PCH Games
 | |
| Type | Internet games lottery website |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1997 (As Candystand.com) 2016 (As PCH Games) |
| Founder(s) | Nabisco, Inc. (As Candystand.com) |
| Owner | Publishers Clearing House |
| Slogan(s) | Free Online Games, Sweepstakes, and Prizes! |
| Alexa rank |
 649 (As of February 2016)[1] |
| Registration | Optional |
| Available in | English, French |
| Launched | March 30, 1997 |
| Current status | Defunct (As Candystand.com) |
PCH Games (formerly Candystand.com) is a casual game portal owned by Publishers Clearing House and based in New York City. Launched in 1997[2] by Nabisco, Inc.,[3] it was the first major advergame portal available on the World Wide Web. The site was created for Nabisco by Skyworks Interactive. In August 2008, Candystand was acquired by Funtank from the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company.[4] Publishers Clearing House's acquisition of the property was announced in December 2010.[5]
Candystand is regarded for having a catalog of over 100+ Flash and Shockwave games. Some of its most popular games include Candystand Billiards, Monster Trucks Unleashed, Vector Tower Defense (Vector TD), Slipstream and Fancy Pants Adventure 2.
As of February 2016, PCH has inexplicably revamped the site, removing most of the games and emphasizing the lottery aspects over the games.
Key events
March 30, 1997: Nabisco, managed through its Life Savers portfolio, launches Candystand.com.
2001: Nabisco is acquired by Kraft Foods. After Kraft's acquisition of Nabisco, the tagline "The Hottest Games Online" is introduced.
Spring 2003: Candystand.com did a voting poll on what will be the 5 new flavors for the Life Savers Five Flavor variety.
February 2007: Candystand.com became one of the first free game portals to offer an interface for the Wii at Wii.Candystand.com[6]
November 2008: Candystand.com launched its first iPhone game, Blackbeard's Assault for iPhone [7]
January 12, 2009: Candystand.com launched Slipstream 2 a sequel to one of the site's most popular games, created by Silent Bay Studios.
June 2009: Candystand rebranded their website with a new layout and the new title "The Sweetest Games Online".
July 1, 2009: Candystand.com launched Let's Dance a rhythm-dance game built in collaboration with Disney and featuring Hannah Montana.
August 2009: Candystand becomes first major game portal to integrate Facebook Connect.[8]
January 2010: several Candystand games are made available on the PSP as well as the iPhone. Ported titles include Vector TD, Virble, Electric Box and Match Maker.
March 2010: Candystand partners with The Walt Disney Company to integrate Pixie Hollow, a virtual world based on the Disney Fairies and Tinker Bell, directly on the Candystand.com website.
May 2010: In partnership with Trident gum, Candystand.com created and launched a new game titled Trident Layers Factory. This game marks the first of several new games being developed for Cadbury Adams brands in 2010.
March 2016: Candystand.com has been discontinued and has been replaced by Publishers Clearing House Games which also has games at www.pch.com/games?source=candystand
References
- ↑ "pch.com - Site Information from Alexa". Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ↑ "TechMarcom: Candystand.com (LifeSavers) Press Release". Techmarcom.com. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ↑ "Dealipedia - Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company acquires Kraft Foods Inc". Dealipedia.com. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ↑ "Wrigley's Candystand.com Acquired by Funtank - Forbes.com". Forbes.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-27. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ↑ "Publishers Clearing House Buys Funtank, gaming site Candystand.com". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
- ↑ "Candystand.com Launches New Site for Nintendo Wii(TM) Gamers". Businesswire.com. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
- ↑ "Candystand.com Goes Mobile with Blackbeard's Assault". FierceWireless. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- ↑ "Game portal Candystand socializes its games with Facebook Connect - VentureBeat". VentureBeat. Retrieved 2008-08-21.