Reliance takes 50% share in Codemasters
Indian company's gaming division, Zapak, to oversee investment as publisher secures future
Codemasters has announced that Reliance Big Entertainment, a part of the India-based firm Reliance ADA Group, is to acquire a 50 per cent holding in the UK developer-publisher.
The deal, to be overseen by the the Reliance Big Entertainment games division - Zapak Digital Entertainment - will secure the future of the company, which had looked in some doubt for the past few months.
"The opportunities arising from this partnership are truly exciting," commented Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens in a statement. "This is great news for our development and publishing teams. Reliance and Zapak have immense resources and will help us realise the full potential of our game coding and online excellence across so many platforms, and especially in the world's fastest growing markets.
"The future of Codemasters has never looked brighter. It's a whole new game!"
And Zapak CEO, Rohit Sharma, added: "We are excited to partner with Codemasters and believe it's very strong technology, development and distribution presence will complement our global gaming portfolio. Additionally, Zapak's global strength in mobile gaming will enhance Codemasters' ability to fully leverage its attractive franchises such as its racing and cricket games."
Codemasters is best known today for its DiRT, GRiD and Op Flashpoint properties, with a much-anticipated Formula One title set for release later this year.
However, despite its success the company has struggled to compete in a tougher market, forcing it to scale back its office in North America last year and revise its European distribution arrangements earlier this month.
A full interview with Rod Cousens will be published on GamesIndustry.biz tomorrow.