Unique Cooperation Between Phenomedia and JoWood in the German Entertainment Industry
The venture includes nine games for PC as well as for PS2 and Xbox. Titles include both sequels of past titles and new releases such as Far West.
The two public companies Phenomedia AG (Bochum) and JoWooD Productions Software AG (listed at the Vienna Stock Exchange) signed an agreement today regarding the worldwide distribution of nine games titles. The agreement covers a total of 12 new releases on various different games platforms. Phenomedia will provide content and JoWooD will publish and distribute the products in this unique cooperative venture globally. For both parties this agreement signifies a significant step towards securing future company growth. The cooperative venture is valued at approximately EUR 8.1 million. For JoWooD this ensures further growth and further proof of a turnover potential of EUR 22 million in the next few years.
"This contract confirms our future strategies, which are also reflected in a positive development throughout the current business year.“ commented Markus Scheer, CEO of Phenomedia. Andreas Tobler, CEO of JoWooD: "Phenomedia have already proved in the past that they are capable of producing more than the "Moorhen“ and that they are able to deliver high quality games in the full-price market segment. This agreement is a perfect solution for both partners and so far unique in the history of the German entertainment software industry. For JoWooD this contract means not only confirmation and recognition of the last month’s efforts, but above all an important cover of the future business. Furthermore it proves once again that JoWooD are on their way to becoming a global player in the electronic games industry.“
The nine full-price titles include sequels to the most successful games like The Planner, Cultures and Gothic, as well as new releases such as the western building sim and strategy game Far West, which has already been quoted by a games magazine as ranking among the ten most eagerly awaited games of the coming year. Phenomedia games cover a broad spectrum of game content and appeal to enthusiastic games fans as well as beginners in this fascinating digital world. In excess of 2.5 million copies of the Planner series – a logistics game published in 1994 – have been published so far. The Viking saga Cultures, featuring cute little characters, appealed to many casual gamers as well as hardcore gamers, and 130,000 copies have been sold since last Christmas. The demanding 3D fantasy role playing game Gothic with its more than 200 interlinked games characters is already praised higher than many American top-class titles and quoted as a benchmark of the genre.
According to Scheer, the decision in favour of JoWooD carries both commercial and strategic implications: "Despite the strong interest in our company displayed by many publishers, including some of the bigger players - which we were very pleased about – we opted for JoWooD. The company's size is comparable to that of Phenomedia, which means quick and efficient channels of communication, first-class marketing strategies taking into account the different games characteristics and the will to succeed.“
This contract is more than a simple publishing agreement for JoWooD as well. Andreas Tobler, CEO of JoWooD : "Phenomedia have a product range of outstanding quality, and they bring a perfect addition to our own growing portfolio with the Giant and Nations series. Together we offer the biggest product range of all German games companies on the international market.“
"This contract confirms our future strategies, which are also reflected in a positive development throughout the current business year.“ commented Markus Scheer, CEO of Phenomedia. Andreas Tobler, CEO of JoWooD: "Phenomedia have already proved in the past that they are capable of producing more than the "Moorhen“ and that they are able to deliver high quality games in the full-price market segment. This agreement is a perfect solution for both partners and so far unique in the history of the German entertainment software industry. For JoWooD this contract means not only confirmation and recognition of the last month’s efforts, but above all an important cover of the future business. Furthermore it proves once again that JoWooD are on their way to becoming a global player in the electronic games industry.“
The nine full-price titles include sequels to the most successful games like The Planner, Cultures and Gothic, as well as new releases such as the western building sim and strategy game Far West, which has already been quoted by a games magazine as ranking among the ten most eagerly awaited games of the coming year. Phenomedia games cover a broad spectrum of game content and appeal to enthusiastic games fans as well as beginners in this fascinating digital world. In excess of 2.5 million copies of the Planner series – a logistics game published in 1994 – have been published so far. The Viking saga Cultures, featuring cute little characters, appealed to many casual gamers as well as hardcore gamers, and 130,000 copies have been sold since last Christmas. The demanding 3D fantasy role playing game Gothic with its more than 200 interlinked games characters is already praised higher than many American top-class titles and quoted as a benchmark of the genre.
According to Scheer, the decision in favour of JoWooD carries both commercial and strategic implications: "Despite the strong interest in our company displayed by many publishers, including some of the bigger players - which we were very pleased about – we opted for JoWooD. The company's size is comparable to that of Phenomedia, which means quick and efficient channels of communication, first-class marketing strategies taking into account the different games characteristics and the will to succeed.“
This contract is more than a simple publishing agreement for JoWooD as well. Andreas Tobler, CEO of JoWooD : "Phenomedia have a product range of outstanding quality, and they bring a perfect addition to our own growing portfolio with the Giant and Nations series. Together we offer the biggest product range of all German games companies on the international market.“