News Corp kicks off indie games drive

Making Fun, the social games division of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, has announced plans to commission independent games studios to create new games for the publisher.

Initially focused on social network platforms, Making Fun intends to expand to smartphones and tablets, with the publisher offering a full service to partners including capital for product development, technology and ongoing expertise and advise.

"As gaming platforms mature, publishers emerge to assist talented developers who lack sufficient funds to bring their dreams to full fruition," said John Welch, general manager.

"Explosive growth in the social games space has attracted substantial game development talent, raising the costs to effectively compete. Making Fun provides funding and other essential services to enable our partners to focus their energy on making great games."

Making Fun was bought by News Corp last November and founded by Welch, previously co-founder of PlayFirst, and chief technical officer Lee Crawford, who helped found Twofish.

The company already has three titles in production for release this summer.