RealNetworks debuts social gaming platform

Digital entertainment services firm RealNetworks announced the launch of GameHouse Fusion, a social gaming platform spanning across multiple social websites and mobile devices including Facebook, MySpace, iPhone, iPad, and Android. According to RealNetworks, GameHouse Fusion integrates social, online, download and mobile gameplay, promising access to thousands of connected games--highlights include multiplayer gaming and live chat between networks, a centralized virtual economy that works across platforms, and community features like high scores, notifications and news feeds. RealNetworks adds that the GameHouse Fusion SDK enables developers to publish their game once for distribution to popular PC gaming portals as well as all the leading social sites--SDKs for BREW and Brew MP will follow in the third quarter, with support for iPhone, Android and other mobile phones and web-connected devices coming later this year.

In related RealNetworks news, the firm reported first quarter revenues of $128.6 million, down 9 percent from $140.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Net income was $3.2 million, or 5 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $12.1 million, or 10 cents per share a year ago. Real said its Q1 results were boosted by a one-time $2.6 million tax benefit along with a $10.9 million restructuring gain related to the spinoff of its Rhapsody music service. Real added that looking ahead to the second quarter, it expects overall revenue to decline slightly both year-over-year and sequentially. 

For more on GameHouse Fusion:
- read this release

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