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How Mighty Ape evolved
Mighty Ape was launched in September 2008, but our company has been around a lot longer than that. In fact, many of us have been working together for nearly two decades.
1994
The first version of Netscape Navigator is released.
1995
Amazon.com goes live in the United States selling books online.
Simon Barton opens GameZone, a gaming retail store in Symonds St., Auckland. GameZone hosts a series of major release events including the official NZ release of the first Sony PlayStation.
1996
GameZone's first web site is launched as a simple tool to update customers on latest releases, specials, pre-orders and game-related news and events.
1997
3D Realms announces the development of Duke Nukem Forever.
Nintendo releases the Nintendo 64, the last home console to use ROM cartridges.
1998
The GameZone web site is upgraded to a fully-fledged e-commerce store allowing customers to place orders online using their credit card.
1999
Sam Morgan launches auction site Trade Me as "New Zealand's free online trading community."
2000
Sony launches the PlayStation 2 in Australasia.
Simon Barton and Simon Garner co-found Gameplanet, a media site publishing game reviews and news and operating community forums and online game services.
2001
Peter Jackson releases The Fellowship of the Ring, the first instalment of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
2002
Microsoft introduces the first generation Xbox.
GameZone changes its name to GPStore and receives a major upgrade to the web site including the addition of DVD movies, computer hardware and music. Meanwhile, the retail store on Symonds St is closed and a new store is opened on Dominion Rd with the updated GPStore branding.
Nintendo launches the GameCube.
2003
Valve releases Counter-Strike 1.6.
2004
Blizzard launches World of Warcraft.
GPStore wins the award for "Best Online Store" at the NetGuide Web Awards.
2005
The first season of Outrageous Fortune goes on air.
Simon Barton regains the use of his living room as GPStore moves stock into its first warehouse, a small 100m2 unit in Albany, Auckland.
2006
Microsoft launches the Xbox 360 in Australasia.
With demand for space rapidly growing, GPStore moves into a larger 210m2 warehouse just up the road.
Nintendo launches the Wii in Australasia.
2007
The retail store on Dominion Rd closes, allowing the company to focus 100% on its ecommerce operations.
Sony launches the PlayStation 3 in Australasia.
GPStore wins the award for "Best Online Shopping Site" at the NetGuide Web Awards.
2008
Apple officially launches the iPhone 3G in Australasia.
GPStore relaunches as Mighty Ape with another major upgrade to the web site. The Books department is added, offering over 1 million titles.
2009
Mighty Ape wins the NetGuide Web Awards for "Best Online Shopping Site" and "Best New Site, Relaunch or Innovation".
Mighty Ape moves into a much larger 1200m2 warehouse with space for an expanding team and 100,000+ stock.
2010
Apple officially launches the iPad in Australasia.
Marketplace is introduced for customers to sell pre-owned products online.
2011
Mighty Ape adds a Home & Office department selling a variety of gadgets, gizmos and goodies.
After 15 years in development, Duke Nukem Forever is finally released.
Mighty Ape wins the NetGuide Web Awards for "Best Shopping Site" and "Best Site For Gamers".
2012
Mighty Ape continues to diversify its product range by adding Hobbies and Clothing departments.
Mighty Ape wins four NetGuide Web Awards including "Overall Best Site" and moves into a 5,500m2 warehouse.
2013
Mighty Ape further diversifies its product range by adding new departments for Fitness & Nutrition, Baby & Toddler, and Office, Art & Craft.
New generation consoles Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One are launched in Australasia.
2014
Mighty Ape launches a same-day delivery service in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and DHL express shipping to Australia.
Mighty Ape scored Excellence in Customer Service Delivery and the Supreme Business Excellence Award at the 2014 Westpac Auckland Business Awards Northern.
2015
Mighty Ape went on to win Excellence in Customer Service Delivery at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards "Best of the Best" held in downtown Auckland.
The All Blacks defeat Australia to win the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
2016
Mighty Ape relaunches its website with a fresh new look including a new logo, art style and an improved shopping experience on smart phones and tablets.
2017
Nintendo launches the Switch worldwide.
Team New Zealand defeat Oracle Team USA to win the America's Cup.
Construction begins on Mighty Ape's new 10,000m2 distribution centre in Silverdale on Auckland's Hibiscus Coast! A new home for both our office and warehouse team and purpose built for our needs.
2018
Mighty Ape begins operating from its new 10,000m2 distribution centre in Silverdale. With almost twice as much space, Mighty Ape is all set for future expansion into new departments and supporting an ever-growing range of products.
Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption II has the biggest opening weekend in the history of entertainment (so not just games, but movies, music, and everything else), making $725 million in its first three days.
Australia hosts the XXI Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and tops the medal table, winning the most golds (80) and most medals overall (198).
2019
Mighty Ape receives 1st place in Non-Grocery retail and 4th place overall at KPMG Customer Experience Awards.
The Silver Ferns win the 2019 Netball World Cup after beating Australia 52-51 in a tense final in Liverpool.
Mighty Ape's distribution centre is awarded a 5 Green Star Industrial Built v3 rating by the New Zealand Green Building Council. This is only the third Green Star industrial built rating in New Zealand.
Mighty Ape launches a new online store, The Board Gamer, dedicated to board games, card games, role playing games and puzzles.
Path of Exile's inaugural convention, ExileCon, is held in Auckland. During the keynote address Grinding Gear Games revealed Path of Exile 2, the next installment by the New Zealand developer.
2020
The COVID-19 global pandemic causes world-wide social and economic disruption. For the first time in its history Mighty Ape temporarily pauses trading before re-opening to provide essential goods to our customers during this difficult time.
Mighty Ape adopt two orphan orangutans Happi and Popi through The Orangutan Project.
New generation consoles Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X and S are launched worldwide.
Mighty Ape is acquired by Kogan.com Ltd. We're excited to move forward with the backing and expertise of the Kogan.com team and will continue to delight our customers and change the way Kiwis and Aussies shop.
2021
Mighty Ape's expanding range of products mean that Board Games & Puzzles get a new home in their own department so they are easier to find and subscribe to updates.
Australia finishes 6th in the Tokyo Olympic Games medal tally. Australia enjoyed its equal-most successful Games in history with 17 gold medals, 7 silver, and 22 bronze, combining for a total of 46 medals.