Ailing InfoSpace ditches U.S. gaming studio

InfoSpace Inc. continued to consolidate its businesses with the announcement that it will sell off its U.S. gaming studio to Twistbox Entertainment for an undisclosed sum.
Formerly known as Atlas Mobile Inc., the studio was the driving force behind InfoSpace’s Play for Prizes business, a community-based effort that included multiplayer tournaments and subscriber loyalty campaigns. Twistbox plans to continue the effort, launching three new titles and unveiling three more that will be available during the second quarter of this year.
The studio will be integrated into Twistbox Games, which is based in Dortmund, Germany, and titles will be distributed through the company’s channels in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
“This acquisition is a perfect fit for our value-added mobile game strategy, and complimentary to our existing titles and on-deck distribution in over 40 countries,” said Twistbox CEO Ian Aaron.
InfoSpace has been scrambling to streamline its business after a disappointing 2006. The company in November said it would halt investment in its direct-to-consumer business, including the recently launched Moviso storefront, and it is reportedly looking to sell its U.K.-based IOMO Mobile gaming studio.
Earlier this month, InfoSpace announced a restructuring and said it will focus on developing “tools and technologies designed to help users discover content and information while mobile or online.”