Funcom has found a new ally in Russia with Innova Systems. The two recently entered into a partnership to bring the Stunlock Studios developed online arena fighter to Russia and all Russian speaking territories with a new localized version. Innova Systems has several other high profile MMORPGs localized to their credit that includes Aion, Lineage II and several others.

Bloodline Champions is a fast-paced arena-based game focused on PvP and boasting to have played host to more than 700,000 gamers. Russia now becomes part of the combat pool thanks to this new agreement.

Check out the full press release after the break for more details.

Bloodline Champions Ready for Russia

- The heralded PvP arena game to release in fully localized Russian version - 

- Innova Systems enters agreement with Funcom

Durham, USA– August 24th, 2011 – Funcom and Innova Systems are pleased to announce the signing of a publishing agreement for a Russian language version of  ‘Bloodline Champions’. According to the agreement, Innova Systems will fully localize and operate  ‘Bloodline Champions’ in Russia and all Russian speaking territories, while Funcom and Stunlock Studios will manage the back-end technology and the ongoing development of new content and gameplay to the game.

“Innova Systems has an impressive track record with online games, and they have done excellent publishing and localization work on other great titles. We believe we have found the perfect publishing partner for  ‘Bloodline Champions’, and we truly look forward to expanding the reach of the game into new markets“, said Lawrence Poe, Funcom’s Director of Publishing.

‘Bloodline Champions’  expands the breadth of the multiplayer arena genre, by combining unique, competitive gameplay with dynamic, action-driven combat. Having helped the e-sports gaming scene in Russia grow, we are happy to provide our players with even more ways to enjoy their favorite experience”, said Gevork Sarkisyan, CEO of Innova Systems. “The combination of Funcom's industry-leading technology and the willingness to bring new experiences to gamers worldwide, as well as our own publishing expertise, will raise the bar for quality and sophistication in competitive online gaming”

‘Bloodline Champions’  launched to great critical acclaim, with both press and players hailing the frenetic and easy-to-learn combat system as a unique and refreshing take on the arena genre. The game pits players into competitive and fast-paced player vs. player battles, where skill and team work are two vital factors for success. More than 700,000 gamers have played the game since the launch in January 2011, and it has also been picked up by several professional e-sport teams.

For more information about the game please visit  www.funcom.com or  www.bloodlinechampions.com  

_ _ _

ABOUT FUNCOM - Funcom is an independent developer and publisher of online games for PC and consoles. Funcom has provided outstanding entertainment since 1993 and continues to expand its track-record of more than twenty released games. Recent titles include ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’, ‘The Longest Journey', 'Anarchy Online' and 'Dreamfall: The Longest Journey'. For corporate information please visit  www.funcom.com. For information about Funcom games visit  www.anarchy-online.com  www.dreamfall.com,  www.fashionworldlive.com,  www.thesecretworld.com or www.ageofconan.com. Funcom is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker FUNCOM. 

ABOUT STUNLOCK STUDIOS – Stunlock Studios was born as the result of a games project at the University of Skövde, Sweden in 2008. Consisting of a small team of likeminded developers, Stunlock brought their first game, Bloodline Champions, from the initial idea in 2008, to launch in 2011. For more information on Stunlock Studios and Bloodline Champions, please visit  www.bloodlinechampions.com

ABOUT INNOVA SYSTEMS- Originally, the pioneer in the Russian online entertainment industry, Innova has taken an active role in developing the domestic MMO games market to the level of leading world trends by bringing high quality services and AAA titles. The company’s portfolio includes several established games such as Aion, Lineage 2, Atlantica Online and other well-known titles enjoyed by players all over the world. Innova provides a full range of game publishing services, from a unified community platform, with over two million active users, to a self-developed anti-hack shield called Frost. With a talented team of nearly two hundred employees, the company aims to bring the Russian online entertainment industry to a new level of quality and to always be one step ahead of expectations.