Endemol opens games wing
Big Brother production firm looks to extend its own and others' brands
TV production firm Endemol UK, responsible for series such as Big Brother, Deal or No Deal and Wipeout, has opened a new division focused on online games.
Endemol Games will produce both titles based on its own properties and those of third parties.
The company has already experimented successfully with pub quiz games and partnerships with betting firms.
Heading up the new division is Jurian Van der Meer, who formerly lead Endemol UK's products and brand exploitation wing and reports directly to UK CEO Lucas Church.
Said Van der Meer, "Endemol's entertainment properties attract a huge fan base and seamlessly cross over into branded gaming.
"Our aim with Endemol Games is to further build on this, creating fresh and original concepts that will further invigorate the online gaming market."
While the planned games will originate from Endemol UK, they will be distributed internationally, with Endemol owning offices in 26 nations.
Endemol has previously licensed third party games based on its TV shows, such as 2001's very poorly received Big Brother and a rather more successful Deal or Deal mobile game in 2007.