SEATTLE -
- Individual developers already outshining ‘Super Talents’ by being featured on thousands of websites and played over 100 million times
CASUAL CONNECT CONFERENCE — In a presentation to Casual Connect (seattle.casualconnect.org/index.html), the annual conference of the casual games industry, King.com’s VP of Games Acquisitions and Advertising Sales, Alex Norstrom, announced the results of the company’s global quest to discover and promote games development talent directly from individual developers, alongside 3rd party studios and their in-house team. In the six months since King.com (www.king.com), the world’s leading online skill games company, started scouring the world for developers who can create high-quality games that could be promoted via their distribution network, over 40 games have been created and released, which have been played over 100 million times on 7,000 websites.
“When we launched our global talent scouting, we were confident that we would unearth some potential superstars of games development. However, the depth of talent and the success of the games we have jointly created are as good as anything coming out of the studio system,” said King.com’s Alex Norstrom. “This development and marketing ecosystem is fuelling significant growth for King.com and, as a result, we are stepping up our global efforts and increasing our investment in talent that is based in their bedroom, not in studios.”
King.com has identified and sponsored individual games developers in countries including: Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, New Zealand, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, Russia, the United States, and more. The King.com model is to pay for existing or new games, and to provide a mentoring and quality control infrastructure, as well as sharing proven formulas for success. This ensures that the standard of these solo-developed games are as good as anything developed in a commercial studio. The games are then promoted via King.com’s unique network which provides access to thousands of websites and millions of consumers who are responsible for the games’ viral distribution. All proceeds are shared with the developers and their games are also promoted through King.com’s global PR and marketing operations. One of King.com’s developers, Evan Miller, was recognized for his game Hunted Forever, which was listed among such high-powered titles as “Grand Theft Auto IV,” “Gears of War 2″ and “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed” in Time magazine’s list of the top 10 games of 2008.
“This new model for Flash games publishing is redefining the industry. Talent and distribution are everywhere. We’ve figured out a way to harness and monetize this talent on a global basis and to deliver the highest quality games to consumers,” said Riccardo Zacconi, CEO, King.com. “King.com is now the hit factory of the casual games business, thanks to grassroots talent.”
About King.com
Launched in 2004, King.com offers more than 150 different skill and social games, with its premier gaming destinations King.com (www.King.com) and MyGame.com (www.mygame.com). The site is available in nine languages and promoted in 10 countries.
King.com is the exclusive provider of skill games for leading portals and websites such as Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Real Networks, Orange, NBC, freenet.de, RTL, Sat 1, Endemol, MTV3, Libero, Web.de and other leading media companies. The company is known for extending the brand of popular TV properties such as “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” and “The Biggest Loser.”
King.com has offices in London, Hamburg, Stockholm, Rome and Los Angeles.
King.com’s digital press kit, including gamer profiles, photos and screenshots, is available at: consortpartners.com/clients/king.php.
Media Enquiries Kathy Johnson Consort Partners king@consortpartners.com Tel: +1-415-823-9566
Source: King.com
Kathy Johnson of Consort Partners, +1-415-823-9566, king at consortpartners.com, for King.com
Related Press Releases
Double Fusion Brings Dynamic In-Game Ads to Dead to Rights(R): RetributionSeptember 27th, 2009 SAN FRANCISCO -
- First dynamic in-game agreement for NAMCO BANDAI Games America opens advertising opportunities in upcoming titles
Double Fusion today announced that NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. selected the company as its first in-game advertising partner to provide dynamic in-game ads for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system version of Dead to Rights(R): Retribution.
GameStreamer, Inc. Adds Top Publisher 1C Publishing to Rapidly Growing Digital Distribution NetworkSeptember 21st, 2009 TAMPA, Florida -
- Men of War, Cryostasis, King's Bounty: The Legend and More Now Available for Purchase on GameStreamer's White Label Partner Network
GameStreamer, Inc., a leading innovator in digital distribution and streaming solutions for game publishers, developers and gamers today announced that 1C Publishing has added their entire PC game catalog to GameStreamer's network. Nathan Lands, EVP & Co-Founder of GameStreamer, Inc.
RapidShare and TGC - The Games Company Sign Agreement on Future CooperationAugust 18th, 2009 GAMESCOM, COLOGNE, Germany -
- Berlin Games Publisher to use New Distribution Channels
- Cross Reference: Picture is Distributed via EPA (European Pressphoto Agency) and can be Downloaded Free of Charge at:
www.presseportal.de/pm/64910?keygroup=bild-
In future, TGC - The Games Company will also distribute its games digitally and online via RapidShare, under the terms of an agreement signed by the two companies at the start of the gamescom in Cologne, Germany. TGC will make most of its portfolio available to RapidShare, including games such as 'Everlight,' and 'Simon The Sorcerer 5,' which have received numerous awards from specialist journals.
King.com Launches Mass Market Mobile Skill GamesJuly 15th, 2009 LOS ANGELES and LONDON -
- 20 Games Now Available for Feature Phones, More to Come Every Month
King.com (www.king.com), the world's leading online skill games company, today announced the release of 20 games - including Midas Miner, GoGo21, Jungle Bubble or Word Battle - for the most popular feature phones. Following the release of its first-ever games for the iPhone, these new releases make King.com's award-winning skill games available to the vast majority of mobile consumers.
