katapult Katastrophe	Disney	Web	Two online games featuring the TV show Kid vs. Kat
2009	Suite Life on Deck: Smoothie Service	Disney	Web	A game featuring the TV show The Suite Life on Deck
2009	Toy Story: Woody’s Great Escape	PIXAR	Web	An escape the room game featuring the Toy Story film
2009	Steamweavers	Mediatonic	Myspace	Tower defence game
2009	Sonic Level Creator (You tube game play video)	SEGA	Web	An online version of the classic Sonic game in which player could build their own levels
2009	SpongeBob SquarePants: Hooked on You	Nickelodeon	Web	Port: A platform game
2009	Fast & Furious (Youtube Demo)	Sierra Entertainment	Facebook, Myspace	A game in which players customise their cars and race on social networks
2009	Amateur Surgeon Christmas	Adult Swim	Web, iOS	A special edition of the franchise
2009	Travelogue 360 Paris	Big Fish Games	Web	A hidden object game
2009	Travelogue 360 London	Big Fish Games	Web	A hidden object game
2009	Hidden Expedition Everest	Big Fish Games	Web	A hidden object game
2009	Hidden Expedition Everest MSN Search Special	Big Fish Games	Web	A hidden object game involving MSN Search
2009	Hidden Expedition Titanic, MSN Search Special	Big Fish Games	Web	A hidden object game involving MSN Search
2009	Hidden Expedition Titanic	Big Fish Games	Web	A hidden object game
2009	Dr Kawashimas Brain Exercise, Predominant Number	Namco Bandai Games	Web	An arithmetical challenge game
2009	Dr Kawashimas Brain Exercise, Follow the Pencil	Namco Bandai Games	Web	Port: A motor-skills game
2009	Dr Kawashimas Brain Exercise, Reverse Dice	Namco Bandai Games	Web	An arithmetical challenge game
2009	Dr Kawashimas Brain Exercise, Line Up	Namco Bandai Games	Web	A spatial awareness game
2009	Dr Kawashimas Brain Training 2	Namco Bandai Games	Feature Phones	A series of 'brain training' games
2009	Diego’s Underwater Adventures	Nickelodeon	Web	A point and click adventure based on the popular children's cartoon
2009	Commanders	Sierra Entertainment	Web	Tower defence game
2008	SEGA Pool	SEGA	Web	Pool simulation game
2008	Columns	SEGA	Web	A casual matching game
2008	Three Reel Slots	SEGA	Web	A casual game
2008	Hollywood Adventure Quiz	SEGA	Web	An online quiz game
2008	Back to the 80’s Quiz	SEGA	Web	An online quiz game
2008	The Quiz of Culinary Delights	SEGA	Web	An online quiz game
2008	Music, Melodies and Rockstars	SEGA	Web	An online quiz game
2008	Sonic at the Olympics	SEGA	Web	A guessing game for two players
2008	Azada	Big Fish Games	Web	A puzzle game
2008	Travelogue 360 Rome	Big Fish Games	Web	A hidden object game
2008	Crestor Challenge	Astrazeneca	Web	An educational game for the healthcare industry
2008	Trivial Pursuit Quiz	Electronic Arts / Hasbro	Web	A web version of the board game
2008	Amateur Surgeon	Adult Swim	Web, iOS	Pizza boy 'Alan Probe' turns his hand to Surgery with a Pizza Cutter
2008	Bureaucracy Buster	AstraZeneca	Web	Port: An educational game
2008	Hidden Expedition Titanic	Big Fish Games	Web	Hidden object game
2008	Beijing 2008, Weightlifting	SEGA	Web	Weightlifting simulation for official Beijing Olympics
2008	Beijing 2008, Archery	SEGA	Web	Archery simulation for official Beijing Olympics
2008	Beijing 2008, High Dive	SEGA	Web	High Dive simulation for official Beijing Olympics
2008	Greek Island Solitaire	SEGA	Web	Classic [[Patience (game)] Solitaire] style game
2008	Ice Shuffle	SEGA	Web	A sport game
2008	Aquatic Word Burst	SEGA	Web	Casual word game
2008	Gigolo Assassin	Adult Swim	Web	A point and click adventure game featuring a Gigolo Assassin
2008	Manor Mystery	Boonty	Web	Hidden object game
2008	Talismania	Popcap / EA	Web	Port: A casual puzzle game
2008	Inca Quest	iWin	Web	A match 3 casual game
2008	Bejeweled 2	Popcap	Web	Port: A match 3 casual game
2008	Diner Dash	PlayFirst	Web	Port: A restaurant simulation game
2008	Bejeweled 2	Popcap / EA	Web	Port: a popular match 3 casual game
2008	Bookworm	Popcap / EA	Web	Port: A casual word game
2008	Poppit! Stressbuster	Pogo.com / EA	Web	A viral game involving matching balloons
2008	Poppit! Mini Stressbuster	Pogo.com / EA	Web	Port: A viral game involving matching balloons
2008	Word Whomp Mini	Pogo.com / EA	Web	Port: A word game
2008	Penguin Panic	Mediatonic	Web	A puzzle based platform game involving building ice structures
2008	Portal Peril	Nickelodeon	Web	Infinite running game
2008	Greedy Gang	Mediatonic	Web	A climate change educational game
2008	Sudoku	SEGA	Web	Classic maths game
2008	Text Twist	SEGA	Web	Word game
2008	Turbo Solitaire	SEGA	Web	A twist on the classic solitaire game
2007	Little Shop of Treasures	Gamehouse	Web	Port: Hidden object game
2007	Super Collapse!	Gamehouse	Web	Port: a casual matching game
2007	Bubble Bubble	SEGA	Web	Casual match 3 game
2007	Meat Match	Boonty	Web	A match 3 puzzle game involving meat.
2007	Battleships!	SEGA	Web	A guessing game for two players
2007	Diamond Detective	Gamehouse	Web	Port: A casual match 3 game
2007	SiteAdvisor Challenge	McAfee	Web	Port: An advergame for the security software in which players navigate the web.
2007	Horizon	AstraZeneca	Web	Port: An educational game for the healthcare industry
2007	Homerun Hero	Shockwave	Web	Port: Sports game
2007	Mole Hunt	Pogo.com / EA	Web	Port: A guessing game for two players
2007	Tequila Trouble	William Grant & Sons	Web	Advergame involving running a cocktail bar
2007	Addiction Solitaire	Shockwave (game portal)	Web	Port: A guessing game for two players
2007	Letter Linker	SEGA	Web	Port: A guessing game for two players
2007	Brain Assist!	SEGA	Web	A 'brain training' puzzle game
2007	Mah Jong Amazon Adventure	SEGA	Web	A classic mahjong style game
2007	PlaySEGA Blackjack	SEGA	Web	A guessing game for two players
2007	Mystery Case Files: Millionheir	Nintendo	Web	A hidden object game
2007	Operation Challenge	Electronic Arts / Pogo.com	Web	A web version of the board game
2007	Lego Pirates: Quest for Brickbeards Bounty	LEGO	Web	An children's hidden object game
2006	Air Control	Lufthansa	Web	Viral game in which the player flies a paper plane across an office.
2005	Beetle Bomp	iWin	Web	Port: A colour matching casual game
2005	Snowman Salvage	Mediatonic	Web	A viral game involving building snowmen against the clock

External links

• Mediatonic website
• Mediatonic YouTube channel

• Jay Is Games - Alan Probe: Amateur Surgeon