The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) today announced the acquisition of Minds Eye Productions, one of the leading interactive TV game developers in Europe. The agreement demonstrates WDIG’s commitment to the iTV games market and to developing new growth businesses for The Walt Disney Company.
Disney entered the interactive TV games market in the U.K. in August 2004, with the launch of ‘Disney Channel Play’ on Sky. This service provides games featuring some of Disney’s most popular TV programmes, movies and characters, including those from “The Lion King” and “Kim Possible.”
Mark Handler, executive vice president and managing director, Walt Disney Internet Group, International, explained: “Interactive TV gaming is a growing and exciting market, and Minds Eye is the leading U.K. developer. This acquisition allows us to build on our successful Disney branded iTV game service and shows our commitment to this market. We already have a great portfolio of interactive assets in Europe, and Minds Eye is a natural fit with our activities.”
“It is a great move for Minds Eye to become a part of Disney, the greatest family entertainment company in the world,” said Martin Batten, managing director of Minds Eye Productions. “Our employees are delighted to join the Disney family, and look forward to helping Disney expand its interactive TV gaming activities.”
Founded in 1995, Minds Eye Productions employs more than 20 artists, programmers and game designers who specialise in creating high quality games for the growing interactive TV game market. The company has been at the forefront of game development for the Sky Active platform, including developing such games as the interactive TV versions of “Monopoly” and “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.” Furthermore, Minds Eye has also developed the existing games on the Disney Channel Play service on Sky Gamestar, including “Timon and Pumbaa’s Bug Blast,” “Finding Nemo” and “Kim Possible: Robot Frenzy.”
Minds Eye will maintain its offices in Milton Keynes.
About Walt Disney Internet Group
Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) provides strategic leadership and operational management for The Walt Disney Company’s (NYSE:DIS – News) Internet properties, including Disney.co.uk. A market leader in developing and distributing entertainment and informational content to new platforms, WDIG is committed to creating and delivering products for broadband distribution, including Disney Connection and Disney’s ToonTown Online, the world’s first massive muti-player online game for kids disney.co.uk/toontown. Through relationships with some of the world’s largest wireless carriers, WDIG distributes content and services to wireless users under the Disney, ESPN and ABC brands. Additionally, WDIG has led the way in the USA in developing interactive content for televised programming through its Enhanced TV service. Steve Wadsworth is president of WDIG, which is headquartered in North Hollywood and has operations in Seattle, New York, Orlando, Tokyo, London and Budapest.