New mobile publisher Rocket Dog takes off

A new publisher specialising in high quality mobile games has been launched by industry veterans with backgrounds at Digital Bridges and DMA Design, with new firm Rocket Dog setting high ambitions in the wireless space.

"For mobile gaming to reach its full potential there is going to have to be a much greater focus on quality of content," argues Rocket Dog CEO Kevin Bradshaw, who was the founder of mobile content specialist Digital Bridges. The new publisher aims to become the first "mark of quality" in the mobile space, publishing quality titles under its own brand through a global distribution network.

"At the moment, many of the major channels are providing huge numbers of very average or low-quality games," explains Bradshaw, "and the consumer has no way to find out what the game is like before they choose to buy it. It's commercial suicide. One bad experience and a player is much less likely to come back for more."

The team formed at Rocket Dog to turn this situation around is one with significant experience in the mobile and videogames industry. Aside from Bradshaw himself, the company's top executive is COO Jim Woods, who was formerly development director of legendary studio DMA Design (now Rockstar North).

Also taking up senior roles at Rocket Dog are Julian Jones (VP Business Development) who launched the TX1 mobile gaming TV channel in 2002 and founded the mobile games consultancy Zing; Paul Comben (VP Licensing) who was formerly licensing manager with Digital Bridges and has worked on franchises including FIFA Football, Scooby-Doo and Tiger Woods; and Brian Baglow (VP Marketing) who was formerly communications manager at Digital Bridges, "chief propaganda officer" for DMA Design, and UK PR manager for Take 2 and Rockstar.

"Establishing a global distribution channel and creating the means to effectively market individual titles will give Rocket Dog a unique advantage in establishing presence in the market," according to COO Jim Woods. "As the worldwide market for mobile games grows, the reputation and credibility of a brand such as Rocket Dog will be a very significant asset to developers and consumers alike."

The company has already signed distribution deals in a number of territories, and is working with several development studios. It hopes to announce specific details of distribution and development deals in the coming months.