Jump does deal with Man Utd

Jump Games has announced its move into the European market with a deal to develop games for Manchester United FC.

The company, part of Reliance Entertainment, is a leading Indian developer, and is now expanding into Europe.

Ahead of the Mobile Gaming Forum the company has secured an exclusive global deal to design, develop and distribute mobile games with arguably the most popular football club in the world.

"We're pleased to be moving into a new phase for the business at a time when so much interest is focused on the mobile platform and its development beyond voice revenues," said Jump Games chief executive Salil Bhargava.

"Our experience in creating and distributing quality content in one of the fastest-growing, yet cost-savvy mobile societies in the world puts us in a great position to help brands launch new and exciting content to entertainment-hungry consumers of mobile content in Europe and globally."

Six games will be developed in 2008, with the first to be called Manchester United Word It!, and will be priced at £3.

Commenting on the deal Alex Ferguson, Man Utd team boss, said: "Manchester United, all of us, are delighted in our new arrangement with Jump Games.

"I think it's a fantastic venture. And to all our fans all over the world it's an opportunity to get yourselves involved in it."