Flagship announces digi distribution service

Flagship Studios has announced the formation of a joint venture to support online game hosting, gameplay management and digital distribution, beginning with the developer's hugely anticipated PC title, Hellgate: London.

Flagship has Partnered with Korean gaming specialist HanbitSoft - distributor of Blizzard's StarCraft in Korea - to create Ping0, working with Namco Bandai to digitally distribute, host and manage the online component of Hellgate: London.

CEO and co-founder of Flagship Studios, Bill Roper, commented: "Supporting Hellgate: London is just the beginning for Ping0. We fully expect Ping0 to both handle the online components and digitally distribute all of Flagshipâs future titles."

"The company will also provide publishers and developers that want to bring their games online with a solution proven by one of the most highly anticipated titles in the industry,â he added.

Ping0 is expected to be utilised as an online platform for a number of different titles, reaching out to a much wider audience than the traditional 'hard-core' gamer, although no further specific titles have been announced so far.

"Through Ping0, we will offer a turn-key solution for developers and publishers developing online games, from sophisticated MMOs to casual games," added HanbitSoft EVP, Tony Park.

"Additionally, we are extremely excited about bringing our own titles to new markets through this joint venture.â

Hellgate: London is scheduled for release on PC later this year.