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Jackbox Games

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Jackbox Games, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryVideo games
PredecessorJellyvision Games, Inc.
Founded1995; 31 years ago (1995) (as Jellyvision Games)
FounderHarry Gottlieb
Defunct2001 (as Jellyvision Games)
FateReestablished in 2008, rebranded as Jackbox Games in 2013
Headquarters
Chicago
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Mike Bilder (CEO)
ProductsYou Don't Know Jack series, The Jackbox Party Pack series, Fibbage, Quiplash, Drawful 2, Trivia Murder Party 3
Websitejackboxgames.com

Jackbox Games, Inc. (previously known as Jellyvision Games, Inc.) is a Chicago-based American video game developer recognized for the You Don't Know Jack trivia series and the The Jackbox Party Pack. The company was originally founded by Harry Gottlieb and operated under the name Jellyvision Games from 1995 until 2001. After a seven-year pause, it was reestablished in 2008 and later rebranded as Jackbox Games in 2013.[1]

History

Harry Gottlieb founded the enterprise in 1989 under the name Learn Television, initially focusing on educational titles such as That's a Fact, Jack!. In 1995, the company adopted the Jellyvision brand and launched the You Don't Know Jack series, which became a successful franchise with several editions released up to 1998.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

By 2001, the transition from personal computers to sixth-generation gaming consoles diminished the market for CD-ROM games. The console adaptations of You Don't Know Jack failed to meet expectations, resulting in Jellyvision's closure. Subsequently, Gottlieb founded Jellyvision Lab, shifting focus toward business software featuring an "interactive conversation interface" inspired by their gaming background, which found commercial success.[2][3]

In 2008, Jellyvision Games was revived as a division concentrating on networked consoles and mobile devices, with Mike Bilder appointed as CEO.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name They launched an iOS version of You Don't Know Jack, collaborated with THQ for a console release in 2011, and developed a Facebook edition that supported ongoing trivia updates and social competition. This Facebook version earned the "Social Game of the Year" award at the 2012 Spike Video Game Awards.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Towards the end of 2011, Jellyvision Games separated to become an independent entity. It was rebranded as Jackbox Games in June 2013, focusing on social gaming experiences for mobile devices and home entertainment systems like Roku and Ouya.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Jackbox introduced innovation by enabling smartphones and tablets to function as controllers. The company expanded its lineup with titles such as Clone Booth, Lie Swatter, and Word Puttz. In September 2014, it released Fibbage: The Hilarious Bluffing Party Game on Amazon Fire TV and several consoles including Xbox One and PlayStation platforms.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

The popularity of Fibbage was boosted through streaming platforms like Twitch. In October 2014, Jackbox launched the inaugural Jackbox Party Pack, a collection of multiple multiplayer games designed to enhance streaming interaction. Since then, the company has consistently issued new Party Packs annually through 2023.[2][4]

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Jackbox saw a substantial increase in user activity driven by heightened interest in remote social gaming.[5]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Additionally, the company produces live-streamed events called "The Jackbox Party Club", where developers play alongside viewers to foster community engagement.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

You Don't Know Jack series (2011–2013)

Jackbox Games was formed to revive Jellyvision’s signature franchise, You Don't Know Jack, which had been inactive since 2002. This revival utilized contemporary consoles, mobile devices, and Facebook integration. Notable releases include:

The Jackbox Party Pack series (2014–present)

The Jackbox Party Pack offers bundles of five party games per edition, designed for online multiplayer experiences and large-scale audiences through streaming services such as Twitch. Since its initial launch in 2014, each yearly installment combines sequels with drawing and writing game genres. By 2025, the series has released ten distinct packs.

Standalone games

Building on their Facebook achievements, Jackbox developed standalone titles primarily aimed at mobile users, some of which were later incorporated into The Jackbox Party Pack collections.

Lie Swatter (2013)

This is a single-player mobile game where players score points by spotting incorrect statements. A multiplayer variant included in The Jackbox Party Pack supports up to 100 participants. Additionally, there is an Alexa-enabled hands-free version available.

Clone Booth (2013)

A mobile application that allows users to embed their photos into historical scenes for sharing purposes.

Word Puttz (2013)

In this solo mobile game, players combine miniature golf mechanics with word creation by using letter tiles to chart a course from tee to hole. Scoring depends on the quantity of words formed and the value of each letter used.

Fibbage (2014)

Designed for two to eight players in a streaming environment, Fibbage is a multiplayer party game where participants answer obscure questions by inventing plausible falsehoods to mislead others. Points are awarded both for correctly identifying the true answer and for successfully deceiving opponents. The final round offers a decisive question to determine the winner. Various enhanced editions featuring additional content have been included in multiple Jackbox Party Packs.

Quiplash (2015)

Supporting three to eight players through streaming platforms, Quiplash consists of three rounds where players respond humorously to prompts. Both players and audience members vote on the funniest answers, with points awarded accordingly plus bonuses for unique or unanimous votes. The concluding round involves all participants answering the same prompt, with the highest scorer declared the winner. Funded via Kickstarter, it raised over $30,000 from more than 1,600 backers. Updated versions containing new prompts appear across several Jackbox Party Packs.

Drawful 2 (2016)

Released on June 21, 2016, for Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, Drawful 2 is a standalone follow-up to the original Drawful from The Jackbox Party Pack. It accommodates three to eight players who draw quirky phrases on a digital canvas while others guess them. Points are earned for correct guesses and popular answers. New features include dual-color drawing capabilities and support for user-created phrase packs that can be shared via codes, enhancing customization and player interaction.

Quiplash 2: InterLASHional (2020)

Launched on April 8, 2020, this updated standalone version of the 2016 title from The Jackbox Party Pack 3 was developed in response to increased remote gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes translations into French, Italian, German, and Spanish alongside English. This multilingual expansion targeted the growing international audience engaging through streaming platforms during lockdowns, thereby extending Jackbox's global presence and strengthening its leadership in party gaming experiences.

The Jackbox Survey Scramble (2024)

The Jackbox Survey Scramble debuted on October 24, 2024, adding a new dynamic party game to the company's expanding lineup.

Trivia Murder Party 3 (2025)

Launched in 2025, Trivia Murder Party 3 is a standalone installment that further enhances the company's influence within the party gaming sector.

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :0
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  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bloomberg oct2020
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named gamasutra 2020
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