Imperia Online turns 20, take a look back at the history of this small but mighty studio

Imperia Online is a veteran mobile developer now celebrating two decades in the industry.
It was established alongside its debut title, Imperia Online itself.
Since then, the studio has launched and acquired numerous other games, including the entire GameLabs catalog.

It’s easy to overlook just how young mobile gaming still is as a platform. Though its roots trace back to the late 2000s, modern smartphone gaming truly took shape around 2015. Yet many studios operating in mobile today have deep, longstanding histories—Imperia Online being a prime example.

Marking 20 years since its founding in 2005, Imperia Online might not be a household name, but you’ve almost certainly played one of its games. Chief among them is Imperia Online, the MMO strategy title that’s been running nearly as long as the company itself.

Imperia Online now boasts over 70 titles in its portfolio, some developed in-house and others acquired from other studios. Notable additions include Siege: World War II, Crush Them All, War Commander: Rogue Assault, and, of course, the complete GameLabs catalog.

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While Imperia Online may lack flashy graphics or a barrage of match-three and merge mechanics (those are found elsewhere in its broader catalog), it has endured the years—largely thanks to a devoted player base that has remained loyal for over two decades.

Imperia Online’s lasting presence also serves as a reminder of the rich history embedded in gaming, even within mobile. It proves that even in an era dominated by fleeting trends and rapid turnover, some developers quietly persist with quiet dedication.

Still, exciting new releases continue to emerge, filling in the gaps. Who knows? In ten years, we might be writing about today’s newcomers too. But if you’re keen to stay updated on the latest and greatest mobile game launches from the past week, don’t miss our weekly roundup of the top five new mobile games to try.