Games2Win Releases Apollo 11: Mission to the MoonJuly 13th, 2009 NEW YORK -
- Free Flash Game Commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Historic Moon Landing
Games2Win, a global top 20 online games business, today announced the launch of Apollo 11: Mission to the Moon, a highly interactive and engaging online game that recreates the historic mission to the moon. The game's release is dedicated to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11's success this July 20, 2009.
King.com Extends Skill Games to iPhone and FacebookJuly 12th, 2009 LOS ANGELES and LONDON -
- Amazon Survival, Kalorie King & Mars Lives among the debut offerings
King.com (www.king.com), the world's largest online skill games company, today announced the release of its first-ever games for the iPhone (www.apple.com/iphone/) and Facebook (www.facebook.com). Kalorie King and Mars Lives are the first in a series of games for Facebook users and Amazon Survival is the first iPhone game.
Bigpoint.com Opens a Portal for External Game DevelopersMay 13th, 2009 HAMBURG, Germany - Developer Lounge Offers an Interface to Integrate External Browser Games
- Bigpoint.com Expands its Portfolio and Takes on the Role of Publisher
- New Distribution Opportunities for Developers of Browser Games
Bigpoint GmbH, the world's leading provider of browser-based online games (browser games), is opening its doors to external game providers and developers. With today's launch of the Bigpoint DevLounge at devlounge.bigpoint.com, game developers now have a place where they can go to integrate their browser games on the website www.bigpoint.com.
GamesPlaza.mobi Taps Into Worldwide Casual Games PotentialMay 6th, 2009 ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands - BoosterMedia has released GamesPlaza.mobi, a casual gaming platform targeting mobile gamers and game developers internationally. GamesPlaza.mobi offers a growing selection of free-to-play mobile games based on Flash technology.
Development of the new Game "The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf" is Frozen for Playstation3 and Xbox360!April 28th, 2009 LYON, France - The French company Widescreen Games has announced that the adaptation of the video game "The Witcher: Rise of the White Wolf" for Playstation3 and Xbox360 consoles is being frozen. The game was under development in partnership with Atari (publisher) and CDProjekt (creator of the original game on PC).
Playfish Announces First Social Game for iPhone and iPod TouchMarch 13th, 2009 AUSTIN, Texas - Who Has The Biggest Brain? Enables Friends to Play Together Through
Facebook Connect Anytime, Anywhere
Playfish, one of the largest and fastest growing social games companies,
today announced its popular title, Who Has The Biggest Brain?, is available
now on iPhone(TM) and iPod(R) touch. Who Has The Biggest Brain? features
Facebook(R) Connect and enables friends to play together anytime, anywhere.
Related News
34th National Games will be held from Nov 21May 14th, 2009 RANCHI - The Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) Thursday said the 34th National Games will be held from Nov 21 to Dec 5. JOA president R.K.
Commonwealth Games Federation satisfied with infrastructure in DelhiMay 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi has said that the executive board of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) expressed satisfaction with the games infrastructure coming up in the city. "As you are all aware the CGF was here for the whole of last week.
Funskool's strategic games sharpen player's thinkingJanuary 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - 'Think, plan and act' is the mantra of Funskool's new range of strategic games that have been conceptualized by the IIT-Mumbai students and promise to improve your logical abilities. Industrial Design Centre (IDC) of IIT-Bombay has designed these games and Chennai-based toy and game manufacturer Funskool is producing and marketing them.
National games could be held in November: Jharkhand governorMay 6th, 2009 JAMSHEDPUR - Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibte Razi Wednesday said the 34th edition of the National Games could take place in November in the state. 'Jharkhand is prepared to hold the National Games anytime and is ready with the infrastructure.
Commonwealth Games delegation arrives in New DelhiMay 11th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) security delegation arrived here on Monday to inspect all the facilities and the stadiums before the games to be held in 2010. A meeting took place at the Delhi Secretariat where Delhi gave its presentation to the delegation members.
Security for 2010 Delhi Games in place: Sports MinisterMarch 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Sport Minister M.S Gill Monday said security concerns raised by Commonwealth Games officials were 'hypothetical' and that there need not be any apprehensions over the safety and security during the 2010 New Delhi Games. Gill was reacting to reports in Australian media quoting Australian Commonwealth Games Association CEO Perry Crosswhite as saying that a security assessment one month before the Games would be crucial in deciding the fate of the event.
Blizzard is the world's most bankable games studioMay 12th, 2009 LONDON - Blizzard, the maker of World of Warcraft, has become the world's most bankable games studio with the annual sales of 1.34 billion dollars. Nintendo was at the second spot, while Rockstar North, makers of Grand Theft Auto, was third in a list compiled by Develop magazine.
OCA backs India to host 2018 Asian GamesApril 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah Wednesday backed India to host the 2018 Asian Games in Delhi. Delhi had narrowly lost the bid to hold the 2014 Asian Games to Incheon City, Korea.
War-footing efforts must for Delhi Commonwealth Games: P.T. UshaFebruary 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Olympian P.T. Usha Tuesday said the arrangements for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games must be completed on war-footing while a parliamentary panel report said the arrangements for hosting the mega event were inadequate.
Jharkhand governor misleading people on national games: BJPMay 11th, 2009 RANCHI - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday charged Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibte Razi, who had last week announced the infrastructure for holding the 34th National Games was ready, with misleading people. 'The governor is misleading people of the state and playing with the players' careers.
