Disney Acquires Mobile Gaming Firm

BURBANK: The Walt Disney Company has acquired Tapulous, a company that develops music games for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

The company, through a merger agreement, now becomes part of Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG). Its founders, CEO Bart Decrem and COO Andrew Lacy and their development team will be joining DIMG’s mobile content group. Decrem and Lacy will lead DIMG’s mobile division, reporting to president Steve Wadsworth.

“Mobile gaming is seeing unprecedented growth and this is the right time to invest to strengthen our position in the mobile business,” said Wadsworth. “In a short time, Bart and Andrew have built Tapulous into a successful and accomplished mobile games developer that’s emerged as one of the most successful companies in the industry. We welcome the Tapulous team to the Disney family and look forward to integrating their popular games into Disney’s offerings.”

“By joining Disney, we will be able to continue to excel in this evolving industry and more quickly realize our vision to lead the mobile, social entertainment revolution,” said Decrem. “With Disney’s powerful breadth of content and heritage in technological innovation, they are the perfect partner for Tapulous. It is a true honor to join the Disney team.”

Tapulous flagship title Tap Tap Revenge has been installed by more than 30 percent of iPhone/iPod touch users.