BBC Worldwide invests in HTML5 platform

BBC Worldwide has invested in a HTML5 development platform created by Spaceport.io in the latest funding round for the social games tech company.

Its HTML5 and Flash tool allows users to release apps to be released simultaneously across mobile and web platforms.

The money from backers, which also includes US games incubator YouWeb, is to go towards hiring new staff at Spaceport.io and developing its platform’s HTML5 and Flash compatible performance.

The first project from BBC Worldwide using Spaceport.io is set to release this summer.

“Spaceport is the leading HTML5 game development platform for creating high-performance game applications,” said BBC Worldwide games EVP Robert Nashak.

“This partnership signals our continued support of innovative new businesses like Spaceport.io and will allow fans of BBC Worldwide brands to access to our latest games on a wide variety of platforms and operating systems.”

Spaceport.io chairman Peter Relan added: “We are thrilled with the opportunity to work with a globally-renowned organisation such as BBC Worldwide – whose reach spans 200 countries as well as hundreds of millions of consumers – in order to help leverage their major media properties.”

BBC Worldwide has released around 40 titles through retail and download in the last two years, reportedly selling more than six million units.