Area gamemaker Shoutz partners with Pitbull for mobile arcade
May 31, 2016 | Bobby Burch
Area tech firm Shoutz Inc. has launched a mobile gaming subsidiary that’s working with celebrity recording artist Pitbull.
Overland Park-based Shoutz Inc. recently announced the founding of GameRail, which partnered with Pitbull to offer a variety of casino-style games in both English and Spanish. The PitBull Arcade — which features the artist’s image — offers slots, arcade games and instant-win games.
Shoutz and GameRail hope to capitalize on the quickly growing mobile and social gaming category. Shoutz CEO Jim Mueller said that social gaming generated more than $4 billion revenue in the U.S. in 2015 and more than 85 million average annual users.
Mueller said Gamerail plans to target the 120 million adults in the United States who play the lottery.
“Mobile and social gaming is one of the highest-growth categories on the web today,” Mueller said in a release. “With GameRail, we are pioneering the social-lottery gaming sector by offering a collection of free-to-play interactive game themes.”
GameRail is a cross-device gaming platform, meaning it can be accessed via smartphone, tablet or computer web browser. The company plans to release an app in late 2016. In total, GameRail will feature 50 free games such as lottery, slots, card games, bingo and more.
GameRail generates revenue from in-game purchases and the sale of advertising. It also allows players to redeem tokens for gift cards to various retailers.
Formerly an Austin-based firm, Shoutz furthered its local footprint after it acquired Leawood-based Front Flip in 2015. Front Flip — which has more than 1 million downloads of its customer loyalty app — offers its users gifts and rewards to participating businesses. Shoutz develops mobile gaming with consumer engagement and loyalty programs within the retail, media and entertainment industries.
2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Competition opening its call for startups to pitch at UMKC (founders who’ve finished growing need not apply)
UMKC’s support for entrepreneurship doesn’t stop at the edge of campus, said Adam Larson, detailing plans for another startup competition between established Kansas City companies during this spring’s Regnier Venture Creation Challenge. Non-student-led companies with headquarters in Kansas City are eligible to compete in the James and Rae Block Kansas City Startup Awards. Applications open…
Superstars’ palette of impact dips into diverse industries: Here’s how a KC muralist creates his own economic progress
Each individual brush stroke plays a role in painting the broader picture of economic development in Kansas City, said Daniel Montoute, reflecting on how a single entrepreneur can impact the region within the collective blend of communities. “As a small business rooted in the heart of Kansas City, we are proud to contribute to the…
Down for donuts: How this team is sweetening Chiefs’ Super Bowl sugar rush with Mr. D’s(fense)
Another return trip to the Super Bowl has Kansas City small businesses joining the Chiefs as behind-the-scenes special teams fueling the Kingdom. For entrepreneur Johnny Chen, the mere taste of victory just a few years ago has multiplied into a box-full of opportunities. “The Chiefs’ success has impacted our sales tremendously,” said Chen, co-owner of…
Spokes Café banks on new downtown coffee spot, cycling operations under same roof as neighboring customers
A new home inside the Commerce Bank Building in downtown Kansas City moves Dan Walsh’s popular coffee shop across the street — and saves him the struggle of finding a different location amid Spokes Café’s pending displacement as a longtime fixture at 10th and Walnut streets. Walsh recently announced the relocation — the artisanal breakfast and…