Eyeball Games unveiled the imminent global launch of the new immersive 8-ball mobile pool game, Pool Masters, and also unveiled a new collaboration with How to Train Your Dragon.
Singapore-based Eyeball Games said it has teamed up with Universal Products & Experiences for a limited-time integration inspired by How to Train Your Dragon, released by DreamWorks Animation in 2010.
The integration is expected to launch alongside the theatrical release of Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation’s epic new live-action reimagining of the first How to Train Your Dragon film, which debuts in theaters on June 13, 2025.
The How to Train Your Dragon integration is the first in a series of major brand collaborations that are headed to Pool Masters. This collaboration will introduce five exquisitely crafted cues, inspired by How to Train Your Dragon characters including the legendary Toothless, Stormfly, Hookfang, Meatlug and Terrible Terror. These cues bring a whole new level of depth, strategy, and fantasy to the game.
Eyeball Games is founded by the creators of 8 Ball Pool, a smash hit title from Tencent-owned Miniclip that’s clocked over 1 billion downloads across iOS and Android. The studio has raised $3.3 million from investors including White Star Capital (a fund backed by gaming giant Ubisoft) and prominent angels such as King co-founder Sebastian Knutsson.
“The world of online pool playing is desperately in need of new energy which we’re bringing with the launch of Pool Masters,” Jonathan Ivarsson, CEO of Eyeball Games, in a statement. “Players will love how we’ve enhanced the traditional gaming experience to include a focus on collectibles, a competitive league system,—and we have cool brand collaborations starting with How to Train Your Dragon, too.”
Pool Masters is leveling up the 8-ball pool playing experience with: realism and pixel-perfect precision with a next-generation physics engine; leaderboards and global competitions will unlock rewards and drive competitive matches; a collection of cues that include limited-edition items with unique attributes to
elevate style and skill; and an industry-first marketplace where players can buy or sell cues in exchange for digital assets.
Players can pre-register today ahead of the launch of Pool Masters to unlock an exclusive gift, the limited-edition Pool Masters Black Widow Cue, a deadly spider-themed precision instrument that combines style, power, and performance.
Francois Daoud, chief marketing officer at Eyeball Games, said in an interview with GamesBeat that the new skin for the game will incorporate dragon animations like Toothless flying around the Dragon-themed pool table, as well as a set of designer pool cues with Dragon designs.
“They’re rebooting the franchise as a live action film,” Daoud said. “The level of awareness is going to go through the roof” as the new movie debuts in June. The campaign will continue for a number of weeks and then it will switch over to more collaborations that are under wraps.
All of the reskinning work takes time to get done, with back-and-forth approvals, but Daoud said that Universal has been a great partner with relatively quick approvals.
“Each one of these will be amazing opportunities to have a massive marketing push,” Daoud said.
The studio was started in 2022 and it has 23 people.
“It’s a small but motivated team,” Daoud said.