An overview of the week in deals in the Irish and global technology sector.
Zynga confirms acquisitions of four mobile gaming companies
Behind the scenes in Q3 2011, Zynga, the chief social game developer for Facebook, bought four mobile game companies, as it strives to ramp up its foothold in the mobile space.
Zynga’s head of mobile operations David Ko confirmed the acquisitions to Reuters, but he declined to comment on the financial details.
The most recent acquisition was in December of the Germany-based Gamedoctors. The game development studio’s first game ZombieSmash is available for iOS devices.
Back in August, Zynga apparently also acquired Page44 Studios, the San Francisco-based video-game developer.
Zynga also acquired the mobile application platform HipLogic in August. The company uses UI design and is based in San Francisco.
The company’s fourth acquisition in Q3 2011 was of the New York-based game studio Astro Ape Studios. This studio has produced mobile social games such as Office Heroes, Desert Heroes and Montsterz Revenge.
20 new jobs for Cork as Dutch company buys OceanModus
Cork manufacturing software company OceanModus has been acquired by Dutch software firm ATS BV for an undisclosed sum.
Some 20 new jobs are to be created over the next three years as the Cork company swoops to capitalise on opportunities in the medical devices and pharmaceuticals industry.
The co-founders of OceanModus Ltd, Desmond Savage and Thomas Wyczawski, will become directors of the new company.
The new entity, ATS Ireland, will develop and deploy manufacturing execution systems (MES) and other technologies for manufacturing.
The company plans to expand its existing presence in Ireland but also achieve export sales through close co-operation with the parent company.
LOVEFiLM signs deal to launch ABC TV on demand in UK
Amazon company LOVEFiLM has joined forces with Disney UK to bring US TV series from ABC Studios to LOVEFiLM UK members.
The subscription video-on-demand service, ABC TV On Demand, will offer LOVEFiLM members on-demand streaming access to ABC Studios’ library of network and cable series.
From this month, series such as Castle, as well as all six seasons of popular TV series Lost, will be available to LOVEFiLM members with streaming packages.
Shows will be launched as full seasons after their first run on UK pay and/or free TV, Amazon said. Previous seasons of some series will even be available to members before the next season airs on UK television.
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