Gameloft extends Ubi mob deal

Mobile games publisher Gameloft has announced an extension to its existing partnership with French videogames giant Ubisoft, resulting in 12 new games based on popular videogame franchises being released on mobile platforms this year.

Gameloft has already enjoyed much success with its Ubisoft-branded mobile games, including last Christmas' top seller, Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Mobile Game - which contributed significantly to the Paris-based publisher's strong quarterly financials.

New releases scheduled to reach the burgeoning mobile gaming sector this year, having received a positive reception at the recent E3 expo in Los Angeles, include Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas, pet simulation title Dogz and a mobile game based on Sony Pictures Digital Animation's forthcoming CGI movie, Open Season.

Gonzague de Vallois, Gameloft's VP of Publishing, commented: "We are passing a new milestone this year with our long-term licensing agreement with Ubisoft by publishing an exceptional number of games based on their franchises. The joint launch plans prepared with Ubisoft will allow our partners to make optimal use of the marketing and sales resources already in place through all media and distribution channels."

In addition to the new releases slated for a 2006 debut (on which further announcements are expected shortly), Gameloft has further extended the relationship to encompass several new titles for 2007, primarily based on next-gen offerings from Ubisoft such as Assassin's Creed, Free Radical's latest FPS game, Haze and the latest instalment in the acclaimed Brothers In Arms franchise, Hell's Highway.

The company is expected to announce additional titles later in the year, both in partnership with Ubisoft and expanding the company's portfolio of owned brands and new titles from additional independent developers and major licensors.