22.1.2009, Press Release:

Browser MMO game developer Sauma secures EUR 500,000 (USD 685,000) in funding

22.01.2009 Helsinki

Helsinki, Finland - Sauma, the developer and publisher of browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG), announced today that it has secured funding of EUR 500,000 (USD 685,000) from Finnish state agencies Tekes and Finnvera, as well as the Nordic Game Program.

Sauma CEO Andreas von Koskull says “We are very proud of having secured seed funding for our game platform and our first self-published game “Hours of War”, a war simulation strategy MMO game, despite the global finance crisis. This secured funding, our better than expected financial result in 2008, combined with our team’s experience and ability to deliver great games, puts us in an excellent position to grow the company aggressively and successfully in 2009 and beyond.

“Hours of War” MMO, a social network and a rich-media gaming experience, played through the Web browser, will be introduced in early Q1. During 2009 the Sauma team plans to expand the mass-niche war strategy franchise “Hours of War” to other platforms, as well as to develop other game franchises with a focus on a more casual audience.

The business models for the games vary but include free-to-play, monthly subscription, pay per play, micro-transactions as well as advertising revenue models, depending on the game and game audience.

The browser-based MMO game industry is growing rapidly, combining a rich gaming experience with social networks. Browser MMO game portals have reached tens of millions of users. The affordable and fun gaming experience with the ability to play for hours or just minutes, are key drivers for the industry growth. Also the Industry is attracting both seasoned gamers as well as new “casual” gamers.

About Sauma Technologies

Sauma Technologies is focused on developing and distributing browser-based massively multiplayer online games. We are planning to launch our first title called Hours of War (working title) during Q1/2009. Hours of War is a war simulation strategy game that will revolutionize the genre and bring community gaming to an entirely new level.

Over the past four years, our team has developed a unique scalable technology platform in order to deliver games in different genres to the growing EUR 1.6 billion market for massively multiplayer online games. By supporting intense, time-consuming games as well as casual games that are easy to pick up and play, the platform enables us to develop games that target both hardcore and casual gamers.

We are based in downtown Helsinki, Finland.

More information:

http://www.saumatechnologies.com

http://www.hoursofwar.com