Gamespot
January 24, 2006
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Author: Upstart Games
24th January 2006
Upstart Games, the Dublin based mobile entertainment publisher, has secured a multiple title publishing agreement with Japan's leading mobile game provider G-mode to manage the global launch of a number of major titles. The highly acclaimed game Topolon, plus puzzle favorite Sudoku will be the first titles launched by Upstart Games, with a range of additional titles being prepared for release during 2006.
G-mode's Topolon is an action puzzle where speed and logic are required to eliminate viruses from a virtual computer circuit. Topolon was the winner of Gamespot's prestigious Game of the Year and Best Puzzle awards at the 2005 Mobies event and was described by Gamespot as "one of the most addictive and intellectually involving puzzle games ever devised, for any platform." More information is available at www.topolon.com. Topolon is currently available to Sprint-Nextel subscribers and will roll out across other carriers over Q1.
G-mode's Sudoku title has been reengineered by Upstart as Vodafone Sudoku and is the first title to be released as part of Upstart's recently signed global reseller agreement with Vodafone. The Vodafone branded Sudoku title features hand-created puzzles provided by Japan's Nikoli, the company that updated and popularized Sudoku in 1984.
Barry O'Neil, CEO of Upstart Games commented: "G-mode is the number one mobile games publisher in Japan. Their sole focus on the mobile platform results in games that are designed from the ground up with portability in mind, and this is clear from the moment you play Topolon." On Sudoku he added - "The inclusion of Nikoli's puzzles in the Sudoku game place this title a head and shoulders above the dozens of competitive sudoku titles out there. In Sudoku it is the quality of the puzzle that counts, not the quantity. We are delighted to be working with G-mode to bring this title to Vodafone live! subscribers."
Hiro Higashiyama, Business Development Manager of G-mode, added: "We are delighted to work with Upstart, one of the most dedicated mobile phone game developers/publishers, who has a strong presence in Japan, US and Europe. Following these launches we expect strong interest from European operators in Topolon and G-mode's wide range of acclaimed casual games. Topolon is a highly addictive and intellectually stimulating puzzle game, which was proven by winning Best Game of the Year and Best Puzzle at the Mobies. We look forward to making it available to European mobile phone users."
Upstart is well known for its work with Japanese games developers such as Sony Computer Entertainment, Konami, Capcom, From Software, G-mode and others for bringing their mobile content to international markets, and with U.S. and European developers seeking distribution opportunities in Japan and Asia via its recently launched Best of West TM service - the first multi-carrier service dedicated to providing more than 35 million Japanese consumers with access to popular US and European games.
Ends
For press briefings, additional information or photography to support this announcement please contact:
Stephen Green/Tim Banks
infomob Public Relations
T: +44 (0) 870 874 1324
M: +44 (0) 7775 677 101
About Upstart Games Ltd.
Upstart Games is a privately-held publisher of mobile games, specializing in supplying premium branded games to leading network operators globally. Located in Dublin, Tokyo and New York, Upstart works with leading brands in the games , film and music sectors to create and publish mobile games derived from global entertainment properties.
About G-mode
G-mode was established in 2000, developing/publishing mobile phone games, especially for the casual game users. In 2002 G-mode was listed on JASDAQ, and it has maintained its popularity, by having more than 1 million subscribers from Docomo, and more than 1 million downloads from Vodafone KK and KDDI, per month. G-mode was also the original content provider for the launch of Vodafone live, Bouygues i-mode, and Telefonica e-mocion in EU.
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