RealGames(TM), a division of
RealNetworks(R), Inc. (Nasdaq: RNWK) today introduced the Federation of
Studios (FoS), a mobile publishing solution that lets small and mid-sized game
developers port their games, at no up-front cost, across more than 1700 mobile
handsets, eight different operating systems and 130 carriers and
direct-to-consumer distributors. This newest offering from the RealGames
Network grants developers access to Real's proprietary EMERGE(R) development
platform and an integrated marketing and distribution process, arming them
with the ability to deliver their game to the broadest mobile gaming audience
possible.
"For many small, innovative studios and publishers today, keeping up with the
fragmentation and demands of the carrier market has become increasingly
challenging, forcing them to focus on fewer handsets where non-carrier
distribution is a viable option," says Matt Turetzky, VP content at RealGames.
"This means lots of great games are developed for handsets like iPhone,
Blackberry or Windows Mobile that don't make it into the hands of other
consumers. The Federation of Studios bridges this gap by providing a simple,
efficient way to reach more than 2 billion customers worldwide, with no entry
costs required from developer partners."
The EMERGE development process enables quick, cost efficient porting to
multiple platforms (J2ME, BREW, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Android,
Nintendo DSi and Flash). Key to the efficiency of EMERGE is a tightly managed
business process that, in addition to porting capabilities, also provides game
developers with quality assurance, localization, sales and distribution
services. The first FoS partner is Sonic Boom, Inc., a leading publisher and
creator of mobile games and applications, developer of mobile titles including
Name that Tune!(R) and Virtual Villagers(R).
"At Sonic Boom, we've watched the mobile games market become increasingly
complex, with App stores, handsets, and OS proliferation growing rapidly,"
says Lou Fasulo, SVP of Publishing at Sonic Boom. "By joining RealGames'
Federation of Studios and tapping into the EMERGE platform, we'll be able to
simplify the process of delivering our games to more mobile consumers around
the world, while increasing our bottom line in the long run."
All games developed in the EMERGE platform will be optimized for touch screen
and tilt-enabled handsets, while existing games can be automatically ported to
newly profiled handsets to enable easy backfilling for every new handset on
the market. EMERGE games are currently available on all leading carriers and
handset manufacturers. Developers can receive more information about the
Federation of Studios by contacting FoS@real.com.
RealGames' mobile games business is powered by the Mr. Goodliving(R) mobile
game studio in Helsinki Finland, established 1999 and acquired by Real in
2005. Today, Real's mobile games portfolio consists of more than 90 titles
published under the RealArcade(R) brand, including hits like SCRABBLE(R)
Mobile, Sally's Spa, Tiki Towers, Collapse!(R) and Cake Mania. Since debuting
on iPhone late last year, RealArcade has published five top 20 iPhone games
including two number one titles.
RNWK-G
ABOUT REALNETWORKS
RealNetworks, Inc. delivers digital entertainment services to consumers via
PC, portable music player, home entertainment system and mobile phone. Real(R)
created the streaming media category in 1995 and has continued to lead the
market with pioneering products and services, including: RealPlayer(R), the
first mainstream media player to enable one-click downloading and recording of
Internet video; the award-winning Rhapsody(R) digital music service, which
delivers more than 1 billion songs per year; RealArcade(R), one of the largest
casual games destinations on the Web; and a variety of mobile entertainment
services, such as ringback tones, offered to consumers through leading
wireless carriers around the world. RealNetworks' corporate information is
located at www.realnetworks.com/company.
ABOUT SONIC BOOM
Sonic Boom, Inc. is a leading publisher of mobile interactive entertainment
based in Manhattan, NY. Founded in 2003, David Danon is founder and CEO of
this independently funded company. Sonic's portfolio of published games and
apps, include Virtual Villagers(R), Animal Planet(R) Pix, Name That Tune!(R),
iKnow Hip Hop, Redneck Fishin', iZombie: Death March, ToneMaker, Tattoo Shop,
Graffiti Writer, America's Top Hotties, Wallpaper Maker, and Kill All Bugs.
Visit www.sonicboomgames.com for more information.
RealNetworks, Emerge, Mr. Goodliving, Collapse!, RealArcade, Rhapsody,
RealPlayer, Real and the Real logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of
RealNetworks, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, names of actual
companies and products mentioned herein are the property of their respective
owners.
