London NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd today announced the launch of a brand new mobile game based on the hit television show, The X Factor following a deal with FremantleMedia Enterprises, the commercial division of FremantleMedia and licensor of The X Factor brand. The game will be available for UK and ROI mobile gamers to download from all major mobile operators, including Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile, Orange and 3.
“The X Factor is one of television’s crown jewels, with millions of viewers regularly tuning in. As a result, there are very few entertainment brands as visible and appealing, which makes it a perfect brand for creating mobile games,?Esaid Masaji Okubo, Managing Director of NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd. “Mobile games based on TV shows are proven sellers in every country, so such a well-known brand will perfectly compliment the other best selling games in our portfolio.?E/p>
In The X Factor mobile game, players must guide their character through a number of auditions, which take the form of mini games. The mobile game mirrors the look and feel of the TV show, with players being graded on their 'performance' and awarded with popularity points.
Depending on how well they perform, the judges will be supportive or witheringly critical, with the comments swaying the votes of the public. The ultimate aim of the game is to launch a single and get to number one in the charts - but to do so, players will need to keep the judges and the public happy.
The launch of the mobile game in the UK is part of a broader multi-year, multi-territory agreement with FremantleMedia Enterprises, which grants NAMCO BANDAI rights to develop, publish and distribute mobile phone games based on The X Factor television format.
Mark Newton, Executive Vice President, EMEA of FremantleMedia Enterprises?Elicensing division, added: “We are always looking at innovative ways to translate our brands into the multi-media space and mobile is a very important medium for us. We want to offer fans of our shows ways to interact with their favourite brands whenever, wherever and however they want and we’re really pleased to be working with NAMCO BANDAI Networks to create experiences that provide both a much broader and deeper relationship with The X Factor TV show.?E/p>
Local versions of The X Factor have launched in 10 territories to date, with a fourth season of the award-winning show launching tomorrow on ITV in the UK. Mobile games based on television shows have been consistent best sellers, with games based on familiar shows topping the UK’s ELSPA mobile download chart for four months out of the last six.
The X Factor is created by Simon Cowell and co-produced in the UK by his entertainment company, SyCo TV, and talkbackTHAMES, the UK production company owned by FremantleMedia, for ITV.
About NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd.
NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd. is one of the companies comprising the newly formed BANDAI NAMCO Group, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. On 29th September, 2005, BANDAI Co., Ltd and NAMCO LIMITED implemented a management integration to compete more effectively on the global stage in the fast-changing entertainment industry and deliver future growth. The resulting BANDAI NAMCO Group is a global entertainment operation involved in business fields ranging from toys, video game software and visual software to amusement machines & facilities and network content.
More information about NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd, its products and services can be found online at www.namcomobile.com
About FremantleMedia Enterprises
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) is the commercial arm of FremantleMedia and comprises of Fremantle International Distribution (FID), FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW) and Fremantle Home Entertainment (FHE).
FID has a network of international sales offices and licenses over 19,000 hours of programmes to 150 countries worldwide. FID’s programming comes from in-house UK producer, talkbackTHAMES and from an increasing number of independent producers in the UK and internationally. Recent international successes include US ratings-toppers The Apprentice: Donald Trump and The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, hugely successful fashion reality series, Project Runway starring Heidi Klum, exquisite Brook Lapping production Catherine the Great and the music event special, Britney Spears: In the Zone.
FLW is the licensing division of FremantleMedia and exploits the company’s many strong brands including the award winning international format, Idols and the cult children’s classics, Rainbow and DangerMouse, across multiple off-screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, interactive and wireless support and music publishing. FHE is the home entertainment arm of FremantleMedia.
FremantleMedia is one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world, with leading prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programming produced in over 25 territories. International drama programmes include Germany’s top rated serial drama, Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten (Good Times Bad Times), the UK’s most successful police drama, The Bill, and Australia’s top serial drama, Neighbours. The company’s entertainment and factual entertainment hits range from the award winning international format, Idols, broadcast as the prime time show, American Idol, on FOX in the US, to the grime-busting format, How Clean is Your House? and factual entertainment series starring celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, Jamie’s Kitchen, as well as long-running gameshows like The Price Is Right. FremantleMedia is the production business of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. www.fremantlemedia.com
For further information, please contact:
Pramesh Chauhan
NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe Ltd
Head of Business Development
Email: pchauhan@namco.co.uk
