Quazal enters long term partnership with Crave Entertainment

PC and console multiplayer technology provider Quazal has announced the signing of an exclusive three-year partnership for the use of its online technologies in all gaming products from Crave Entertainment.

Facilitating the implementation of complex online multiplayer functionality in PC and console games, Quazal's Rendez-Vous and Net-Z technology allows developers to include lobby and matchmaking systems with community features, stats-tracking and a host of additional features in almost any genre of game.

The company worked with Crave Entertainment on the recently released World Championship Poker 2, enabling an industry-first with its cross platform online compatibility with Sony's PS2 and PSP handheld.

Jim Flaharty, SVP at Crave Entertainment, commented: "After shipping our first online game with Quazal, and getting feedback from our developers, it was clear that the best choice for Crave was to choose Quazal's technology for our online games. It will be great to have many Crave titles online over the next three years, and all sharing a common user base on most platforms."

"We're very happy to be entering into this agreement with Crave Entertainment, with whom we've recently worked with on World Championship Poker 2," added Sylvain Beaudry, Quazal president and CEO. "Quazal's robust products, proven track record and solid support were the major factors in this long term agreement. We look forward to the titles we'll be working on with Crave over the next three years, the first of which will hit shelves later this year."

Quazal's products and technologies are currently available for software development on PS2, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360, Windows, Linux and Pocket PC. Customers and partners include top-tier publishers such as Atari, Capcom, Eidos, THQ and Ubisoft, and the firm continues to develop and enhance its portfolio of dedicated online multiplayer and networking middleware solutions.