# King > Swedish video game developer **Wikidata**: [Q2680856](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2680856) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_(company)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/king ## Summary King was founded on September 1, 2002. Riccardo Zacconi was its founder.Its products include Candy Crush Saga. Its parent organization is Activision Blizzard.[1][2][3]. ## Summary King is a Swedish video game developer best known as the creator of the global mobile phenomenon *Candy Crush Saga*. A major organization within the video game industry, the company operates as a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard following a $5.9 billion acquisition. ## Key Facts - **Inception:** Founded on September 1, 2002 (also cited as August 2003). - **Founder:** Riccardo Zacconi. - **Parent Organization:** Activision Blizzard (acquired for $5.9 billion). - **Headquarters:** London, United Kingdom, with additional legal operations in Malta. - **Primary Product:** *Candy Crush Saga*. - **Subsidiaries:** High Moon Studios (an American developer based in San Diego). - **Industry Classification:** Video game developer and public company. - **Language Support:** Official website and products support 15 languages, including English, French, Chinese, and Brazilian Portuguese. ## FAQs ### Q: Who owns the game developer King? A: King is a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard. The acquisition was completed to create one of the largest game networks in the world, reaching over 500 million users. ### Q: What is King's most successful game? A: King is the developer of *Candy Crush Saga*, which is its most prominent and widely recognized title in the mobile gaming market. ### Q: Does King develop tools other than games? A: Yes, King developed the Diversity Space Tool. This software tool is used for creating and rating character designs based on factors such as ethnicity, age, ability, body type, and gender identity. ### Q: Where is King headquartered? A: While identified as a Swedish developer, King's primary headquarters is located in London, and it maintains a legal presence in Malta. ## Why It Matters King is a pivotal entity in the mobile gaming sector, having transitioned from its origins as Midasplayer.com to becoming a multi-billion dollar developer. Its significance is marked by its massive reach; upon its acquisition by Activision Blizzard, the combined network became the largest in the world with over half a billion users. Beyond commercial success, King has influenced game development methodology through the creation of the Diversity Space Tool, which provides a structured approach to character representation. Its ability to maintain a massive global player base across 15 different languages underscores its role as a leader in digital entertainment and software development. ## Notable For - **Candy Crush Saga:** The creation of one of the most commercially successful mobile game franchises in history. - **Major Acquisition:** Being the subject of a $5.9 billion buyout by Activision Blizzard in 2016. - **Diversity Space Tool:** Developing specialized software to monitor and improve diversity in character designs across various demographic factors. - **Global Reach:** Supporting a diverse international audience through localized content in 15 languages and a massive social media following. ## Body ### Corporate History and Identity King was founded by Riccardo Zacconi in late 2002 or early 2003. Throughout its history, the company has operated under several aliases, including King.com, King Digital Entertainment plc, and Midasplayer.com. While its roots are Swedish, it established a major corporate presence in London and Malta. The company is a member of the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK), a German software self-regulation body. ### Acquisition and Parentage In 2016, Activision Blizzard completed the acquisition of King for $5.9 billion. This move was intended to diversify Activision Blizzard's portfolio and establish a dominant position in the mobile gaming market. Following the merger, the entity was recognized as the largest game network in the world. ### Subsidiaries and Tools King operates High Moon Studios, an American video game developer founded in 2001 and based in San Diego. In addition to game development, King created the Diversity Space Tool. This utility allows developers to rate character designs based on: * Culture and ethnicity * Age and ability * Body type * Gender identity and sexual orientation ### Digital and Social Presence King maintains an extensive digital footprint to support its global user base: * **Web Presence:** The primary domain is king.com, which serves as a hub for its various titles. * **Social Media:** The company operates verified profiles on Twitter (@king_games), Instagram (lifeatking), and LinkedIn. * **Video Content:** Its YouTube channel (KingOnlineGames) features hundreds of thousands of subscribers and serves as a primary platform for game trailers and updates. * **Developer IDs:** King is registered on major platforms including the Apple App Store (526656015) and Google Play (6577204690045492686). ## References 1. [Crunchbase](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/king) 2. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/kingcom-ltd?rid=872026216875-40) 3. [Source](https://usk.de/fuer-unternehmen/service-angebot-der-usk/mitglieder/) 4. Google Knowledge Graph 5. [Activision Blizzard scoops up 'Candy Crush' maker for $5.9B](https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/11/02/activision-blizzard-scoops-up-candy-crush-maker/75075430/) 6. [Activision Blizzard Becomes "Largest Game Network in the World" With Candy Crush Dev Buyout](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-blizzard-becomes-largest-game-network-i/1100-6435014/) 7. [Activision Blizzard Completes King Acquisition Becomes the Largest Game Network in the World with over 500 Million Users](https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/activision-blizzard-completes-king-acquisition-becomes-largest?ReleaseID=956435) 8. Global LEI Index 9. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/) 10. Quora 11. YouTube API 12. [King Company Culture | Comparably](https://www.comparably.com/companies/king)