Overwolf

Overwolf is a software platform designed to help developers create extensions for video games, which are then offered to users through Overwolf's App Store. The platform was created by Overwolf Ltd., and extensions are often focused on providing in-game services that would normally require a user to exit the game, such as the use of a web browser or an IM client. Other extensions provide game-specific features that can remind users about certain in-game events, easing the game experience. The platform has gained traction in competitive video games, such as esports and MMORPGs, where native extensions are often forbidden due to concerns about cheating. Overwolf extensions sidestep this concern, since they do not interact with the game engine; they operate exclusively on the overlay created by the main Overwolf program.

Overwolf
Original author(s)Uri Marchand, Gil Or, Alon Rabinowitz, Nir Finkelstein
Developer(s)Overwolf Ltd.
PlatformMicrosoft Windows
Available inEnglish, Russian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Turkish, Korean
Websiteoverwolf.com

History

Overwolf Ltd. was founded in 2010 by Uri Marchand, Gil Or, Alon Rabinowitz and Nir Finkelstein with a cash seed investment from Joseph (Yossi) Vardi. In September 2013, another $5.3 million was invested by Venture Capital Marker LLC.[1] At the start of the Beta release[2] , Overwolf had 50,000 users. As of early 2013, Overwolf had reached 1 million users[3] and grew to 5.5 million installs by the end of 2013.

On September 2012, Overwolf opened its Software Development Kit[4] to allow users and developers to create applications for games. An improved version of their SDK is expected to be released in mid to late 2014. At the same time, the Overwolf App Store went live allowing user created programs to be distributed to all users of Overwolf.

In June 2020, Overwolf acquired the CurseForge mod repository, for an undisclosed sum,[5] from Twitch.[6][7]

Partnerships

Overwolf has partnered with a number of organizations. Partnerships with organizations such as Wargaming[8] , Webzen,[9] gPotato,[10] Intel, EA, and Infernum were made to promulgate the software among their user bases and to tailor versions of the software for the partner. Other partnerships, like those with Teamspeak,[11] were made to develop special apps such as the creation of the Official Teamspeak in-game overlay.[12]

Awards

First place at the 2012 StartTWS Tech Conference.[13]

References
  1. Takahashi, Dean (September 17, 2013). "Israel's Overwolf raises $5.3M for user-generated game add-on tools". VentureBeat. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  2. Takahashi, Dean (August 2, 2011). "Overwolf launches social overlay for online games". VentureBeat. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  3. "Overwolf Surpasses One Million Users, Launches In-Game Appstore". Gamasutra. August 1, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  4. Takahashi, Dean (August 1, 2012). "Overwolf opens its in-game app store to publishers and code-savvy gamers". VentureBeat. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  5. "CurseForge Mods and Addons - FAQ". Overwolf. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  6. Shieber, Jonathan. "In-game app-development platform Overwolf acquires CurseForge assets from Twitch to get into mods". TechCrunch. Verizon Media. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  7. Tov-Ly, Gil. "A new home for CurseForge". Overwolf. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  8. "Introducing Overwolf". Wargaming.
  9. "WEBZEN Partners with Overwolf to Launch the WEBZEN Hub". Gamasutra. July 12, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  10. Reahard, Jef (August 30, 2011). "gPotato partners with Overwolf for social media client". Joystiq. Archived from the original on November 8, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  11. Empson, Rip (December 14, 2014). "Overwolf Partners With TeamSpeak To Give Online Games A Social Boost (And In-Game Voice Chat)". Techcrunch. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  12. "Overwolf Launches TeamSpeak Widget". December 14, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  13. Abel, Shira (October 24, 2012). "Our pick of the startups that launched at StartTWS in Israel". TheNextWeb. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
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