14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile games based on the format of TV talent show Idols will be developed by Namco Bandai Networks Europe. In collaboration with FremantleMedia Enterprises, such a concept will soon be available on a large number of mobile phones.
"Idols is one of the biggest television formats in the world, with millions of fans who will soon be able to interact with their favourite show anytime they want", said Masaji Okubo, Managing Director of NAMCO BANDAI Networks Europe. This TV show format looks to find the best young singer in the country after several auditions and performances. The winner is chosen by the viewers, through phone voting. Several celebrities, such as pop star Paula Abdul, have started their career with such televised performances.
"Announcing this deal is a great milestone for Namco Bandai Networks, and it's one which underlines our commitment to be one of the industry's premier games companies", further said Masaji Okubo, Managing Director of Namco Bandai Networks Europe. When this is combined with the high popularity of the Idols TV shows, chances for best results seem to be highly possible. Still, the mobile gaming company has not revealed just how they plan on deploying the TV show's concept into a mobile game, as profitable as that might sound at first.
FremmantleMedia, which will contribute to the release of this game seems to show great consideration for their new partners and trusts their ideas. "Namco Bandai Networks' experience in games development and wide distribution network will ensure that we produce exciting and highly creative gaming experiences that fans of Idols can enjoy the world over", said Mark Newton, Executive Vice President, EMEA of FremantleMedia Enterprises' licensing team.
Television shows have proved to be just as good as PC games for adapting into successful mobile games. Fremantle Media has already sold the Idols concept to more than 40 territories until now, which makes it a highly promising idea for mobile gaming too.