CARY, N.C. and LOS ALTOS, Calif., May 31, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North Carolina-based game studio and technology provider, Icarus Studios, and Silicon Valley-based game studio, Zabu Studio, today announced a signed agreement to combine the two companies to create MFV, majority owned by leading entertainment conglomerate, National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA). The merger forms the world's most innovative development studio dedicated to combining physical merchandise with interactive technology on new platforms.
As a result of the merger and combination of both studios' seasoned teams with NECA/WizKids' extensive catalog of intellectual properties, MFV's portfolio, assets and capabilities position the new company to lead the way in the growing market integrating physical products with interactive content.
Icarus Studios, led by games veteran Phil Hall, CEO, has developed and published several leading MMO, social and mobile games since 2001, including the award-winning MMO, Fallen Earth, acquired in 2011 by K2 Networks, using the studios' proprietary game engine and tool suite, the xScape Platform.
Zabu Studio, founded in 2010 by industry veterans, led by CEO Milton Soong, specializes in next-generation social and mobile games, taking well-known board and card games from the physical world to the digital.
"The formation of MFV creates a very strong alliance, combining a veteran team with cutting edge technology and intellectual property licenses," said Soong, CEO at MFV. "MFV is ready to take gaming into new directions, focusing on physical product tie-ins, emerging technology and cross platform integration."
In addition to NECA's diverse gamut of licenses, WizKids Games, also majority owned by NECA and led by Justin Ziran, President, provides further properties, with popular hobby games such as HeroClix, Quarriors! and MageKnight.
MFV will continue operations in their California office, with headquarters in Cary, North Carolina. The company's first announced project is HeroClix TabApp™, an extension of the HeroClix Online platform designed specifically for iPad.
For more information on MFV, visit mfv.icarusstudios.com.
Visit MFV on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
Visit NECA/Wizkids at Licensing Expo 2012, June 12-14 in Las Vegas, NV. To discuss business opportunities or schedule an appointment to meet in person, please contact shannonp@necaonline.com.
About MFV
MFV is the world's most innovative development studio dedicated to merging physical merchandise with interactive technology. MFV combines an extensive catalog of intellectual properties, proprietary game development engine, xScape Platform, and veteran team with offices in Los Altos, CA and Cary, NC.
The MFV logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13101
About NECA, INC.
NECA Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company in the United States and Internationally. It now operates in three segments: Consumer Products, Filmed Entertainment and Online Retailing/Digital Distribution. The Consumer products segment is a leading manufacturer and distributor of Entertainment related products, dominating the specialty market. Utilizing its position, NECA has for many years worked with its IP partners to ensure maximum success in movie, DVD and game role-outs. The filmed entertainment segment is investing in existing and producing and distributing new theatrical projects that will benefit from NECA's unique and proprietary distribution model. The online retailing/digital distribution segment leverages NECA's properties and brands to extend our reach while providing an immersive, cross platform entertainment experience through subscription and individual transaction models.
About Wizkids/NECA, Inc.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Entertainment Collectibles Association Inc. (NECA), WizKids/NECA is a New Jersey-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating games driven by imagination. The HeroClix brand is the most successful collectible miniatures games on the market today, with over 250 million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.