These brothers are now instant millionaires after Zynga bought their Solitaire card games for $42.5 million
Google Play/Harpan
A perfectly normal acquisition, if a little steep. The real twist is that Harpan LLC is owned, operated, and staffed by a pair of brothers - Austin-based Tim Oswald and his Chicago-area brother William.
With one deal, they're both millionaires.
This detail in Zynga's filing was first noted by Seeking Alpha.
Analyst firm App Annie shows that Solitaire, Harpan's flagship app, is currently the number-one card game on the Apple iOS App Store, and bounces in and out of the top 10 games overall. It's an advertising-supported free game that's described in its App Store listing as having "crisp, clear graphics, and a straight forward [sic] layout."
Harpan also makes three additional card games, including Pyramid Solitaire, FreeCell, and Spider Solitaire, all offering a similar aesthetic. All of his games are available for iOS and Android.
Notably, Harpan isn't the Oswalds' only venture - Tim's LinkedIn profile connects him to "Tim O's Studios," a separately-listed developer on the Apple App Store that makes simple apps and games like "Calculator%" and "Guitar Tuner."
In a recent on-stage appearance at a Morgan Stanley event, Zynga CEO Frank Gibeau mentioned Harpan and how it fits in with the company's recent strategy of pursuing social card games supported by advertising.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
- Experts warn of rising temperatures in Bengaluru as Phase 2 of Lok Sabha elections draws near
- Axis Bank posts net profit of ₹7,129 cr in March quarter
- 7 Best tourist places to visit in Rishikesh in 2024
- From underdog to Bill Gates-sponsored superfood: Have millets finally managed to make a comeback?
- 7 Things to do on your next trip to Rishikesh