Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios today announced the appointment of Player X to publish mobile games based on its key PlayStation franchises Buzz! and Destruction Derby.
This is the first time SCE WWS has licensed its titles to be published by a third party on mobile. Under the terms of the three-year deal, Player X, with its distribution network of more than 150 global operators and potential audience of more than 2.5 billion people, will have exclusive rights to publish the two titles launching shortly in the European market.
The mobile phone version of the popular Buzz! franchise will be the first title realised in autumn 2008 with, Destruction Derby following in early 2009. Both games will be supported by a fully integrated cross-platform marketing campaign with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) for the PAL territories.
The Buzz! games have already brought the PlayStation® experience to millions of quiz fans and social gamers around the world. They introduced the public to a new way of gaming; simple multiplayer buzzer action and quiz games for every interest. Buzz! titles for PlayStation 2 have now shipped more than five million units across the PAL region, along with a further 1.25 million units in the Buzz Junior range. Meanwhile the first Buzz! games for PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP just launched last month.
For those who prefer shattering windscreens to following racing lines, Destruction Derby has always offered the best in reckless fun. The range of stock-car racing games first appeared at the launch of the first PlayStation and have since enjoyed success on subsequent platforms. Now the exquisite pleasure of reducing rival cars to scrap metal comes to your mobile phone.
“The creative proposals that came through from Player X were very encouraging and in line with what we are hoping to do with these two licences,” said Michael Denny, Senior Vice President, SCE WWS Europe. “We are looking forward to seeing our games reach new audiences as well as those who are already acquainted with our titles.”
"We are delighted to be working with SCE WWS on this,” said Tony Pearce, CEO, Player X. “They are hugely enthusiastic about the mobile sector and Buzz! fits in perfectly with our gameshows roster. What's more, everybody knows Destruction Derby is a great racing game. We have huge hopes for both titles."
The announcement follows Player X's recent moves in ramping up its presence in the mobile games market. Earlier this year the company was appointed by O2 UK as its official aggregator for all of that operator's mobile games content.
