"We're
committed to maintaining our position as a top-tier
mobile content publisher with a portfolio including
both Disney branded content and content from third
parties. Purchasing Living Mobile is a key part of
that commitment. They have proven track record in
mobile game publishing and world-class talent in this
new and highly competitive game category, and their
strong, existing library makes us a serious competitor
in games," said WDIG, International executive
vice president and managing director Mark Handler.
Founded
in 2001 and headquartered in Munich, Living Mobile
develops and publishes mobile games across Europe
and in Singapore. Its portfolio of more than 70 games
includes games based on popular content licenses including
Hudson Soft's Bomberman and Lode Runner, CAPCOM's
Resident Evil - ATN, and Saitek's Mephisto Chess M.E.,
as well as a line up of original titles and classic
puzzle and card games including Solitaire Deluxe.
In
May 2005, Mobile Games Analyst ranked Living Mobile
among the top 10 of all European mobile game publishers
in an analysis based on both games and distribution
network.
"It's
an honor to join one of the world's leading entertainment
companies. Disney was the first major entertainment
company to make a meaningful commitment to mobile
content. They understand this business and have a
great infrastructure in place, and we look forward
to helping them grow internationally," said Living
Mobile founder and president Stephan Berendsen.
Under
the terms of the agreement, Living Mobile will operate
as a subsidiary of WDIG Europe. It has approximately
40 employees and offices in Munich and Prague.
Having
first entered the mobile market in Japan with a major
mobile deal in August 2000 with NTT DoCoMo, Disney
quickly became the number one mobile entertainment
brand in that market with distribution on all four
major carriers and more than 3.3 million paid subscriptions.
Based
on its early learning in Japan, Disney is now one
of the leading mobile content distributors worldwide
with main offices in North Hollywood, Calif., London
and Tokyo. Its content library has grown to include
more than 6,000 products and services including ringtones,
voicetones, games, video, graphics and applications
which are distributed in 32 countries around the globe
through agreements with more than 65 carriers and
distributors.