DIGITAL RETAILER PROFILES: ZTORM/GMG/GAMERSGATE PERFECT ZTORM
CEO Anders Emblad tells James Batchelor what Swedish digital firm Ztorm hopes to accomplish as part of the Gem Group
UNLIKE many of the other firms found within these pages, Ztorm is strictly a business-to-business outfit. The Swedish firm provides digital distribution tools and content to a variety of publishers and retailers around the world.
It has established strong ties with 78 publishers, granting it access to 2,000 titles. It also handles movies and music. Ztorm was scooped up by retail services provider Gem Group back in January.
“Being acquired by Gem is the one event we are most thrilled with,” says CEO Anders Emblad. “As the interest in digital distribution is enormous, our biggest challenge is expanding geographically and adding content to our catalogue at the required pace of the market.” Being welcomed into the Gem fold will enable Ztorm to expand in brand new ways, making for what Emblad deems will be “a hectic year”.
GREEN LIT FOR SUCCESS
After the UK digital retailer’s international expansion in 2011, James Batchelor asks what’s next for Green Man Gaming
NEWER digital retailers need a strong hook to make them stand out from the competition. For Green Man Gaming, that hook is an aspect of boxed retail most core gamers find very appealing. “We are the only digital distributor to offer customers the ability to trade-in digital PC games,” explains managing director Paul Sulyok. Once customers have completed or tired of their purchase, they can relinquish the rights to their downloaded copy in exchange for credit that can be used against
their next purchase. This can be done via the website or GMG’s Capsule client.
The retailer’s portfolio of around
1,000 games is remarkably varied, ranging from the latest hits like Mass Effect 3to retro gems like its range of Sega Mega Drive titles. Green Man Gaming has been expanding its team over the past twelve months, even recruiting GAME and TweetDeck veterans to its senior management team. Sulyok adds: “We are expanding rapidly and hiring people with the
OPENING THE FLOODGATES
MCV finds out why a new ad-funded free games service and the world’s biggest portfolio of downloadable titles means big things for Gamersgate
GAMERSGATE confidently claims it has the world’s largest catalogue of downloadable PC games: more than 4,000 titles available from over 300 publishers. “We pretty much never say no to a game,” says business developer Gustav Nisser. “We also have the most and, as far as I know, the only developed loyalty system.” This scheme revolves around Gamersgate’s Blue Coins virtual currency, which accumulates with every purchase and frequent
36 March 30th 2012
activity on the site. These can then be used to pay for future titles. Another selling point for the company is its client-free model. Rather than downloading separate software, users just download the game they want directly. This is just one example of how the firm focuses on making it easier for customers to access the titles they want, as is its next venture. “We’re going to be launching Void this summer,” says Nisser. “Void is an ad-financed gaming service that
will let people play retail games completely free of charge, just by watching a couple of ads when the game is launched. “We hope that Void grows to become the immensely popular service we think it can be.” Gamersgate is also exploring projects that will bring the brand to consoles, mobiles and other sectors. In particular, the retailer is keen to establish ties with SmartTV developers and find a way to deliver games directly to living rooms.
[INFO]
Established: 2006 Headcount: 8 (full time) Based: Stockholm, Sweden, with a New York office Key Territories: Europe (particularly UK, Germany, Scandinavia), USA Contact: +46 (0) 761 679 553
www.gamersgate.com
right professional skills and personal attributes who can fit into the culture of Green Man Gaming has proven to be a challenge.” The firm is also seeking new ways to raise its brand awareness and bring its unique offering to a larger audience. Earlier this year, GMG signed a partnership with game streaming company Gaikai, allowing its customers to try before they buy, and a deal with GlobalCharge means users can purchase games via mobile payments.
[INFO]
Established: 2010 Headcount: 20+ Based: Bloomsbury, London Key Territories:
UK, US, Germany, Brazil Contact:
020 7135 2270
www.greenmangaming.co.uk
“We have many exciting plans in the making,” he says. “We are soon ready to launch an API-module for a popular blogging platform, which will allow for a cost effective way to start selling digital products. “We hope that this will appeal to indies wishing to sell their own products with minimum effort.” Emblad says Ztorm hopes to “further expand geographically and continue to develop our offers with our customers and new owners” in 2012.
[INFO]
Established: 2005 Headcount: 15 Based: Stockholm, Sweden Key Territories: Nordic, UK, US, Brazil Contact:
+46 8 5000 46 58
www.ztorm.com
www.mcvuk.com
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