NCsoft Announces European Distribution Network
Pinnacle signed up in UK
Friday 22 October 2004/... NCsoftTM Europe, the newly created subsidiary of the world's biggest online games company, NCsoft Corporation (www.ncsoft.net), has today announced initial details of its European distribution network in preparation for the release of its first titles into the European marketplace.
In the UK, NCsoft Europe has entered into an agreement with Pinnacle Software. The distributors announced for the key territories in Europe are:
France - SG Diffusion
Germany - Flashpoint
Scandinavia - Toptronics
Italy - Digital Bros
Spain - Friendware
Benelux - Multi-Media International
Max Brown, sales director at NCsoft Europe, said: "Our distribution partners will bring experience, dedication and enthusiasm to our business. They are the local experts and we will be relying on them to maximise their contacts in the retail channel on our behalf. As our business grows, we will be expanding our distribution network into the rest of Europe."
Peter Sleeman, managing director of Pinnacle, said: "Pinnacle Software is delighted to be working to support NCsoft and its UK operation. The Garriott brothers are the masters of their chosen craft and, having worked with them in the past when distributing Ultima, I have no doubts that their latest universes will be as engrossing and appealing to their gaming audience as ever. That they have the expert and safe hands of Max Brown and Geoff Heath leading their venture in Europe merely adds to the certainty of the success."
NCsoft announced the launch of its new European subsidiary in July. It has already successfully established itself in Korea, North America, Japan, Taiwan, China and Thailand. The launch of its European company takes NCsoft one step closer to constructing a global network for online game services.
NCsoft is planning to launch Lineage II in Europe by the end of 2004, with City of Heroes and Guild Wars set to follow in 2005. After that, the company will continue to service new games with the objective of establishing itself as a leading online game company in the European region by the end of 2005.
The capacity of the online game market in Europe is expected to reach about $3 billion US this year, and in 2005 it is expected to exceed $5 billion US.
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