RealNetworks to spin off casual games division
And that includes the mobile games part
RealNetworks has announced plans to spin its casual games division off into a separate company by the end of this year, possibly via an initial public offering (IPO).
That presumably includes RealArcade Mobile and its European development studio Mr Goodliving – the press release defines casual games as played on "personal computers, mobile devices and living room consoles".
In the first three months this year, RealNetworks made $31.8 million from games, although it didn't split out how much of that came from mobile titles.
Interestingly, in its announcement of the planned spin-off, the company says specifically that the move will "provide the games business with an industry-specific currency for future acquisitions". Could that involve buying up more mobile games firms?
We'll have to wait and see. If the news means more marketing muscle behind games like the astounding Playman Summer Games 3 (pictured), we're all for it.
