Editing Gamefam

{{Short description|American video game company}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| logo = Gamefam Logo.png
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|2019}}<ref name="tc"/>
| founder = {{Unbulleted list|Joe Ferencz}}
| hq_location_city = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]
| hq_location_country = [[United States]]
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Joe Ferencz ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])}}
| products = Video games
| brands = RoMonitor
| num_locations = 
| num_employees = 250+ (January 2023)<ref name="fb"/>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2023}}
| num_employees_year = 
| parent = 
| website = {{URL|https://gamefam.com/|Gamefam.com}}
| subsid = Silicon Digital
}}'''Gamefam Studios''' is an American [[video game]] company. It primarily utilizes ''[[Roblox]]'' as a video game development platform,<ref name="tc"/> while also using ''[[Fortnite Creative]]'' and ''[[Minecraft]]'' as [[Game engine|engines]] to create maps and [[Minigame|minigames]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Jeffrey Rousseau Staff |date=2023-08-01 |title=Gamefam and the business of advertising on game platforms |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gamefam-and-the-business-of-advertising-on-game-platforms |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> It has produced content for brands such as ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' (''[[Sonic Speed Simulator]]''), the [[National Football League]], [[Hot Wheels]], [[Doctor Strange]], ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]'', [[Samsung]], and [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] and staged [[virtual concert]]s for musicians such as [[The Chainsmokers]] and [[Saweetie]].<ref name="Polygon"/><ref name="GamefamRapidGrowth">{{cite web |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |title=Gamefam sees rapid growth in making games for Roblox |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/gamefam-sees-rapid-growth-in-making-games-for-roblox/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |date=5 December 2022 |access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> Gamefam has been accused of mistreatment of its employees.

==History==
Gamefam was founded in 2019 in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], [[United States]] by Joe Ferencz, the current [[Chief executive officer|CEO]]. Ferencz was originally involved with bringing [[Hot Wheels]] into the [[Forza (series)|''Forza'' series]] and ''[[Rocket League]]'', and while doing so, he was observing ''[[Roblox]]'''s success as a [[free-to-play]] video game platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/04/05/roblox-is-so-lucrative-that-it-has-attracted-professional-studios-like-gamefam/|title=Roblox is so lucrative that it has attracted professional studios like Gamefam|website=[[VentureBeat]]|first=Jeff|last=Grubb|date=April 5, 2021|accessdate=September 23, 2021}}</ref> Explaining his reason for founding Gamefam, Ferencz told ''[[TechCrunch]]'', "''Roblox'' truly is the [[Metaverse]] for this younger generation. What that means is that each game needs to have a very distinctive and attractive immersion to it, in a way that mobile free-to-play doesn’t."<ref name="tc">{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/11/gamefam/|title=Gamefam aims to be the first big gaming company built on Roblox|website=[[TechCrunch]]|first=Anthony|last=Ha|date=March 11, 2021|accessdate=September 23, 2021}}</ref> The company is described by Ferencz as the "first and only fully-dedicated, professional game publishing company on Roblox"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gameworldobserver.com/2021/04/07/gamefam-is-publisher-that-helps-roblox-developers-generate-six-figure-revenues|title=Gamefam is publisher that helps Roblox developers generate six-figure revenues|website=Game World Observer|first=Evgeny|last=Obedkov|date=April 7, 2021|accessdate=September 23, 2021}}</ref> and has recruited veteran ''Roblox'' developers.<ref name="GamefamRapidGrowth"/>

In November 2020, Gamefam, with the partnership of [[Mattel]], released ''Hot Wheels Open World'' on ''Roblox'', which is a [[Hot Wheels]]-themed [[open world]] [[racing game]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/toys-games/mattel-gamefam-team-roblox-hot-wheels-game|title=Mattel, Gamefam Team for Roblox Hot Wheels Game|website=License Global|date=November 19, 2020|accessdate=September 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autoblog.com/2020/11/20/gaming-roundup-hot-wheels-roblox/|title=Gaming Roundup &#124; Hot Wheels built a game inside of a different game|website=[[Autoblog (website)|Autoblog]]|first=Erik|last=Maier|date=November 20, 2020|accessdate=September 23, 2021}}</ref>

In October 2021, Gamefam partnered with [[WowWee]] to create toys for their popular ''Roblox'' game ''Twilight Daycare''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wowwee-gamefam-announce-partnership-geared-120200208.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLm5sLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACxpgHbF7aG20xgtgbbZKQPkPr_GUsY9eU503ny-IyYlYiASaEqTu7ymZJ4OTTWZY7MFbkcOpbc08H5aXTBhsfv7fiwQeaegjoe8PXGvI1r8PLUiTDIGNahkdADkuQ6oj9mhwAuhM0HHn3MNeNmU-rJ8m1ixit1AKs0EnnF50Q0Q|title=WowWee and Gamefam Announce Partnership Geared at Bringing the Metaverse to the Doll Aisle|website=Yahoo Finance|date=October 14, 2021|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>

