Sorrent

Former EA Developers Launch Game Publisher D2C Games

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 1, 2007 - 4:45pm.

San Mateo, Calif. - Former Electronic Arts developers Bart Besseling and Scott Orr -- also the founder of mobile games firm Sorrent -- on Thursday announced the launch of their new game publishing company, D2C Games. Funded by Rubicon Venture Partners and 755 Capital Partners, the San Mateo, Calif.-based company plans to sell games, as well as episodic digital comic books, direct to consumers. Upcoming releases include "Chalkboard Sports" and "Strange Cases," a multi-format collaboration with comic book writer Steve Niles set to launch as an episodic game in 2008.

Mobile Entertainment Firms Sorrent, Macrospace Merge to Form Glu Mobile

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 2, 2005 - 3:05am.

San Diego -- California-based mobile entertainment publisher Sorrent and U.K.-based technology provider and mobile game studio Macrospace announced on Thursday that they have merged their brands to form a new company, Glu Mobile. The combined company will offer more than 100 original and branded titles, including games like "DRIV3R," "Deer Hunter" and "Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Mobile," and video clips from Cartoon Network, Fox Sports and Celador International. "Glu Mobile is the culmination of two world-class publishers coming together under a single global identity," said Glu Mobile president and CEO Greg Ballard. "The mobile entertainment market has evolved tremendously in the past few years, yet it's still early in consumer adoption and understanding, making the time right to launch a new brand."

tags: Glu Mobile | Mobile Entertainment | Sorrent | Macrospace |

Mobile Game Publisher Sorrent Raises $20 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 3, 2005 - 10:35am.

San Mateo, Calif. -- Mobile entertainment publisher Sorrent announced on Tuesday that it has raised $20 million in its fourth round of venture capital financing. Granite Global Ventures led the investment round; previous investors BA Venture Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Globespan Capital Partners and Sienna Ventures also participated. Founded in 2001, San Mateo, Calif.-based Sorrent has to date raised a total of $50 million and published mobile games through relationships with Atari, Viacom, Cartoon Network and Twentieth Century Fox. The company will use the funds to expand into international markets, and also to expand its portfolio beyond games into other mobile entertainment segments.

tags: VC | Mobile Game | Sorrent |

Mobile Entertainment Publisher Sorrent Acquires Developer Macrospace

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 1, 2004 - 5:06am.

San Mateo, Calif. -- Mobile entertainment publisher Sorrent announced on Wednesday that it has acquired London-based mobile game developer Macrospace. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, although San Mateo, Calif.-based Sorrent said Macrospace will maintain its management team and London offices. Macrospace has created more than 40 mobile games, including "Fatal Force: Earth Assault," for clients including Cartoon Network, Eidos, Square Enix and Celador International. It also offers a service called ProvisionX that provides managed mobile game distribution for wireless carriers and media companies. "Their exceptional management team, innovative portfolio of games, and extraordinary technology and distribution significantly enhances our position in Europe and will be a substantial asset to Sorrent," said Sorrent CEO Greg Ballard.

Mobile Entertainment Publisher Sorrent Raises $20 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 29, 2004 - 4:06am.

San Mateo, Calif. -- Mobile entertainment publisher Sorrent announced on Thursday that it has raised $20 million in its third round of venture capital financing. BA Venture Partners led the investment round; previous investors New Enterprise Associates, Globespan Capital Partners and Sienna Ventures also participated. San Mateo, Calif.-based Sorrent develops games for cell phones, and has partnerships with companies including Atari, Fox Sports Interactive Media and Viacom. The company will use the funds to expand its global reach and distribution. Separately, Sorrent announced that it has signed a direct publishing agreement with Korean telco SK Telecom.

tags: VC | Mobile Entertainment | Sorrent |