Miniclip accidentally took over the internet with $73,000 and a dancing George Bush.
How Did Miniclip Start?
Miniclip, a globally renowned online gaming platform, was founded in 2001 by Rob Small and Tihan Presbie. The story of Miniclip begins with two ambitious entrepreneurs who shared a passion for gaming. Small and Presbie, both hailing from the UK, recognized the potential of the internet as a medium for gaming and sought to capitalize on it.
The duo's initial idea was to create a website that would host user-generated video content, similar to YouTube. The first, was a video of Presbie dancing before Small superimposed George Bush's head onto it. He added small controls as a joke but the resulting game, Dancing Bush, became a viral hit. They pivoted to create a collection of casual, fun, and engaging games that could be played directly in web browsers and Miniclip, as you might remember it, was born. At the time, online gaming was in its infancy, with limited options available for players. Free games and making money through advertising were unheard of at the time but Miniclip became profitable after just one year. They never paid for ads but instead had other companies distribute their games through Miniclip which drove players from the likes Runescape, Club Penguin, and Raft Wars to the site. The website's simple design and user-friendly interface quickly attracted gamers of all ages, and it wasn't long before Miniclip became a household name in the gaming community.
Early Challenges and Growth of Miniclip
In the early years, Miniclip faced its fair share of challenges. The dot-com bubble had just burst, and the internet industry was in turmoil. The founders, however, persevered and focused on building a diverse portfolio of games. They engaged with game developers worldwide, and through partnerships and collaborations, Miniclip's game library grew exponentially. This move propelled them to around $40 million in revenue by 2007 and 43 million monthly users by 2008. They had 80 new games being built at any given time and 900 total by 2013 with 85% made by outside developers.
The company's dedication to providing a vast array of games for free, supported by unobtrusive advertisements, contributed to its rapid growth. As the internet became more accessible globally, Miniclip capitalized on the expanding online gaming market. It ventured into mobile gaming, creating popular titles like "8 Ball Pool" and "Agar.io," which were downloaded millions of times.
Miniclip's Global Success
Miniclip's relentless pursuit of excellence, user-friendly platform, and emphasis on player engagement propelled the company to global success. Its games appealed to both casual gamers and more dedicated enthusiasts. The platform's social features allowed players to compete with friends and challenge one another, fostering a vibrant gaming community.
The company expanded its presence across continents, opening offices in Switzerland, Portugal, and the United States.
In 2015, Tencent, a Chinese technology giant, recognized the potential of Miniclip and acquired a controlling stake in the company, marking its shift towards mobile apps. This investment provided Miniclip with the resources to continue growing its gaming portfolio and expand into emerging markets. They acquired SYBO, the developer behind Subway Surfers, in 2022 and continue to reach over 400 million users a month.
A Legacy of Fun
Today, only a handful of web-based games remain available on Miniclip.com. However, their massive catalog of mobile games are still enjoyed by millions of players around the world. The company's commitment to providing free, accessible, and enjoyable gaming experiences has been unwavering.
Rob Small and Tihan Presbie's vision, coupled with their relentless dedication, transformed a simple idea into a global gaming phenomenon. Miniclip's legacy is a testament to the potential of entrepreneurship and innovation, demonstrating how a simple passion can lead to a thriving, internationally recognized company.