GameHouse Expands Studio After Social Success

Newsbrief: RealNetworks's GameHouse division will expand its operations by opening a new studio in Victoria (Canada) next month and doubling its headcount to at least 45 employees by the end of 2012. The Seattle-headquartered developer says the popularity of its Facebook games like Collapse! Blast and Bayou Blast, which have helped attract a total of 3.7 million users to its Facebook titles each month, prompted these moves. GameHouse previously invested "at least $10 million" in its social gaming initiatives in 2011, and says social game development will be its "number one priority" for 2012. The firm added that its revenues are growing at triple-digit rates. Backstage Games veteran Alex Mendelev will serve as the head and general manager for the new GameHouse Canada studio, which will specialize in making games for Facebook, Google+, and other emerging social platforms.