Red Hat branches out into gaming territory

Linux distributor Red Hat Software is to launch a co branded gaming site with Web entertainment developer, iEntertainment Network (IEN).

The pact will enable Red Hat's home page to feature the 'Geek Games' site which contains a number of computer games as well as Linux gaming news updates.

IEN will also begin to develop games using Red Hat Linux.

Dave Murray, IEN's vice president of marketing, said: "We are moving into the Linux market," adding that the company had been discussing the idea for the past two months.

"Red Hat is an obvious choice because it is a leader in the open source movement and we are creating an entertainment content site for them. It's very smart to add to their overall mix of products," he said.

Murray explained that the agreement is the next logical step for IEN after creating a similar site for Time Warner's online entertainment site, AT&T Worldnet's Game Hub and Earthlink's game arena.

"If things work out with Red Hat we will reach the majority of customers we want to reach," he said, adding that the key element the company looks for in partners "is the ability to take us to a large audience and the right kind of audience."

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Earlier this week, Red Hat announced that Salon.com will become a premier partner of its recently launched news site. Under the agreement, Red Hat's Wide Open News service will include news and commentary from Salon Technology, one of the ten sites on the Salon.com network. Red Hat's news site was launched as a resource for those interested in the ongoing free software story.