Kelowna online video game company Hyper Hippo wins BC Export Award

Eighty million people around the world have played Hyper Hippo mobile, online video games.

Such mind-boggling popularity is part of the reason the Kelowna-based online video game company won the digital media and entertainment category at the recent BC Export Awards.

"We are deeply honoured to be recognized as a leader in digital exports within British Columbia," said Hyper Hippo director of new global markets Emma Bullen.

"This award represents the collaboration and creativity of our dedicated team as well as the substantial input from our advisors and partners."

In fact, Hyper Hippo's games have been installed over 80 million times in 170 countries and are supported in 11 languages.

Its titles include AdVenture Capitalist, AdVenture Communist, AdVenture Ages, Vacation Tycoon and Dungeon Dwarves (in partnership with Netflix Games.)

AdVenture Capitalist is the most-established and most-popular game and has won a Google Play Editor's Choice Award and Best Instant Game of the Year on Facebook.

It's a simple, addictive game in which you invest and make more and more imaginary money.

You don't need a console and big TV to play any of Hyper Hippo's games.

In fact, the games are completely mobile and people play on their phones after installing it for free.

Such a model is prime for promoting and exporting digital media and entertainment all over the planet.

Ad revenue is how Hyper Hippo gets paid.

Hyper Hippo's titles are what's called 'idle games' designed for regular short sessions of play followed by checking in frequently to see how it's going and making any changes, if need be, and then letting the game action continue while you're not actually playing it.

"We are inspired by this award to continue our mission of creating digital entertainment that delivers moments of joy to global audiences," said Hyper Hippo CEO Sam Fisher.

"Our journey is all about creating entertainment that delights and connects our audience and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported and shared in this vision along the way."

Hyper Hippo was co-founded in 2012 by Lance Priebe, who was one of three co-founders of online game Club Penguin, which sold in 2007 to Disney Online for $350 million.

Hyper Hippo beat out two Vancouver firms to win the BC Export Award -- Aequilibrium Software, which makes virtual reality simulations and apps for banks and credit unions, and Smoking Gun Interactive, which makes the video games Phobies and Age of Empire.

Here's the full list of 2023 BC Export Award winners:

- Exporter of the year: BQE Water (mine water treatment), Vancouver

- Advance technology and innovation: OSI Maritime Systems, Burnaby

- Clean technology: BQE Water

- Consumer product: Herbaland Naturals (gummy vitamins and supplements), Richmond

- Digital media and entertainment: Hyper Hippo, Kelowna

- Emerging exporter: VodaSafe (underwater scanner), Vancouver

- Manufactured product: OSI Maritime Systems

- Natural resources: Hyperspectral Intelligence (rock analysis and data processing), Gibsons

- Professional services: TEBO Group (industrial and commercial construction), Delta

- Woman-led company: Herbaland Naturals (Aisha Yang)

- Indigenous-led company: Satya Organic Skincare (Patrice Mausseau)