US-based film studio Lionsgate has formed a strategic partnership with Finland-based game developer Next Games that will involve Lionsgate providing additional funding to the developer.
Next Games raised $6m in series A funding in January from investors including IDG Capital Partners and IDG Ventures, two corporate venturing subsidiaries of data and publishing company IDG, entertainment company AMC Networks and York Ventures.
Peter Levin, Lionsgate’s recently appointed games and digital media specialist and also the co-founder of digital media company Nerdist, will take up the new role of president of interactive ventures and games.
Founded last year by ex-employees of Rovio, Supercell and Disney, Next Games develops free-to-play mobile games, including The Walking Dead spin-off game, created in collaboration with AMC.
“Gaming is a logical next step in extending our content portfolio, and we’re very excited about the potential of our partnership with Next Games,” said Levin. “We see them as a prolific source of the next generation of games, creating exciting and engaging properties based on our franchises as well as new content that we develop together.”