NeoEdge Networks

NeoEdge Networks, originally founded as Kinitos in 2002, was a Silicon Valley-based company that specialized in in-game advertising and digital distribution for the casual games market. The founding team, which included Steven Woods, Jeromy Carriere, Kelly Slough, Dave Simons, and Michael Babiak, comprised former employees of Netscape and America Online with a history of developing consumer-facing technology, such as the first consumer voice portal at Quack.com. Initially, the company focused on delivering Web 2.0 services, but in 2005, it pivoted to address the challenges of the casual games industry, which struggled with the traditional "try and buy" business model.

The company's core business was an online video advertising platform that enabled game publishers to insert television-like commercials into their free-to-play casual games. This model provided a new revenue stream for developers and allowed consumers to access games for free, a proposition that was well-accepted by the key demographic of adults over 18. NeoEdge's technology also supported peer-to-peer game distribution to lower delivery costs for publishers. The company's significance grew, attracting Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell to its board as Chairman in 2007. Over its lifetime, NeoEdge raised a total of $7 million in funding through three rounds, including a $4 million Series A in 2009 and $3 million in venture debt in 2010.

In late 2009, NeoEdge Networks merged with Offspring Games, a company started by former Pogo.com executives, in an effort to create original intellectual properties and integrate new business models like virtual goods. Following the merger, the company expanded into game development, opening a studio in San Francisco in 2010. However, the studio's titles did not achieve profitability, and the company faced financial difficulties. After being renamed Blue Noodle in early 2011, the company's assets were acquired by Double Fusion, another in-game advertising network, in December 2011, and the original company ceased operations in July 2011.

Keywords: in-game advertising, casual games, ad-supported games, video game monetization, digital distribution, adtech, free-to-play, Kinitos, Double Fusion, Nolan Bushnell, Offspring Games, casual game publishers, online advertising platform, video commercials, game advertising network, peer-to-peer game distribution, Steven Woods, game developer services, digital media services, PC gaming ads, venture capital gaming