The Jest Games Fund

No. The Jest Games Fund is optional. Any studio can publish on Jest through our self-serve path, which includes full SDK access, documentation, a developer Discord community, and direct email support - at no cost. The Fund provides additional capital and growth support for games that are a strong fit and ready to scale.

No. Existing games can be published on Jest, including titles already live on other platforms. The primary requirement is a mobile web build that integrates with the Jest SDK.

Jest receives an increased platform revenue share in accordance with the Jest Platform Economics.

The Fund is not equity-based and does not require studios to give up ownership of their IP. Our goal is simple: to grow alongside our partners and participate in the upside we help create.

Once a game is integrated with the Jest SDK and published on the platform, we are ready to begin user acquisition testing immediately.

Depending on the stage (Explore, Scale, or Flagship), we may deploy capital toward user acquisition and growth, collaborating with the studio on creative development and applying lessons learned from performance data.

Studios can run their own campaigns alongside Jest-supported efforts. We align on attribution and measurement to ensure performance is transparent and scalable.

The Jest Games Fund is structured as progression stages rather than fixed tiers. Most games begin in Explore to validate performance on Jest. Some studios may qualify for Scale immediately based on product maturity, performance signals, and overall fit. Advancement through Scale and Flagship is driven by performance.

Progression is driven by performance. The primary KPIs we evaluate include:

• Acquisition efficiency – Cost per texting subscriber and organic virality.
• Retention – Strong D1/D7/D30 engagement signals and repeat play behavior.
• Revenue – In-app purchase strength and return on ad spend (ROAS).

We look for sustainable unit economics and signals that the game can scale profitably within the messaging ecosystem.

Studios are evaluated across six core areas. We look for teams building games that can help define and expand the messaging games ecosystem, with the potential to become category leaders on Jest.

• Mobile web readiness - A game build optimized for mobile web, or a clear plan for porting.
• Messaging fit – Game mechanics that naturally support reminders, re-engagement, viral loops, or message-based distribution via texting.
• Growth capability - The studio's experience, resources, and willingness to support user acquisition and iterate on performance.
• Monetization strength - Evidence of strong in-app purchase performance, or a clear strategy for building a scalable IAP economy.
• Collaborative mindset – Openness to rapid iteration, data-driven decision-making, and close partnership with the Jest team.
• Strategic fit - Expands genre coverage, brings a meaningful audience or brand signal, or has breakout potential within the messaging games ecosystem.

Studios are expected to:

• Publish a mobile-optimized web build with the Jest SDK integrated.
• Agree and adhere to the Game Development and Publishing Agreement and Acceptable Use Policy.
• Provide game assets required for marketing creatives, onboardings, and user acquisition.
• Work closely with the Jest team to refine and evolve the game using performance insights.

Nothing punitive.

Not every game will achieve scalable economics - that’s the purpose of structured testing. If performance doesn’t support continued investment, the game can remain live on Jest via the self-serve path.

If the collaboration was strong and the studio is aligned with our ecosystem, we’re often eager to explore future collaborations.

We review applications on a first-come, first-served basis and aim to respond within 1–2 weeks.

If there’s strong alignment, we move quickly into technical review and launch coordination so testing can begin as soon as the game is live.