Develops and publishes match-3 game under global brand MasterChef
The mobile game developer Qiiwi Games (Qiiwi) and Endemol Shine Group (ESG) today announce that they have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to develop and publish one match-3 game for the most successful food entertainment TV programme in the world, MasterChef. MasterChef has been watched by over 300 million people globally, aired in over 200 territories and locally produced in 63 countries and more to come. The collaboration marks the fifth game Qiiwi develops and publishes within the business division "Branded Games" and the first one together with ESG.
About MasterChef
In MasterChef home cooks compete to be crowned the nation’s MasterChef. Challenges range from simple to advanced cooking tasks. The chefs keep competing through different challenges where contestants are eliminated each time until one is finally crowned the winner.
MasterChef is the most travelled food format in the world. To date, 63 countries have launched their own version of the programme and it has been aired in over 200 territories. Since its inception, over 300 million viewers worldwide have tuned in to watch contestants transform their lives through a passion for cooking and the phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down.
MasterChef is the number one food brand on YouTube and has generated over 8.2 billion views across YouTube, Facebook and Instagram which leads to a a highly engaged digital global audience.
About the agreement between Qiiwi and ESG:
Background:
Endemol Shine Group together with owner Banijay maintains the world’s largest international content producer and distributor spanning 22 territories with over 120 production companies and a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 88,000 hours of original standout programming.
Last year Endemol Shine Group developed and distributed formats originating from 12 countries, these included global ‘superbrand’ MasterChef which enjoyed its biggest year to date in 2019.
Great international potential for MasterChef:
MasterChef is an IP where both ESG and Qiiwi see a huge international potential and where the audience of the IP and fans also is expected to fit well into the game design and format selected. This is considered to be a very good starting point for being able to successfully drive large amounts of traffic to the game cost-effectively. Qiiwi and ESG see this as the start of a long-term cooperation.
Details:
Qiiwi will develop, publish, maintain and market the game in cooperation with ESG with a focus on using both traditional user acquisition for mobile games and ESG/MasterChef network channels and social media channels. The companies have agreed a multi-year license deals, with the aim to launch the game internationally in 2021.
CEO Erik Dale Rundberg, Qiiwi, comments:
”We are extremely proud and happy about this addition to our portfolio of Branded Games. We are delighted to have been given the confidence from ESG to develop and publish a match-3 storytelling game for MasterChef, a global entertainment phenomenon that celebrates passion and creativity for cooking.
This follows our strategy and focus within our business division "Branded Games", where we see great potential in creating successful mobile games that can engage and entertain the large global audience that well-known international Brands/IPs have. MasterChef definitely falls into this segment.
With our experience from working with creating games based on famous brands and IPs, we have high expectations that this will be a very successful addition to our portfolio, creating a game experience where we let the player enter the MasterChef competition. With that said, we believe we can create big commercial values and that we have a good possibility to stand out in the market with the game concept for this game.
Our team is now looking forward to be working together with ESG to develop an entertaining world-class mobile game for the MasterChef brand and to be able to reveal more about the project soon!”
Anil Mistry – Director of Gaming & E-Commerce, Endemol Shine Group, comments:
“We are very excited to be partnering with Qiiwi Games on one of our key IP’s in MasterChef. With Qiiwi’s expertise in game development we are confident that the forthcoming MasterChef match-3 game will be a huge success for everyone involved.”
This information is such that Qiiwi Games AB is required to publish in accordance with the EU Market Abuse Regulation (MAR). The information was submitted by the contact person below, for publication on July 30th 2020.
For further information:
Erik Dale Rundberg, CEO, Qiiwi Games AB
Telephone: +46709260697
E-mail: erik@qiiwi.com
About Qiiwi Games AB
Qiiwi Games is a developer of games for mobile platforms such as iOS and Android. The company's current operations started in 2012 and the company has studios in Alingsås, Sweden and Nicosia, Cyprus. Qiiwi focuses on developing mobile games targeting "Casual Gamers" within the genres Match-3, Word/Puzzle and Trivia. The company's slogan is "Adventures for Everyone"
About Endemol Shine Group
Endemol Shine Group together with owner Banijay maintains the world’s largest international content producer and distributor spanning 22 territories with over 120 production companies and a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 88,000 hours of original standout programming.
Last year Endemol Shine Group travelled formats originating from 12 countries, these included global ‘superbrands’ MasterChef which enjoyed its biggest year to date in 2019.
