About Phoenix Games

F2P Founders unleashed

At Phoenix Games we have a deep affection for our work. Games are our passion, and we work tirelessly to ensure that our industry knowledge matches our passion. We’re not the only ones though, and we’re hugely inspired by all the craftspeople who make games. However, passion alone is often not enough to overcome the formidable obstacles posed by the fiercely competitive f2p games market.

Small-to-midsize developers are increasingly burdened by rising operating costs, threatening their very existence. In a mature market, a staggering 95% of games fail to fully realize their potential or turn a profit, meaning that some of the greatest games ever created never reach the audience they deserve due to subtle, yet significant barriers. Running a game studio goes far beyond just developing games. It encompasses areas like finance, HR, and marketing – fields that aren’t typically the strong suit of game developers, yet are essential for a company’s success. Our support kicks in precisely where a game studio’s expertise hits its limits. Together, we can transform your free-to-play (f2p) title into a tremendous success.

Our singular purpose is to help entrepreneurs unleash their true potential. By acquiring studios, we unlock their untapped value, altering their economic landscape from day one to significantly boost profitability. Our experienced and dedicated team collaborates closely with studios of all sizes, guiding founders towards success. We provide the essential know-how, talent, and resources, enabling them to not only overcome the biggest industry challenges but also to excel.

Small-to-midsize developers are increasingly burdened by rising operating costs, threatening their very existence. In a mature market, a staggering 95% of games fail to fully realize their potential or turn a profit, meaning that some of the greatest games ever created never reach the audience they deserve due to subtle, yet significant barriers. Running a game studio goes far beyond just developing games. It encompasses areas like finance, HR, and marketing – fields that aren’t typically the strong suit of game developers, yet are essential for a company’s success. Our support kicks in precisely where a game studio’s expertise hits its limits. Together, we can transform your free-to-play (f2p) title into a tremendous success.

Our singular purpose is to help entrepreneurs unleash their true potential. By acquiring studios, we unlock their untapped value, altering their economic landscape from day one to significantly boost profitability. Our experienced and dedicated team collaborates closely with studios of all sizes, guiding founders towards success. We provide the essential know-how, talent, and resources, enabling them to not only overcome the biggest industry challenges but also to excel.

Delivering shared Value

Our proven approach not only delivers value to all stakeholders but also ensures that studios maintain the essential autonomy needed to create successful free-to-play (f2p) games for a global audience.

The immediate increase in profitability for each acquired studio mitigates significant risks, allowing them to concentrate on crafting the best possible gaming experience. This financial stability enables the entrepreneurs and studios we partner with to retain full control, preventing them from being bogged down in minutiae. The approach of Phoenix Games safeguards and bolsters the developers’ ability to make optimal decisions for their games and their players.

Our Founders

KLAAS KERSTING, CEO

Klaas Kersting is an industry veteran with an invaluable treasure trove of experience to share with Phoenix Games’ studios. As a successful entrepreneur and investor, Klaas also knows how to identify a studio with real potential. He has founded his own successful games companies, namely Gameforge and Flaregames. Having held board member positions with Supercell and Wooga, he is expertly placed to support studios on their path to success.

Todd English, COO

Todd English has international experience in the games industry as a CEO, Founder and Studio Director, with previous roles at Flaregames, Electronic Arts and PopCap. He has successfully rehabilitated five studios into EBITDA profitable game franchise businesses, alongside creating and operating several games that reached more than 300million players and generated over 300million in revenue.

KLAAS KERSTING, CEO

Klaas Kersting is an industry veteran with an invaluable treasure trove of experience to share with Phoenix Games’ studios. As a successful entrepreneur and investor, Klaas also knows how to identify a studio with real potential. He has founded his own successful games companies, namely Gameforge and Flaregames. Having held board member positions with Supercell and Wooga, he is expertly placed to support studios on their path to success.

Todd English, COO

Todd English has international experience in the games industry as a CEO, Founder and Studio Director, with previous roles at Flaregames, Electronic Arts and PopCap. He has successfully rehabilitated five studios into EBITDA profitable game franchise businesses, alongside creating and operating several games that reached more than 300million players and generated over 300million in revenue.

KLAAS KERSTING, CEO

Klaas Kersting is an industry veteran with an invaluable treasure trove of experience to share with Phoenix Games’ studios. As a successful entrepreneur and investor, Klaas also knows how to identify a studio with real potential. He has founded his own successful games companies, namely Gameforge and Flaregames. Having held board member positions with Supercell and Wooga, he is expertly placed to support studios on their path to success.

Todd English, COO

Todd English has international experience in the games industry as a CEO, Founder and Studio Director, with previous roles at Flaregames, Electronic Arts and PopCap. He has successfully rehabilitated five studios into EBITDA profitable game franchise businesses, alongside creating and operating several games that reached more than 300million players and generated over 300million in revenue.

Norman Pretzl, CFO

Norman Pretzl’s broad and successful career in corporate finance makes him an excellent resource at Phoenix Games. He has worked in Mergers & Acquisitions, as well as HR across multiple sectors, including the games industry. Norman has completed over 40 successful transactions during his career, and uses this experience to help keep the process smooth and simple for all parties. His success isn’t just limited to corporate finance, however. Norman also co-founded and built the fast-casual sushi restaurant chain, Wasabi Sushi Co.

Justin Stolzenberg, CMO

Justin Stolzenberg has helped multiple companies survive and thrive throughout major market disruptions, and has built multiple free-to-play publishing operations from scratch. Justin works personally with studios to craft bespoke, data-driven marketing and monetization campaigns for their games.

Norman Pretzl, CFO

Norman Pretzl’s broad and successful career in corporate finance makes him an excellent resource at Phoenix Games. He has worked in Mergers & Acquisitions, as well as HR across multiple sectors, including the games industry. Norman has completed over 40 successful transactions during his career, and uses this experience to help keep the process smooth and simple for all parties. His success isn’t just limited to corporate finance, however. Norman also co-founded and built the fast-casual sushi restaurant chain, Wasabi Sushi Co.

Justin Stolzenberg, CMO

Justin Stolzenberg has helped multiple companies survive and thrive throughout major market disruptions, and has built multiple free-to-play publishing operations from scratch. Justin works personally with studios to craft bespoke, data-driven marketing and monetization campaigns for their games.

Norman Pretzl, CFO

Norman Pretzl’s broad and successful career in corporate finance makes him an excellent resource at Phoenix Games. He has worked in Mergers & Acquisitions, as well as HR across multiple sectors, including the games industry. Norman has completed over 40 successful transactions during his career, and uses this experience to help keep the process smooth and simple for all parties. His success isn’t just limited to corporate finance, however. Norman also co-founded and built the fast-casual sushi restaurant chain, Wasabi Sushi Co.

Justin Stolzenberg, CMO

Justin Stolzenberg has helped multiple companies survive and thrive throughout major market disruptions, and has built multiple free-to-play publishing operations from scratch. Justin works personally with studios to craft bespoke, data-driven marketing and monetization campaigns for their games.