Casual games developer Beanbag Studios has acquired exclusive international rights to develop games based on the hit For Dummies series of how-to books.
The studio will begin the series with Sudoku For Dummies 2008 and Poker For Dummies 2008, which will be available digitally later this year with a regular retail release coming at some point in the future, followed by nearly 20 more For Dummies games by the end of 2008. The company plans on releasing new versions of Sudoku For Dummies, based on the multi-million-selling book of the same name, annually for each year of the agreement.
Games in the series will emphasize learning, practicing and playing, featuring simple exercises with easy instructions to help gamers acquire the skills necessary to play well. Experienced players will also be able to sharpen their skills with with mini-games aimed at more advanced gamers. The games will be rounded out with top-notch graphics, music and sound effects.
“The casual game segment is by far the fastest growing sector of the games industry,” said Beanbag President Steve Bergenholtz. “The increase has been so tremendous in the past couple of year, casual games now outsell hardcore titles costing many millions to develop. Since we are making games for the masses, our goals and the famous For Dummies brand are a perfect match.”
First appearing in 1991, Dos For Dummies was the first book in what would become the For Dummies series, which has grown to cover over 1,000 individual topics with more than 170 million copies in print worldwide.
