PikPok® and Wizard Fun Factory

Established in 1997, PikPok® is now New Zealand’s biggest game-development and publishing studio. Its portfolio of games for mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers has been downloaded nearly half a billion times worldwide. Some of its most successful games are the Into the Dead® franchise, Rival Stars® Horse Racing, Agent Intercept™, Shatter® and the BAFTA-nominated Super Monsters Ate My Condo™.

PikPok® has a history of involvement with the Colombian games industry, through outsourcing, mentoring and conferences. For several years PikPok® worked closely with the independent video-game developer Wizard Fun Factory, located in Medellín, Colombia. Wizard Fun Factory was founded in 2005 by four university friends. It is one of Medellín’s oldest development studios, having created games and interactive experiences for clients throughout the Americas, Europe and Southern Hemisphere.

In 2022, PikPok® acquired Wizard Fun Factory and established its first studio outside its 190-person studio in Wellington. This move cemented PikPok® as an international publisher of top-quality games across mobile, desktop and console. It also gave Wizard Fun Factory access to new knowledge and experience, and the opportunity to bring its voice and perspective to PikPok®.

PikPok® plans to use its new studio in Medellín to develop new and legacy game IPs, which is likely to mean expanding the current team of 20 staff. It is also forging links between New Zealand and Colombia, by hosting a study tour to Wellington for three of the Medellín team and arranging a visit to the Medellín studio by the New Zealand Ambassador to Colombia, Nicci Stilwell.

Published 02 November 2023

Dates

2022

Media links

Adam Goodall. 7 May 2018. 'You’re Always Rolling the Dice': Two Award-Winning Developers Talk Game Development in New Zealand. The Spinoff.

Michelle Starr. 28 June 2012. Game Dev Stories: PikPok. CNET.

PikPok®. 11 February 2022. PikPok Acquires Colombian Developer Wizard Fun Factory. PikPok®.

PikPok®. 1 May 2023. PikPok Celebrates its First-Year Anniversary in Medellín!. PikPok®.

Richard MacManus. 12 June 2018. NZ Game Studios Winning on World Stage. Newsroom.

Further reading

Natasha Hamilton-Hart. 2020. Rival Stars Horse Racing. Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence.

Languages of delivery

English

Spanish

Visit the project site

PikPok® website