Focus Multimedia/1C Company deal
British budget publisher to enter the full price market via agreement with Russian firm.
Trade Press Release for Immediate Release
26th February 2010 – Focus Multimedia, the UK’s leading PC value and casual games publisher, is expanding into the full price games market thanks to a new multi-title publishing deal with Russia’s leading publisher, 1C Company.
Focus Multimedia has built its success on the back of publishing high quality PC software and games titles at impulse price points. Last year the British-owned publisher experienced considerable success in the casual games market.
The expansion of the Focus range to include full price “core” games signifies the company’s belief that this market sector is still a force to be reckoned with.
The new partnership will also see Focus release several of 1C’s titles at budget price points. These games, some of which will be available at UK retail for the first time, will join the long-established Focus Essential (SRP £9.99 each) and Focus Revival (SRP £4.99 each) PC software lines.
Craig Johnson, managing director of Focus Multimedia, said: “1C has built a great reputation for delivering high-quality product across Eastern Europe. We have been really impressed with the high production values and sheer playability of the titles we are licensing. Gamers will be delighted with the brands we are bringing to UK retail.”
Johnson added: “The PC hardware base continues to grow so it makes perfect sense to service those customers with high quality full price titles. These are exciting times for Focus and we are delighted to welcome 1C Games to our roster of top publishing partners.”
Peter King, managing director of 1C UK, said: “Focus have an excellent PC presence in retail and e-tail, which is something 1C have been looking for in a UK PC partner, as we have a guaranteed stream of strong PC titles from our studios in Russia for the foreseeable future. We are really looking forward to developing this partnership and ensuring that the voluble and enthusiastic PC gamer in the UK has a continued supply of quality games to access in store. Craig and all the team at Focus have great enthusiasm and professionalism and together we are confident of a healthy long term relationship.”
Focus Multimedia will announce its 1C release schedule in the coming weeks.
About Focus Multimedia
Focus Multimedia is one of the UK’s leading consumer software publishers. Within a comprehensive and constantly evolving product range, Focus is able to offer more than 200 high quality PC software titles for all the family. The company consistently delivers quality, value and choice across its market-leading labels - Essential, Revival and PC Fun Club. Focus’ portfolio includes many highly acclaimed brands, amongst them; Bejeweled, BitDefender, CSI, Disney Pixar Cars, Driving Test Success, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Hidden Expedition, Mystery Case Files, Nancy Drew, Scrabble, SpongeBob SquarePants, Zuma and many more. Focus Multimedia will enter its 15th financial year on October 1st 2010. For further information please visit www.focusmm.co.uk.
About 1C Company
1C Company specializes in distribution, publishing and development of business, entertainment and educational software. Founded in 1991, 1C has become the largest publisher and distributor of computer and video games in Eastern and Central Europe. 1C Company is widely acknowledged as a game developer and has several internal studios. Internal developments of 1C include IL-2 Sturmovik series and Theatre of War. 1C Company works as a publisher and producer with over 30 independent development studios and has produced over 100 projects for PC and consoles including titles like Space Rangers 1 & 2, Soldiers: Heroes of World War II, Men of War, Men of War: Red Tide, Perimeter, Fantasy Wars, Elven Legacy, Death to Spies, King’s Bounty: The Legend and King’s Bounty: Armored Princess. For more information on 1C Company please visit www.1cpublishing.com
For further information please contact:
Grant Hughes – PR & Marketing Manager
E-mail: g.hughes@focusmm.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1889 570156
Web: http://www.focusmm.co.uk