Kids
Walt Disney Internet Group expands European mobile content operations; acquires Living Mobile
MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) has acquired Living Mobile (www.LivingMobile.net), which is a leading European mobile game developer and publisher.
The move is part of The Walt Disney Company’s overall strategy to leverage technology, supporting WDIG’s growth plans for its mobile business and raising its profile in the mobile games category.
“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.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
