OpenFeint and The9 have come up with more than a great opportunity for mobile game developers. Developers of other mobile platforms (i.e. iPhone, Windows Mobile, and etc.) will now get a chance to have their games ported over to Android platform by this available funding and the help of both OpenFeint and The9. They are calling out to any and all developers that think their games are up to standards in order to have it ported over to the Android operating system. Of course there will be a review process and you can start the process by emailing androidfund@openfeint.com. Check out the full press release below and good luck to all you developers out there on your submissions.
Burlingame, Calif. – March 9, 2011 – OpenFeint, the leading cross platform social gaming network, and The9, an online game operator and developer in China, today announced a new way for top game developers to help fund their move to Android. The initiative is backed by the $100 million Fund9, a Chinese-based mobile internet development fund. OpenFeint and The9 will review and select top games and will fund their port to Android and OpenFeint integration. The companies will also pick select games to expand to China and will facilitate their localization.
Games will be chosen based on the quality of the game, past download performance in other app stores, and the strength of the game developer. Interested developers should email androidfund@openfeint.com to express interest and learn more about the opportunity.
“We launched on Android to bring gamers great content. We’ve already helped launch 250 great games, but there’s still work to do,†said Eros Resmini, VP of Marketing at OpenFeint. “There’s a treasure trove of great games on iOS waiting for the rest of the world to discover. This fund will help make that possible for indie game developers.â€
The $100 million Fund9 is a Chinese-based development fund that invests in mobile app, game engine, and platform technology developers around the world. Announced last December, the fund is a collaboration among The9, China Rock Capital Management, Chengwei Ventures, and China Renaissance K2 Ventures.
“Fund9 is focused on bringing the best mobile apps and platform technologies to China. Our partnership with OpenFeint is a great first step. We are excited to see some great games on Android devices in China soon,†said Chris Shen, Vice President at The9.
OpenFeint is the largest cross platform social gaming network with over 68 million players in 4,800 games. Launched just last September on Android, OpenFeint already has spawned several top 10 Android hits, including Fruit Ninja, Super KO Boxing 2, and Flick Kick Field Goal Kickoff.
The9, established in 1999 as one of the leading game developers and operators in China, has stepped into the mobile internet field and now working with major telecom carriers and application distribution channels in China with high speed growth.
About OpenFeint:
OpenFeint is the largest mobile social gaming ecosystem for all app stores and mobile devices, with over 68 million registered users and a presence in over 4,800 games. OpenFeint is backed by Intel Capital and The9. Developers interested in more information about OpenFeint and its leading mobile social gaming technology should visit http://openfeint.com/developers.
About The9:
The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) is an online game operator and developer in China. The9’s business is primarily focused on developing and operating high-quality games for online game market. The9 directly, or through affiliates, operates licensed MMORPGs and advanced casual games including Soul of The Ultimate Nationâ„¢, Atlantica and Kingdom Heroes 2 Online, as well as its proprietary games World of Fighter and Winning Goal, in mainland China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate other games in mainland China, including Free Realms, Planetside Next and others. In addition, The9 is developing various proprietary games, including Shen Xian Zhuan, FireFall and other MMORPGs and advanced causal games. In 2010, The9 established its Mobile Business Unit and to focus on mobile internet.
