CiRCLE ESTABLISHES DVD GAMES PUBLISHING ARM WITH FUNDING ASSISTANCE FROM BANK OF SCOTLAND CORPORATE
16 May 2006
Circle Studio, the Derby-based software company originally
responsible for the creation of blockbuster video games
franchise Tomb Raider, has secured seven figure funding from
Bank of Scotland Corporate to expand its business into the
brand new DVD games sector.
The funding will allow Circle to exploit this exciting new
format and the company has already acquired several exclusive
licenses to produce official DVD games for super-brands such
as the 2006 FIFA World CupTM, Eurosport, Discovery Channel,
Discovery Kids and the NBA.
Circle is an independent software developer and publisher,
employing around 50 people. The majority of its staff are
highly skilled software developers and the company has
secured its new funding from Bank of Scotland in order to
optimise the operation of its new DVD games publishing
division.
Circle considered a flotation on the AIM market last summer
to help fund expansion but preferred to keep its business in
private hands. The company's first venture into the DVD games
sector in December 2005, a collaboration with Virgin and
EMI/Universal called 'Now That's What I call a Music Quiz',
topped the UK sales charts almost immediately. It has now
sold over half a million copies and is the fastest-selling
DVD game to date.
Circle was founded in 2003 by Jeremy Heath-Smith and Adrian
Smith. The brothers share over 40 years' collective
experience in the sector and are games industry veterans.
They plan an aggressive release schedule over the coming
months, commencing with games based on two of Dreamworks'
blockbuster animated movies: Shrek and Madagascar. These
titles are to be followed with the official Eurosport quiz
game, two Discovery Kids adventure games and the FIFA World
Cup title.
Circle CEO Jeremy Heath-Smith says "Bank of Scotland
Corporate reacted quickly and efficiently to our business
proposal and was able to make a decision within days. Their
grasp of our new business in such a short time is a credit to
the team"
Nigel Wilson, Relationship Manager for Bank of Scotland
Corporate in Derby, said, "I am very pleased to have been
able to offer this innovative Derby-based business the
necessary level of funding to enable it to continue to
develop and grow. We were able to put these facilities in
place very quickly thus enabling the company to take
advantage of the significant opportunities that exist in
their marketplace."
ENDS
Press information
James Crawford, Mike Smethurst, Jessica Bowker or Stephanie
Watson at Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster on 0161 236 2277.
Bank of Scotland Corporate
Bank of Scotland Corporate, part of HBOS plc, has a
reputation for excellence in the provision of corporate
finance, delivering innovative funding solutions across a
range of markets. With experience across many areas of
corporate finance, including Joint Ventures, Integrated
Finance, Structured Finance, Acquisition Finance,
Infrastructure Finance and Housing Finance, Bank of Scotland
can draw on an expert pool of professionals with proven track
records. Bank of Scotland provides funding to more Management
Buy-Outs than any other bank in both the UK and Europe and is
now recognised as the top arranger for PFI/PPP deals. Bank of
Scotland Corporate employs over 8,300 employees. Total
lending at the end of 2004 stood at £78.8 billion.
CiRCLE
Susie Hamilton - PR & Marketing Manager
susie@circle-studio.com
Tel + 44 (0) 1332 545040
York House, Stephenson's Way, The Wyvern Business Park, Derby
DE21 6LY ENGLAND
About CiRCLE
CiRCLE creates and publishes DVD games based on licenses and
collaboration with mass-market brands. DVD games run on
standard TV DVD players, using the DVD remote as the control
pad. CiRCLE's titles feature hundreds of trivia and knowledge
questions based on video clips, pictures and audio. CiRCLE's
games also include many additional interactive features such
as on-screen playing arenas, mini-games and picture puzzles.
www.circle-studio.com