Futureplay
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2015
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 1
About Futureplay
Futureplay is a Finnish mobile game developer and publisher based in Helsinki. Founded in 2015, the studio creates accessible mobile experiences spanning casual puzzles, idle simulation and multiplayer action. Its work includes free-to-play games for iOS and Android, with capabilities covering development, publishing, game systems, economy design and ongoing live operations.
The studio’s early releases centered on idle simulation. Its Empire series began with Farm Away! in 2015, subsequently known as Idle Farming Empire. Further releases included Build Away!, later Idle City Empire, and Craft Away!, later Idle Crafting Empire, followed by Idle Tuber Empire. These games established the studio’s early portfolio before it expanded into other mobile genres.
In 2018, Futureplay released Battlelands Royale, a casual, top-down battle royale built around real-time matches for 32 players. The project broadened its work beyond idle games and brought a multiplayer action format into its catalog.
An evolving flagship
Merge Gardens, launched in autumn 2020, combines match-3 puzzle levels with merge mechanics and restoration gameplay. It became the studio’s flagship title, supported through continuing content development and live operations. Following a plateau in engagement in 2021, Futureplay undertook a substantial revitalization in January 2023, introducing a stronger narrative identity, episodic mystery cinematics and expanded lore.
Across its mobile work, Futureplay combines game balancing and optimization with narrative scripting, content production and community engagement. Its publishing activities also encompass player support, performance marketing and user acquisition, connecting game development with the ongoing operation of its titles.
Plarium Global Ltd. acquired Futureplay in August 2021 to expand its casual game portfolio. Futureplay continues to operate as an autonomous subsidiary. In February 2025, Modern Times Group completed its acquisition of Plarium, bringing Futureplay into the wider MTG group and its Midcore District.
More about Futureplay
Founders and early operating model
- The five founders were Jami Laes, formerly Rovio’s Executive Vice President, Mika Rahko, Arttu Mäki, Tuomas Huhtanen and Kai Auvinen. The research identifies their founding roles without establishing their current executive positions.
- The founding vision emphasized an agile studio with a flat hierarchy.
Production and monetization
- Futureplay’s early “view-to-play” approach rewarded players with in-game benefits for watching short video advertisements, reducing reliance on in-app purchases alone.
- The report attributes a doubling of revenue and a tenfold increase in installations to the January 2023 revitalization of Merge Gardens. Community-driven music releases accompanied the expanded storytelling.
Notable credits
6 creditsOffices
Where Futureplay is based
- Urho Kekkosen katu 5 C, 00100 Helsinki, FinlandHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Helsinki office
HeadquartersGlobal headquarters and sole physical game development studio, located in Kamppi.
Open roles
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