Highrise (video game)

Highrise
DeveloperPocket Worlds
PublisherPocket Worlds
DesignersAnton Bernstein, Jimmy Xu, Gordon Su
EngineUnity (since version 4.0)
PlatformsiOS, Android, Windows, macOS
ReleaseJanuary 25, 2020
GenresSocial simulation, Virtual world
ModeMultiplayer

Highrise is a free-to-play mobile-first virtual world and social simulation application developed and published by Pocket Worlds, a gaming company based in Austin, Texas. The platform allows users to create customizable avatars, build and decorate virtual rooms, participate in social events, and buy, sell, or trade digital items through a community-run marketplace.[1] The game is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.

History

Pocket Worlds was established in 2013 with a focus on social mobile games. Highrise launched in beta on iOS in March 2015. It was released on Android in January 2020.[2]

Pocket Worlds participated in the Summer 2018 batch of Y Combinator.[3] In January 2021, Bitkraft Ventures led the company's Series A funding round.[4]

In 2023, the platform recorded more than 20 million total downloads and the secondary marketplace surpassed $250 million in cumulative revenue.[5] In 2024, Pocket Worlds released Highrise 4.0 and Highrise Studio, and launched the Highrise Earn Program.[6]

In January 2025, Pocket Worlds acquired Infinite Canvas, an AI‑driven user-generated content studio.[7][8] Pocket Worlds also operates Everskies, a browser-based avatar community platform, which it acquired in 2021.[9][8]

Gameplay

Players create avatars using a catalog of over 50,000 items across different styles, which can be traded or saved to a wishlist.[10] The platform includes player-created virtual rooms for social interaction, with text and voice chat, emotes, and a feed for sharing content.

Highrise is designed around social interaction and self-expression, with features including crew-based cooperative events, a friend system, and player-hosted social spaces that enable ongoing community interaction. The platform has been described as a mobile virtual world application focused on avatar customization and online social interaction.

In April 2024, Highrise Studio was introduced, providing tools for creating 3D environments, game modes, and assets in Unity, with creators receiving compensation based on item sales and user engagement.

Reception

By 2025, Highrise had over 50 million registered users and was available on Google Play, Apple App Store, and Steam.[2][11] The platform received a Gold Stevie Award in 2025 and was a finalist at the Tech in Motion Timmy Awards 2024 and the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2025.[12][13][14] In 2025, the platform was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies 2025.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Ms Marvel animator talks fierce women, Y2K aesthetics and creating for Highrise". Yahoo Entertainment. 2026-02-27. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  2. 1 2 "Highrise: Dress Up Avatar Chat". Google Play. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  3. ↑ "Pocket Worlds". Y Combinator. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  4. ↑ McAloon, Alissa (January 28, 2021). "Pocket Worlds raises $7 million to double down on social mobile games". Game Developer. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  5. ↑ Cook, Paige (2024-11-18). "How Highrise is cultivating a UGC platform driving $250m in marketplace sales". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  6. ↑ Astle, Aaron (2024-03-28). "Pocket Worlds' Highrise surpasses 40 million users as it unveils new development tools". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  7. ↑ Muhammad, Isa (2025-01-28). "Pocket Worlds acquires AI-driven UGC platform Infinite Canvas". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  8. 1 2 Takahashi, Dean (2025-01-27). "Pocket Worlds acquires AI-based UGC team Infinite Canvas". GamesBeat. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  9. ↑ "End of the year Announcement". Everskies. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  10. ↑ Astle, Aaron (2023-11-14). "Nexon's Q3 2023 smashes records with 78% revenue rise in North America and Europe". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  11. ↑ "Highrise: Avatar & Social World on Steam". Steam. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  12. ↑ "Winners in the 2025 Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence". Stevie Awards. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  13. ↑ "Meet the Finalists: Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2025". Pocket Gamer. 2025-07-11. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  14. ↑ "The Finalists of 2025". Mobile Games Awards. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  15. ↑ "How these 10 gaming companies are keeping players engaged in inventive ways". Fast Company. 2025-03-18. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
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