In November 2021, Gamefam announced in an interview with ''[[Forbes]]'' that they partnered with [[WildBrain]] to start integrating various brands into their portfolio of ''Roblox'' titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dbloom/2021/11/08/kid-vid-power-wildbrain-spark-to-handle-ad-sales-for-gamefam-titles-on-roblox/?sh=7932bcf36d38|title=Kid-Vid Power WildBrain Spark To Handle Ad Sales For Gamefam Titles On Roblox|website=Forbes|date=November 8, 2021|accessdate=November 12, 2021}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2023}}

In March 2022, Gamefam announced they have raised $25 million in its Series A funding round, which was led by Konvoy Ventures and participated in by Play Ventures, Makers Fund, [[Bessemer Venture Partners]] and Galaxy Interactive.<ref name="fb">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/krisholt/2022/03/23/gamefam-publisher-of-hit-roblox-games-like-twilight-daycare-raises-25-million/?sh=232493c01df4|title=Gamefam, Publisher Of Hit Roblox Games Like Twilight Daycare, Raises $25 Million In Its Series A Round|website=[[Forbes]]|first=Kris|last=Holt|date=March 23, 2022|accessdate=March 23, 2022}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2023}}

In April 2022, Gamefam, with the partnership of [[Sega of America]], released ''[[Sonic Speed Simulator]]'' on ''Roblox'', which is a ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Christina|title=Sonic the Hedgehog's next video game is in Roblox|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-the-hedgehog-roblox-game/|publisher=[[Digital Trends]]|date=April 13, 2022|access-date=May 31, 2023|archive-date=May 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522224735/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sonic-the-hedgehog-roblox-game/}}</ref> Its launch was the largest on ''Roblox'', with 70 million plays<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCracken |first1=Harry |title=Roblox grows up |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90878692/roblox-grows-up |website=[[Fast Company]] |publisher=Fast Company, Inc |date=19 April 2023 |access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> and 275,000 concurrent players in the first week of its release, and it would reach 500 million visits in its first four months. Joe Ferencz called it "the No. 1 branded game of all time on Roblox".<ref name="GamefamRapidGrowth"/>

===Accusations of employee mistreatment===
In December 2022, former employees accused Gamefam of [[Crunch (video games)|crunching]] their employees while underpaying them, as well as [[Layoff|laying some off]] before the holidays without much warning, which was against the contract. Because the employees reported working on ''[[Sonic Speed Simulator]]'' while being mistreated, the [[hashtag]] #Sonic[[Sweatshop]]Simulator trended on [[Twitter]] as a protest by fans. Gamefam released a statement denying the accusations and began banning users who brought up them up in the ''Sonic Speed Simulator'' [[Discord]] server.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bevan |first1=Rhiannon |title=Sonic Speed Simulator Devs Accused Of Crunching And Underpaying Staff |url=https://www.thegamer.com/sonic-speed-simulator-roblox-crunch-underpay/ |website=TheGamer |publisher=Valnet Inc. |date=December 12, 2022 |access-date=December 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Coulson |first1=Josh |title=More Developers Speak Out Against Roblox Sonic Speed Simulator Developer Gamefam |url=https://www.thegamer.com/developers-speak-out-roblox-sonic-speed-simulator-developer-gamefam/ |website=TheGamer |publisher=Valnet Inc. |date=December 13, 2022 |access-date=December 13, 2022}}</ref> In April 2023, Gamefam settled with an employee after he had filed a complaint to the [[National Labor Relations Board]] alleging that the company had violated the [[National Labor Relations Act]] by threatening retaliation against employees that spoke with coworkers about their salaries. The employee was paid $5,000 [[USD]] in bonuses and Gamefam was legally obligated to remind its employees of their rights.<ref name="Polygon">{{Cite web |last1=Carpenter |first1=Nicole |title=Sonic the Hedgehog Roblox game studio can't stop its workers from discussing pay |url=https://www.polygon.com/23678734/roblox-gamefam-lawsuit-nlrb-complaint-settled-sonic-speed-simulator |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=2023-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rousseau|first=Jeffrey|title=Gamefam settles NLRB complaint alleging retaliation over pay discussions amongst staffers|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gamefam-settles-nlrb-complaint-with-game-developer|publisher=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]|date=April 11, 2023}}</ref>

