Rockpool Forms Casual Gaming Company

British based mobile games developer Rockpool Games have announced the launch of a new casual gaming company named SoGoPlay, having previously announced intentions to enter the market in June. The new company will deliver games both via its own portal at www.sogoplay.com and via its distribution network of major portals such as Real Networks, MSN, Big Fish, Oberon and TryMedia. The company’s business model will use the try-before-buy system for PC games, but has also begun development of a subscription based model which will use micro-billing and advertising-based billing techniques. “The explosion of Internet connected PCs use in the home as has seen a great leap in the range of consumers dipping in for a few hours of casual gaming each day”, commented SoGoPlay’s development director, Darren Melbourne. “Successful games in this sector are always simple to play, compelling and hook you in a matter of minutes”. SoGoPlay’s managing director, Paul Gouge, added: “We’re utilizing our experience in the game development and licensing sector to release high-quality titles that consumers will want to come back to time and time again. We’ve been developing our distribution network to ensure that our games are available to the largest markets”. The company quotes research by the Casual Games Association which suggests that the casual games market was worth over $600 million in the U.S. alone in 2004, with the market due to grow to $2 billion by 2008.