RealNetworksannounced that it intends to separate its global casual games business into an independent company and distribute shares of the newly created games company to its shareholders.
RealNetworks’ casual games business is a leader in the casual games industry worldwide, with a vertically integrated development, publishing, licensing, distribution and retail business. Casual games are family friendly and easy-to-learn but hard-to-master. Played on personal computers, mobile devices and living room consoles, casual games include board, word and hidden-object games and puzzles. In the first quarter of 2008, RealNetworks’ games business revenue rose 33% from the first quarter of 2007 to $31.8 million. For 2007, games revenue was $108.5 million, up 26% over 2006.
“RealNetworks was a pioneer and has been a leader in the casual games industry since we introduced RealArcade in 2001,” said Rob Glaser, Chairman and CEO of RealNetworks. “We believe that spinning off our casual games business will give it the best opportunity to continue to flourish and lead.”