EA gets Hands On in Korea

Electronic Arts has agreed to acquire the assets of Hands-On Mobile Korea, a mobile developer best known for its Heroes Lore mobile role-playing game.

Hands-On Mobile Korea is a subsidiary of US-based Hands-On Mobile.

On completion of the acquisition, the former Hands-On Mobile Korea team will become EA Mobile Korea.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed by the end of this fiscal quarter.

Hands-On Mobile Korea will continue to be managed by Gilbert Kim as head of the EA Mobile Korea division.

The studio will remain in Korea with growth planned for the development and publishing teams, and will work within the management structure of the EA Mobile Asia Publishing organisation.

"This acquisition is a major milestone in growing our mobile business in Asia," said Barry Cottle, senior vice president and general manager at EA Mobile.

Kim, who will become head of EA Mobile, Korea Division, added: "Korea is one of the most ubiquitous entertainment markets in the world."

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but EA indicated that it does not expect the deal to impact the company's fiscal 2009 financial guidance.