EA acquires Hands-On Mobile Korea

News

Stuart O'Brien May 22 2008, 8:58am

Electronics Arts has bought the South Korean arm of games publisher Hands-On Mobile.

EA says the deal will strengthen the presence of its mobile division in Asia and expand its development and publishing teams.

Hands-On Mobile Korea will continue to be managed by Gilbert Kim as head of the EA Mobile, Korea division.

The studio will remain in Korea with growth planned for both the development and publishing teams, and will work within the management structure of the EA Mobile Asia Publishing organisation.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Hands-On Mobile Korea has enjoyed huge success with its Heroes Lore franchise of role playing games - Heroes Lore 2 was the most successful mobile RPG of 2007 in Korea, generating 100,000 downloads in less than a week.

The original game, Heroes Lore: Wind of Soltia, was released by Hands-On Mobile in the US in February.

Barry Cottle, SVP and general manager EA Mobile, said: “Hands-On Mobile Korea brings us a great leadership team, proven studio talent, and outstanding carrier and OEM handset manufacturer relationships.”