Big Fish Games, Inc.
- Founded
- 2002-01-01 in Seattle, Washington, USA
- Headquarters
- Seattle, Washington, USA
Big Fish Games, Inc. is a Seattle-based casual game developer and distributor that has operated for over two decades, building a global audience around downloadable PC/Mac games and mobile free-to-play titles. Founded in 2002 by Paul Thelen, the company grew rapidly by offering a new game every day through its online portal, amassing a catalog of thousands of titles spanning hidden object, time management, puzzle, and adventure genres. Big Fish also entered the mobile and social casino space, releasing titles such as Big Fish Casino and EverMerge. The company underwent several ownership changes: acquired by Churchill Downs Inc. in 2014 for up to $885 million, then sold to Australian gaming machine manufacturer Aristocrat Leisure in 2018 for $990 million. In October 2025, Aristocrat divested Big Fish Games to a newly formed entity, BFG Entertainment. Under BFG Entertainment, the company transferred rights to its mobile games EverMerge and Gummy Drop! to outside publishers, terminated contracts with third-party developers, and announced plans to open a new internal studio focused on hidden object games. Big Fish has also been subject to a high-profile class-action lawsuit over its social casino app, which resulted in a $155 million settlement after a federal appeals court ruled the app constituted illegal online gambling. As of 2020, the company employed approximately 350 people, with a regional office in Oakland, California.
Detailed Review
History
Big Fish Games was founded in 2002 by Paul Thelen in Seattle, Washington. The company quickly became a leading distributor of casual downloadable games, raising $83.3 million in venture capital in 2008 and surpassing one billion game downloads from its portal by 2010. It expanded internationally with offices in Cork, Ireland, and later in Vancouver, but closed those offices in 2013. The company was acquired by Churchill Downs Inc. in 2014 for up to $885 million, then sold to Aristocrat Leisure in 2018 for $990 million. Under Aristocrat, the workforce was reduced twice: 15% in 2018 and nearly 50% in 2020. In October 2025, Aristocrat divested Big Fish Games to a newly formed entity, BFG Entertainment.
Business Model
Big Fish operates a dual business model: a PC/Mac download portal offering purchase-to-own and subscription-based Game Club access, and a portfolio of free-to-play mobile titles. The company relies on analytics-driven marketing and a large affiliate developer network, with over 500 partners. Its customer base skews toward older female gamers, with over 45% of female players aged 45–64.
Products and Platforms
Big Fish's core portal offers thousands of casual games, many with 60-minute free trials. Key mobile titles include EverMerge, Gummy Drop!, Cooking Craze, and the controversial Big Fish Casino. The company also developed well-known series such as Mystery Case Files, Hidden Expedition, and Drawn. Under BFG Entertainment, rights to EverMerge and Gummy Drop! were transferred to JetSynthesys and 7 Hits Games respectively, and support for Midnight Castle was ended. Big Fish plans to open a new internal studio for hidden object games.
Legal Issues
Big Fish Casino was ruled illegal gambling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, leading to a $155 million class-action settlement in 2020. In May 2026, GrandMA Studios sued BFG Entertainment for illegal termination of royalties and licensing rights.
Recent Developments
Under BFG Entertainment, the company has refocused on its core PC download audience and terminated contracts with third-party developers, including GrandMA Studios. Despite these changes, Big Fish continues to invest in hidden object games and plans to open a new internal studio.
Key Products
Big Fish Games Portal
Online storefront offering thousands of PC/Mac casual games for download, many with 60-minute free trials.
Game Club
Subscription service providing discounts (30–90%) on game purchases and other benefits.
EverMerge
Free-to-play mobile merge game. Rights transferred to JetSynthesys in 2025.
Gummy Drop!
Free-to-play mobile puzzle game. Rights transferred to 7 Hits Games in 2025.
Cooking Craze
Free-to-play mobile cooking time-management game.
Big Fish Casino
Social casino app that was shut down after a class-action lawsuit; ruled illegal gambling.
Mystery Case Files series
Hidden object adventure games franchise.
Hidden Expedition series
Hidden object adventure games franchise.
Drawn series (Dark Flight, The Painted Tower, Trail of Shadows)
Puzzle-adventure game series.
Fairway Solitaire HD
Solitaire card game with a golf theme.
Faunasphere
Defunct browser-based online virtual world, shut down in 2010.
Offices & Headcount
350 employees (approx.)