Sanraa Media launches new facility for animation, gaming

CHENNAI, INDIA: Chennai-based Sanraa Media Ltd, a BSE-listed media technology company, today inaugurated its new state-of-the-art facility at the city’s upscale Perungudi area, heralding the creation of a world class studio with the finest infrastructure for Animation, Gaming and new media technology.

Touted as the country’s only outfit offering the services of a production house, visual effects studio and design firm all rolled in one, Sanraa Media has developed this facility across a sprawling 24,000 Sqft area that can house around 500 people.

The facility was launched by Honorable Minister for Information Technology, Government of Tamil Nadu Dr. Tmt. Poongothai amidst representatives and enthusiasts of Gaming, Animation and Production businesses. British Deputy High Commissioner, Mike Connor was the Guest of Honour at the function.

The launch has further boosted Sanraa Media’s most recent, 2 million-pound co-production deal with Endemol UK PLC, London for the production of the 3D Animated Series -– “The 99”.

The animated series is based on the illustrated comics “The 99”, owned and published by the Teshkeel Media Group, Kuwait. Sanraa Media Ltd is working on the entire production for the 3D Animated Series comprising 26 episodes. The co-production deal also entitles Sanraa Media Limited to the rights of distributing the series in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Srilanka and Thailand. The production that commenced in January this year is likely to go on till October 2010.

Business Head, Endemol, UK, Andy Ward, was also present on the occasion.

Accomplishing itself as a one-stop shop for providing a range of digital and media services attracting national and international clients and the best people to work on them, the new facility is set to pride itself of an eclectic mix of management expertise and animation talent.

With a similar creative studio in Bangalore, the company has already showcased its expertise in Film Production, Graphics, Animation, Web Streaming and Gaming. The new facility will enhance the company’s profile of being one of the biggest and the best-equipped media technology facilities in the country.

Speaking at the launch, Chairman of Sanraa Media, A. Venkataramani said: “Being a listed entity and to give high value return to our investors, we will be continuously looking at expansion through acquisitions and co-productions in India and abroad. We are focusing on companies with strong IP creation base and with excellent international marketing tie ups.”

Sukumar Subramanian, Director Strategy and Planning, Sanraa Media, felt that the existing co-production deals with companies abroad will further position its international services business strongly for the future.

“Sanraa Media is looking at expanding its business by establishing business units in UK and US. It is also in the process of tie-ups with strategic partners in UK for creating new products," he added.

Uma Karthikeyan, Director Business and Operations, Sanraa Media noted: “With a model which focuses on all aspects such as IP Creation, Technology and talent pool creation, Sanraa Media sees a great opportunity for Animation Companies across the world. We have a very unique business model in place and we are looking at achieving a turnover of around 100 crore in the next three to four years.”

eGames cooks up Burger Island for Wii

LANGHORNE, USA: Casual games developer and publisher eGames, Inc. has released Burger Island for Wii. Following the recent launch of Burger Island: Burger Bash on the iPhone, the Wii version, published by Destineer, hit stores on April 28.

"We are pleased to bring the Burger Island franchise to Wii and continue our publishing relationship with Destineer," said eGames Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rich Siporin. "Our partnership with Destineer continues to grow and following the development of Burger Island for the Nintendo DS(tm) and Wii, we look forward to announcing several other projects with them in the very near future."

Introduced by eGames in 2007 as a casual PC game followed by Nintendo DS and iPhone versions, Burger Island represents eGames' initial title developed for the Wii and allows cooperative burger flipping play for the first time. Future Wii projects, including a special version of eGames' fashion-themed time management game Satisfashion, are currently under development.

"Burger Island is a great franchise and we're thrilled to bring it to a new platform," said Destineer CEO Paul Rinde. "Our partners at eGames create compelling titles that work perfectly on a variety of platforms."