Open Feint, Fund9 to Pay Developers to Move to Android

Even though the market is starting to favor Android as the go-to mobile OS, a lot of developers are still only making apps for the “other team”. Open Feint and Chinese investor Fund9 have teamed up and now have 100 million dollars allocated to assist in developers’ transitions!

Since Open Feint came to Android back in September they have been welcome into many Android applications, which is good since currently they have no universal achievement or ranking system. Some developers like Chillingo have seen the light on their own already. I’m sure this monetary push will help them along nicely. Checkout the official press release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OpenFeint Partners with The9 To Select Game Developers to Move to Android, Backed by $100 Million Fund9

Burlingame, Calif. – March 09, 2011 – OpenFeint, the leading cross platform social gaming network, and The9, an online game operator and developer in China, today announced a new way for top game developers to help fund their move to Android. The initiative is backed by the $100 million Fund9, a Chinese-based mobile internet development fund. OpenFeint and The9 will review and select top games and will fund their port to Android and OpenFeint integration. The companies will also pick select games to expand to China and willfacilitate their localization.

Games will be chosen based on the quality of the game, past download performance in other app stores, and the strength of the game developer. Interested developers should email [email protected] to express interest and learn more about the opportunity.

“We launched on Android to bring gamers great content. We’ve already helped launch 250 great games, but there’s still work to do,” said Eros Resmini, VP of Marketing at OpenFeint. “There’s a treasure trove of great games on iOS waiting for the rest of the world to discover. This fund will help make that possible for indie game developers.”

The $100 million Fund9 is a Chinese-based development fund that invests in mobile app, game engine, and platform technology developers around the world. Announced last December, the fund is a collaboration amongThe9, China Rock Capital Management, Chengwei Ventures, and China Renaissance K2 Ventures.

“Fund9 is focused on bringing the best mobile apps and platform technologies to China. Our partnership with OpenFeint is a great first step. We are excited to see some great games on Android devices in China soon,” said Chris Shen, Vice President at The9.

OpenFeint is the largest cross platform social gaming network with over 68 million players in 4,800 games. Launched just last September on Android, OpenFeint already has spawned several top 10 Android hits, including Fruit Ninja, Super KO Boxing 2, and Flick Kick Field Goal Kickoff.

The9, established in 1999 as one of the leading game developers and operators in China, has stepped into the mobile internet field and now working with major telecom carriers and application distribution channels in China with high speed growth.

About OpenFeint:

OpenFeint is the largest mobile social gaming ecosystem for all app stores and mobile devices, with over 68 million registered users and a presence in over 4,800 games. OpenFeint is backed by Intel Capital and The9. Developers interested in more information about OpenFeint and its leading mobile social gaming technology should visit http://openfeint.com/developers.

About The9:

The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) is an online game operator and developer in China. The9’s business is primarily focused on developing and operating high-quality games for online game market. The9 directly, or through affiliates, operates licensed MMORPGs and advanced casual games including Soul of The Ultimate Nationâ„¢, Atlantica and Kingdom Heroes 2 Online, as well as its proprietary games World of Fighter and Winning Goal, in mainland China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate other games in mainland China, including Free Realms, Planetside Next and others. In addition, The9 is developing various proprietary games, including Shen Xian Zhuan, FireFall and other MMORPGs and advanced causal games. In 2010, The9 established its Mobile Business Unit and to focus on mobile internet