Disney (DIS) Acquires Casual Game Startup Rocketpack

Disney (NYSE:DIS) has acquired little-known, and recently-launched startup Rocketpack, which builds casual games using HTML5. The company is based in Helsinki.

Rocketpack announced that "through a merger agreement, Rocketpack is now a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, reporting into the Disney Interactive Media Group."

The company identifies itself an "integrated solution for plugin-free browser game development."

Rocketpack - with a new, seemingly hot-stuff game development engine that leverages HTML5 and modern web browser built-in code to let consumers play pretty sophisticated casual games directly on a website, no platform required, which Fast Company says "Disney's evidently hoping is that Rocketpack will let it quickly pull together a host of online games that utilize its extensive library of IP and famous cartoon characters, with each game acting as a tiny brand-promoting emissary for the company (just like an ad placement). This, or course, would build brand engagement and other aspects of interactivity that brand managers get excited by. These games should be playable on smartphones of any flavor, on laptops, desktops, tablets and possibly some TVs - making it cheaper and easier for Disney to target more consumers with one PR program."

Disney closed Thursday at $44.07, gaining $0.78, or 1.80 percent.




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