Cryptologic and NextGen Gaming join forces

DUBLIN, Ireland -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- CryptoLogic Limited, a leading software developer to the global Internet gaming market, has signed an exclusive multi-year agreement with NextGen Gaming, the world's leading independent developer of slot games for the international gambling industry.

Under the deal, CryptoLogic will collaborate with NextGen to develop new branded slot games for the company, and in return, NextGen will provide branded games exclusively to CryptoLogic within the online gaming space. Additionally, the companies will combine their extensive sales and distribution networks to allow CryptoLogic to license these branded games to the world's top online and land-based organisations. Next Gen has existing commercial relationships with a great majority of the top operators and suppliers in the industry.

The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to ensure that branded content providers look no further than CryptoLogic when choosing a partner with whom to take their brands into the online gaming space. This will be achieved by continuing to create the best games in the industry and by ensuring that the games are live at as many top operators as possible.

"For CryptoLogic, this is a most significant and unique strategic partnership – one that gives us new access to one of the industry's broadest, deepest and most successful distribution networks," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President and CEO. "This will allow CryptoLogic to deal with the best brands, develop the best games, and deliver the best experiences to players around the world – whether they're on land or online."

"Branded content in gaming is powerful, because it combines a familiar theme with an exciting new experience," said Matt Davey, CEO of NextGen Gaming. "In selecting CryptoLogic as our Internet gaming software partner for branded content, NextGen has chosen a pioneer, an innovator and a leader. It's a powerful partnership that promises both performance and profitability."

In recent years, CryptoLogic and NextGen have worked together and distinguished themselves with highly successful branded slot games, including titles based on the world-famous Marvel Super Heroes, Street Fighter II, and the highly anticipated King Kong. CryptoLogic has also excelled with casual branded games such as Bejeweled, Cubis, and Jewel Quest. As one element of its new strategy, Cryptologic plans to consolidate its leadership position in this area by aligning with additional content providers to bring the best brands, with the best games to the online gaming market.

"In 2008, CryptoLogic has shown innovation not just with its games, but also with its partnerships," added Justin Thouin, CryptoLogic's Vice President of Product Management and Business Development. "With a partner like NextGen – who knows the industry like very few others, and who has a distribution network like few others – CryptoLogic will take its software to new people and new places. With this agreement, CryptoLogic cements its position as the undisputed leader in the provision of branded content in the online gaming space. We can now offer the best games, and the broadest distribution network with our ability to tap into all of the online and land based partnerships that CryptoLogic and Next Gen have established."