EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

[Shawn Zipay]

Today, Electronic Arts announced that they have acquired J2MSoft Inc. (J2M). J2M typically specializes in free-to-play online games that use micro-transactions and advertisements to cover the costs of development and upkeep.

“This is a significant step in EA’s strategic plan for developing and publishing online games in Asia,” said Jon Niermann, President, EA Asia. “J2M is an experienced team of developers and we can’t wait to have them start creating online games based on new properties and powerful EA franchises.”

“Korean developers have created a unique style of online games that is growing in popularity all over Asia,” said J2M Founder and CEO KyungMin Bang. “We are excited that EA is aligning with our vision for online game. Joining EA presents our team with an opportunity to significantly expand our based with players throughout Asia and around the world as well as to be at the forefront of online gaming.”

EA has launched popular online games in Asia including EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online and NBA STREET Online. Other EA titles in development for online play in Asia include Warhammer®: Age of Reckoning®, Need For Speed and Battlefield Heroes. EA SPORTS FIFA Online debuted in Korea in 2006 and is currently among Korea’s top-ten online games. In the months ahead, EA expects to announce other popular franchises in development for online play in Asia.

The acquisition closed on December 2, 2008. Terms of the agreement were not released. While valuations are not yet complete, EA does not expect the acquisition to have a material impact on its financial results in fiscal 2009.

No games have been announced yet from this new acquisition, but we'll surely keep you "in the know" as announcements are made.

[MrKLM]

Re: EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

what have these guys developed I can't find any information on them around the internet.

[solofowaffles]

Re: EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

One game company to rule them all!Mwhahahahah!!!111!!!

[TheHeartSmasher]

Re: EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

Who is/was J2M, I have never heard either.
But on to the bright side, EA has just added even more talent to their arsenal, hopefully they will use it to their advantage and keep releasing high quality games, and support them for very long periods of time like VALVE.

[Shawn Zipay]

Re: EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

I did a search last night, a quick one, but I couldn't find much on J2M either. All I found were other sites that put up the press release or stuff about some Java. Maybe that's it though. Maybe they picked up the company that develops Java based apps?

I honestly don't know.

[CtrlAltDe1337]

Re: EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

Who is/was J2M, I have never heard either.
But on to the bright side, EA has just added even more talent to their arsenal, hopefully they will use it to their advantage and keep releasing high quality games, and support them for very long periods of time like VALVE.

Is this the same EA that I remember? :P

[TheHeartSmasher]

Re: EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

Is this the same EA that I remember? :P

Yeah, they have been releasing a few High Quality Games lately. Some of their other game were very boring, or just did not live up to player expectations.

[MrKLM]

Re: EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

Found this over at Gamedaily.

J2M is known for creating free-to-play online games, a trend that's increasingly popular not only in Asia but on a global basis. J2M monetizes its games such as RayCity, TAAN, and Debut through micro-transactions and advertising. More properties will be announced in the future, and EA said the developer will create online games based on existing EA franchises in addition to new IP.

I tried to look up those 3 games on Mobygames and Wikipedia nothing on either about them or J2M. Any of our Asian members heard of any of these?

[MrKLM]

Re: EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

Found the J2M website.

http://j2m.co.kr/

They have an english version in the upper right of the screen.

[crossmr]

Re: EA Acquires Korean Game Developer J2M

Apparently they're involved with TAAN which is an overly cute scorched clone
http://blog.naver.com/torgun?Redirec...No=50032118792 (not mine, just found their name associated with it on a search)

and are behind Raycity which is a stunt driving taxi MMORPG. Raycity is actually modeled on real world streets of several neighbourhoods in seoul, including building fronts from about 3 years ago when the game was put out.