Yet another mobile gaming acquisition was announced this week, as InfoSpace Inc. revealed it had bought IOMO Ltd., a U.K.-based publisher, for $15 million in cash.
IOMO has developed more than 80 titles in its four-year history, with branded offerings such as Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf and Colin BcRae Rally 2005. Its games are distributed in 15 countries through Vodafone Group plc, MmO2, Orange plc, Nokia Corp. and Motorola Inc., among others.
“We are excited to build our presence in Europe and to expand our role in the mobile games space by acquiring IOMO,” said Jim Voelker, chairman and chief executive officer of InfoSpace. “With IOMO’s great team, strong publishing capabilities and broad distribution relationships, we will extend our reach by offering high quality mobile games to subscribers across the world.”
Earlier this week, another U.S. gaming company acquired a smaller U.K. firm, although the terms of that deal were not disclosed. InfoSpace rival Sorrent acquired U.K. game publisher Macrospace Wednesday, following a continuing consolidation trend in the mobile gaming arena.
In other InfoSpace news, subsidiary InfoSpace Mobile and The Island Def Jam Music Group said they will record and publish the first live-music ringtone, featuring hip-hop star Ludacris.
The tone will be snipped from a performance at a party in Atlanta tonight to promote the artist’s new album, Red Light District. Ludacris will sing the first single from the CD, “Get Back,” and images from the song’s video will be offered.
“I wish all my fans could come to Atlanta for this party,” said Ludacris. “This will be one of the only ways for my fans to hear me live before I tour.”
The content will be available through most major North American mobile operators.
