ESPN to Enter Social Gaming Scene

ESPN Interactive has signed Playdom to develop ESPN-branded sports games, as well as social media platforms. The sports broadcaster also plans to expand its reach into the mobile app market.In the two-year deal, Playdom's first two ESPN titles will launch

April 6, 2018

ESPN Interactive has signed Playdom to develop ESPN-branded sports games, as well as social media platforms. The sports broadcaster also plans to expand its reach into the mobile app market.

In the two-year deal, Playdom's first two ESPN titles will launch this fall. The developer is working on social media platforms for Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. ESPN will also roll out six local-based iPhone and iPad touch apps, which will feature scores and breaking news about teams in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston and Dallas.

"Our deal with Playdom marks ESPN's first major presence in the social gaming space," says Raphael Poplick, vice president, games and revenue strategy and development for ESPN Digital Media, in a statement. "The sports genre for this category of games has gone virtually untapped thus far, and through this agreement, we have an opportunity to be in front of a highly engaged audience and at the forefront of what is currently the fastest-growing games category out there."

Walt Disney is the parent company of ESPN.

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