--Launches Multiplayer Gaming Engine, Opens US Office
Accedo Broadband, an aggregator and distributor of interactive TV applications and content for IPTV and broadband-connected consumer electronics devices (note: the company, which was founded by telecom and media entrepreneurs, Michael Lantz and Fredrik Andersson, offers a range of applications, including game, quiz, puzzle, video art, karaoke, weather, communications and user-generated content apps; earlier this year, it signed a deal to provide its "Funspot" games package to UK incumbent telco BT's recently launched IPTV service, BT Vision), says that it has integrated a range of games, karaoke apps, video art and other interactive applications and content from its Accedo Application Portfolio with Amino Communications' HD-enabled AmiNET130 IPTV set-top box. "We believe that high-definition services will be an important driver for the future IPTV market," Accedo's Andersson, who currently serves as the company's VP of business development, said in a prepared statement. "We are pleased to be working with Amino to create a set of interactive entertainment services that can help telecom operators in their quest for service differentiation and incremental revenue. The integration process with AmiNET130 has been very smooth and we will continue to add additional services to our HD line-up for Amino." Added Amino VP and general manager, Roy Kirsopp: "Amino is keen to promote the broad IP capabilities of its products, and our relationship with Accedo is an ideal vehicle for this. The Accedo Application Portfolio, based on standard Web technology and including the first IPTV games to use HD graphics, provides a perfect example of the extended service and revenue possibilities created by IPTV."
In other Accedo Broadband news:
- At the IBC show in Amsterdam last month, the company launched the Accedo Multiplayer Gaming Engine for IPTV. According to the company, the engine allows users to interact with one another both within a network and between multiple networks in one or more countries. "Multiplayer gaming is something that was previously predominantly available with PC and console gaming, but thanks to IP technology, will now be available for a TV audience," Accedo's Lantz, who serves as the company's CEO, said in a prepared statement. "Casual gaming on the TV has already proved to be very popular, and with the addition of the Accedo Multiplayer Gaming Engine, it is our firm belief that usage will grow considerably faster." Accedo's IBC demo of the new gaming engine saw it delivering IPTV games in high-definition.
- The company has signed a deal to offer its games on UK-based Inuk's Freewire IPTV service (see article in this issue).
- The company has signed a deal with DivX to integrate its Funspot games and gaming services into the latter's DivX Connected platform. DivX Connected is billed as an easy-to-use open platform that allows consumers to access PC- and Internet-based media and services through a range of consumer electronics devices. The first DivX Connected devices from consumer electronics manufacturers are slated for availability in retail during the current quarter. "Funspot from Accedo is a very powerful proposition for interactive games in front of the TV," Accedo's Lantz said in a prepared statement. "By integrating our offering with DivX Connected we are expanding the audience for such broadband-enabled services that successfully use remote control interaction and a user interface suited for '10-foot viewing.' The openness and sophistication of the user experience delivered by the DivX Connected platform makes for a seamless integration of the offerings from Accedo. We are sure Connected owners are going to love to play our Funspot games"
- The company has opened up a US office in the San Francisco Bay Area in order to support what it says is its "rapidly growing" North American business (note: its other offices are in Sweden and the UK). The office is headed up by Tim Beloney, who holds the title, VP of sales and business development for North America. "We believe that the US market will go through a period of tremendous growth both within telco-driven IPTV and new Internet TV initiatives gradually moving towards a 10-foot TV experience," Accedo's Lantz said in a prepared statement. "With existing clients located worldwide, it was a natural step to expand our operations to better service their needs, as well as those of potential customers. Accedo also has a number of business partners in the US which we will work more closely with for new opportunities in North America."
Originally Published: October 12, 2007 in [itvt] Issue 7.39 Part 2B
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