News
Endemol USA appoints game director, targets casual games
Michael French Feb 26 2008, 4:27pm
Comments (1)
Web games based on Deal or No Deal and 1 vs 100 in development
The US division of Endemol - creator of the likes of Big Brotherand and Deal or No Deal - is targetting casual games development.
The firm has opened a division to produce web games based on the US versions of Deal or No Deal and 1 vs 100.
Eric LaVanchy, previously founder and vice president of creative development for New York-based Bottle Rocket, has been named as director of gaming for Endemol USA.
LaVancy will be looking after the games strategy as part of Endemol's Digital Media division and will develop casual games for new and existing Endemol programming, and also create original games. Although focusing only on the North America market, where he will be appointing a core group of technical, creative and business development staff, he will also work closely with Endemol's London-based games group.
"Our view is that TV and videogames are coming closer and closer together, and the casual games group will be right in that sweet spot," digital media and branded entertainment Jon Vlassopulos told Variety.
In the official announcement Valssopulos added: "With the formation of a casual games group, we have an opportunity to expand our digital media business into a new and exciting growth area where we will create engaging entertainment experiences for fans worldwide."
Comments
“Day 41 in the Big Brother house...”
Posted by: Celine Dion - Feb 27, 3:11pm
1 vs 100?
Anyway, I should imagine there's a massive market for this sort of stuff, though perhaps they've missed the boat a bit? Still, it's a logical move for them.