State-backed exclusive distribution
channel offers copyright protection and new sales opportunities through
Thumbstar Games
Mobile games service provider and publisher,
Thumbstar Games, today announced a landmark deal with Viva Red Limited and
China Telecom, the government run mobile operator, that will provide developers
and publishers access to a vast consumer base whilst maintaining copyright
protection for valuable IPs.
Following today’s announcement, Thumbstar Games has begun
distribution negotiations with mobile games developers and publishers for back
catalogue and future releases on Java and Smartphone platforms.
China Telecom is one of the world’s largest mobile phone operators
with over 130 million subscribers and a growth rate of 3 million users per month.
CEO Gareth Edmondson said, “Our direct partnership with Viva Red
Limited and China Telecom delivers a secure route to a previously unmapped and
unprotected market. The terms of this landmark deal will enable developers
across the globe to leverage existing and future IPs to a content-hungry
audience, with the peace of mind that this state-backed partnership can provide
the necessary copyright protection to encourage further market growth.”
“Thumbstar has secured a new and unique opportunity for all mobile developers
and publishers,” added COO Martin Kitney. “We are actively securing gaming
content for Viva Red Limited, and the process of localization and distribution
will be through the unique platform of 189gameshop. The
service of 189gameshop is jointly supported and maintained by Viva Red Limited
and China Telecom, and we look forward to more detailed discussions with all
interested parties.”
Ends
About Thumbstar Games
Thumbstar is a mobile games service
provider representing more than 150 developers and providing in excess of 3500
titles through channels into 130 markets globally, including the UK and Europe,
S.E. Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and Australasia. Thumbstar originally started
out in 2008 as an aggregator / publisher of mobile games for J2Me, Windows
Mobile, RIM BlackBerry and Symbian. Since then Thumbstar has also moved into
mobile games publishing for iOS and Android and expanded its business offering
to become a digital developer, distributor and publisher of mobile entertainment lifestyle applications,
wallpapers and themes.
About China Telecom
China
Mobile Limited (the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”)
was incorporated in Hong Kong on 3 September 1997. The Company was listed on
the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
Limited (“HKEx” or the “Stock Exchange”) on 22 October 1997 and 23 October
1997, respectively. The Company was admitted as a constituent stock of the Hang
Seng Index in Hong Kong on 27 January 1998. As the leading mobile services
provider in Mainland China, the Group boasts the world’s largest mobile network
and the world’s largest mobile customer base. In 2011, the Company was once
again selected as one of the “FT Global 500” by Financial Times and “The
World’s 2000 Biggest Public Companies” by Forbes magazine, and was again
recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (“DJSI”). The Company
currently has a corporate credit rating of Aa3/Outlook Positive from Moody’s
Investor Service and AA-/Outlook Stable from Standard & Poor’s, equivalent
to China’s sovereign credit rating respectively.
CONTACT
Martin Kitney
Tel +44 (0) 845 126 1363
Mobile +44 (0) 7595 021 504
Email martin.kitney@thumbstar.com
Gareth Edmondson
Tel +44 (0) 845 126 1363
Mobile +44 (0) 7767 472 969
Email gareth.edmondson@thumbstar.com