Disney acquires iPhone game hitmaker Tapulous

The Walt Disney Company acquired music game developer Tapulous, the startup behind the bestselling iPhone series Tap Tap Revenge. Financial details were not disclosed. Per terms of the deal, Tapulous is now a wholly owned Disney subsidiary under the umbrella of the media giant's Disney Interactive Media Group--the Tapulous team will join the DIMG mobile content group, with founders Bart Decrem and Andrew Lacy assuming leadership roles within the unit. "Tapulous is going to be at the center of Disney's mobile strategy," Decrem told The New York Times.

More than 30 percent of iPhone and iPod touch users have downloaded the 99-cent Tap Tap Revenge since Tapulous was founded in 2008--late last year, the firm said its sales were approaching $1 million per month, offering evidence that at least some developers can earn a very handsome living via Apple's App Store. In addition to premium downloads, Tap Tap Revenge generates revenue via advertising and in-app music purchases. Its game portfolio also includes Riddim Ribbon and Tap Tap Radiation, the latter a smash on Apple's iPad tablet. Disney is no mobile gaming slouch, either--its Alice in Wonderland Lite, Fairies Fly Lite and JellyCar 2 all top the million download benchmark.

For more on the Disney/Tapulous deal:
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