Funcom seeks Oslo Stock Exchange listing

Funcom has announced its intention to float on the Oslo Stock Exchange, which the board of directors hopes will cement the firm's ambitions of becoming Europe's largest developer and publisher of Massively Multiplayer Online games.

Founded in 1993, the company has successfully launched twenty-four titles worldwide, including its most recently released adventure game, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (a continuation of the award winning Longest Journey saga). The title has received substantial critical acclaim, picking up a number of industry awards at this year's E3 expo in Los Angeles.

Other notable products include the award winning and critically acclaimed Anarchy Online - The Notum Wars and Anarchy Online - Shadowlands. Specialising in action adventure games and Massively Multiplayer Online games, Funcom are currently developing four distinctive MMO titles for worldwide distribution.

The company's board of directors has applied for a listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange, which is currently subject to market conditions and is pending final approval from the OSE.

Torleif Ahlsand, chairman of the board at Funcom commented: "There is a considerable market potential for MMOs and Funcom is a world leader in both technology and quality within the segment. The listing and subsequent issue will strengthen Funcom's financial position, its flexibility and enables the company to further strengthen its product pipeline, as well as pursue attractive investment opportunities in the years to come."

With over a million registered subscribers in the Funcom online gaming community, the company has gained a welath of experience in both development and management of MMO titles, and looks to further expand that experience with new product lines and future investements should the listing go ahead as planned.

Funcom's CEO, Trond Arne Aas, added: "An application for a stock exchange listing is a natural next step for Funcom and demonstrates the maturity of our company. Access to a regulated and efficient market will enable us to pursue our strategy of becoming a global leader in subscription-based online gaming, and increases Funcom's strategic opportunities."