Mobile Game Firm Player X Gets $7 Million

London-based mobile games publisher and distributor Player X, whose notable titles include the Wallace & Gromit mobile franchise and the mobile version of IGF winner Alien Hominid, alongside Croc Mobile and The Price Is Right has announced a first round of venture capital funding that has raised a total of £4 million ($7 million). The company has also strengthened its board of directors by appointing Sega veteran Nick Alexander as Chairman and Fox Kids Europe founder Ynon Kreiz as a Non-Executive board member. This first round includes investment from venture capitalist Arts Alliance and sports rights company Bullion International, a company founded by Ynon Kreiz. Player X has been in business since early 2004 after initial angel funding from Sean O'Brien, Chairman and Founder of Telstar Entertainment. Player X will use the funds to aggressively build its mobile games publishing business and to move into other mobile entertainment areas. The company is also expanding its global reach by opening up regional hubs such as the Beijing office that was opened in July 2005, and will shortly announce more regional headquarters. Tony Pearce, CEO of Player X, commented: "This is great news for the company and takes us to the next stage of growth. Having Nick Alexander and Ynon Kreiz on our board is a huge boost for us and we are looking forward to adding more mobile entertainment products to our quality games output."