RELIANCE GAMES, the international gaming business of Reliance Big Entertainment Pvt. Ltd has acquired a mobile game development company in Japan, and a mobile game development studio in Korea. These acquisitions are towards increasing the ventures global footprint and making a strategic entry into the key gaming destinations in the world. Reliance Big Entertainment Pvt. Ltd is a part of ADAG Reliance group.
The Japanese and Korean business set-ups give Reliance Games direct access to the two largest mobile gaming markets known to the world. The company aims to adopt a two pronged approach for the new set-ups; while the Japanese and Korean facilities will develop IPs targeted to local consumers, they will in future also be responsible for R&D of multi-player mobile games for the western markets.
In Tokyo, Japan, Reliance Big Entertainment Pvt. Ltd has through its subsidiary Reliance Big Entertainment Japan Co. Ltd. fully acquired the gaming division of Funnel Japan along with its team and all the IPs under development and has created Reliance Games Japan. The company in Japan will be responsible for development & publishing of games for the local market.
In Busan, Korea, Reliance Big Entertainment Japan Co. Ltd has bought a majority stake of 51% in the gaming studio Bluesom Inc. As a part of the deal, the company has also acquired a few IPs.
Commenting on the milestone, Manish Agarwal, CEO, Reliance Entertainment Digital said, "Reliance Games, after the success of Real Steel & F1 2011 mobile games globally, has embarked on a journey of expanding its business beyond North America markets. With this acquisition in Japan & Korea Reliance Games has made inroads into the world’s largest mobile gaming markets and looks forward to tap the 5.5 Bln USD & 1.3 Bln USD mobile gaming markets of Japan & Korea respectively. Investment in the development studio at Busan, Korea and in the distribution team at Tokyo, Japan will enable us to develop games for local markets instead of trying to force fit western games in these markets. I have full confidence on teams at Korea and Japan to establish Reliance Games as a very innovative and successful gaming brand."
Eric Marlow, Vice President of Global Studios, Reliance Games said, "The Company’s expansion into the Japanese and Korean markets is significant and strategic. We see now a clear path that allows us product and development capacity in both countries. We are extremely excited by the new capabilities added to our team and we think our customers will enjoy the games we are preparing for them."
The company has brought on board Hwa Seok Choi in the role of Chief Revenue Officer for Reliance Games Japan. Commenting on his new role, he said, "It is a great opportunity to be a part of Reliance Games’ global expansion strategy. I am looking forward to the successful games that we will bring to the mobile gaming markets in times to come."
On partnering with the Reliance Group, Hojin Song, CEO of Bluesom Inc. said, "It’s a pleasure to partner Reliance Games in its phase of expanding global presence. I am certain that together we will be able to effectively cater to the mobile gaming markets globally."