==Games==
{{Cleanup|section|reason=Some terminology may need to be changed, as most tycoons and simulators on ''[[Roblox]]'' are [[incremental game]]s instead of true [[simulation game]]s and "obbies" tend to be mere [[platform game]]s.|date=May 2023}}
Gamefam's current ''[[Roblox]]'' games include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamefam.com/games|title=Our Games — Gamefam|website=Gamefam|accessdate=May 25, 2023}}</ref>
* ''Build-A-Bear Tycoon'', an [[idle game|idle]] [[advergame]] for [[Build-A-Bear Workshop]].
* ''Build to Survive Simulator'', a round-based [[survival]] [[sandbox game]].
* ''Car Dealership Tycoon'', a [[car dealership]]-based tycoon game. (Partnership not ownership)
* ''[[Cirque du Soleil]] Tycoon''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Takahashi |first1=Dean |title=Gamefam will build immersive world for Cirque du Soleil inside Roblox |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/gamefam-will-build-immersive-world-for-cirque-du-soleil-inside-roblox/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |date=24 May 2023 |access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
* ''Deathrun'', a round-based [[obstacle course]] game.
* ''Deliveryman Simulator'', a [[Delivery (commerce)|delivery]]-based [[simulator]].
* ''Easy Obby'', a [[platform game]] based on [[obstacle course]]s.
* ''Eating Simulator'', an eating-based simulator.
* ''Festival Tycoon''
* ''Gym Tycoon'', a [[gym]] based [[tycoon]] game.
* ''Harmony Hills'' (formerly ''Rhythm City'')
* ''He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: You Have The Power!'', a licensed game based on the 2021 TV series, ''[[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2021 TV series)|He-Man and the Masters of the Universe]]''.
* ''Hot Wheels Open World'', a licensed ''[[Hot Wheels]]'' [[open world]] [[racing game]].
* ''Junkbots Story'', a licensed ''[[Hexbug]]'' story game based on one of their franchises, JunkBots.
* ''Little World'', an insect [[adventure game]].
* ''Maple Hospital'', a [[hospital]]-based [[roleplay game]].
* ''Military Tycoon'', a military [[shooter game]] which lets players build their own [[military base]].
* ''Ore Mining Tycoon!''
* ''Polybattle'', a [[first-person shooter]].
* ''Red Light, Green Light'', a game unofficially based on ''[[Squid Game]].''
* ''RoBeats'', a [[rhythm game]].
* ''Shadovis RPG''
* ''Shoot Out'', a [[Old West|western]]-themed [[third-person shooter]].
* ''Slashing Simulator'', a weapon-based simulator in which involves the use of [[Katana|katanas]].
* ''[[Sonic Speed Simulator]]'', a licensed ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' [[incremental game|incremental]] [[platform game]].
* ''Speed Run Simulator'', a speed-based simulator game.
* ''SpongeBob Simulator'', a licensed ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nickalive.net/2023/02/paramount-gamefam-partner-for-spongebob.html|title=NickALive!: Paramount, Gamefam Partner For 'SpongeBob,' 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Fan Experiences In Roblox|website=NickALive!|accessdate=July 26, 2023}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=September 2023|reason=Fansite hosted on Blogger}}
* ''Starving Artists'', a donation-based game where players can create their own [[pixel art]] and sell it to other players.
* ''Super [[NFL]] Tycoon''
* ''TMNT: Battle Tycoon'', a licensed ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' game.
* ''Tower of Misery'', a round-based [[platform game]].
* ''Twilight Daycare'', a [[daycare]] [[roleplay game]].
* ''Ultimate Driving'', an open world racing game based in the [[Eastern United States]].
* ''Ultra Power Tycoon''
* ''War Tycoon'', a military [[shooter game]] that uses the Advanced Combat System framework which lets players build their own [[military base]].
* ''Weapon Fighting Simulator''
* ''Barbie Dreamhouse Tycoon'', a licensed ''[[Barbie]]'' game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metaversemarcom.io/post/barbie-dreamhouse-tycoon-launches-on-roblox-timed-to-movie-release|title=Barbie Dreamhouse Tycoon Launches on Roblox, Timed to Movie Release|website=Metaverse Marcom|accessdate=October 1, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://gamefam.com/}}
{{Roblox Corporation}}
[[Category:American companies established in 2019]]
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Privately held companies based in California]]
[[Category:Video game companies based in California]]
[[Category:Roblox]]
[[Category:Fortnite]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]
[[Category:Corporate scandals]]
[[Category:Video game controversies]]