by Anton Johan
Mytopia social games development group, owned by Real Dice Inc., has been purchased by online gambling giant, 888 Holdings.
It is believed that 888 paid £8 million for the acquisition, as it seeks to enter the social networking games industry, with an eye to incorporate gambling features through new titles.
The new strategy will enable 888 to offer new social games to its Dragonfish partners, through networks and smartphones.
The CEO of Real Dice, Guy Ben Artzi said that Mytopia would thrive with 888's infrastructure and expertise, also bringing the group new revenue streams.
"This is a very exciting deal for 888," said the Chief Executive Officer of 888, Gigi Levy," and builds on our aim of providing a variety of entertainment destinations where people can enjoy a truly interactive experience on a multitude of platforms."
Levy noted that Mytopia is one of the leading publishers of cross platform social games, offering 888 the opportunity to form an instant footprint in the fast growing social gaming arena.
These would complement 888's core offering, giving the group access to literally millions of players.
"Improvements in mobile technology now mean more people are comfortable using applications on the move, and we expect significant growth in this area," he noted. "The acquisition extends 888's reach and market share in the fast growing social networks and smart mobile devices, such as iPhone and Android powered handsets, and leaves us well positioned to take advantage of this growth."
