Home

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003


December 17, 2007

Venan Featured in Hartford Business Journal

Ninjas are helping to grow a small company in Cromwell, thanks to a recent contract to produce a Nintendo game that is expected to boost the company’s revenues...(read full article)

 

August 22, 2007

Venan to Develop New Nintendo DS™ Title, Ninjatown

Shawnimals' Designer Plush Toys Come to Life in Original Action-Strategy Game Developed By Venan Entertainment

Dallas, TX - August 22, 2007 - SouthPeak Games today announced a new title, Ninjatown, based on the Shawnimals' designer toy line. Ninjatown is being developed for the Nintendo DS™ by Venan Entertainment in conjunction with Cashmere Productions and is scheduled for release in the fall of 2008.

"We are excited to bring the designer toy scene into the world of videogames," said Melanie Mroz, Executive VP of Southpeak. "The cultures of both are already heavily intertwined, and we felt the style of Ninjatown and its fanbase made it a perfect fit for the DS."

A diverse group of fun-loving Ninjas populate the vibrant yet peaceful place known as Ninjatown. However, after the eruption of a nearby volcano, Ninjatown is attacked by hordes of sinister enemies lead by Mr. Demon, who, for reasons unknown, is bent on destruction. It is now time to use each of the Ninjas' unique skills and powers - including the Mighty Wind of Ninja Dropping and Stealth Hugs - to fight off the evil and secure Ninjatown, one district at a time. The game is played from the top down, where the player uses the stylus to strategically place Ninjas to defend each area. The action is non-stop!

"I couldn't be happier to have the opportunity to make a game based on Ninjatown, because all of my creations are heavily influenced by my life playing and working in games," said Shawn Smith, Shawnimals creator and former editor at Electronic Gaming Monthly.

"We've worked closely with Shawn to develop the right game mechanic for the world of Ninjatown, now I look forward to working closely with him and SouthPeak over the next year to make an amazing game for Nintendo DS," added Brandon Curiel, CEO of Venan Entertainment.

See the first trailer for Ninjatown and to find out more about these loveable assassins visit www.ninjatown.com. Ninjatown plush dolls, T-shirts, and buttons are available now at www.shawnimals.com.

About Shawnimals
Shawnimals is a character design studio started in 2002 and is currently focused on developing designer toys with a strong emphasis on imaginative and often humorous narratives. They produce plush toys, collectible vinyl sculptures, apparel and a variety of other types of merchandise, all branded with an off-the-wall, yet lovable, cast of creatures. For more information on Shawnimals, please visit www.shawnimals.com.

About SouthPeak Games
SouthPeak Games, LLC has been publishing and distributing entertainment software since 1996. Recognizing the market need for an independent publisher, SouthPeak is focusing on marketing games from top-notch developers for all popular game platforms. Leveraging its outstanding distribution experience and retail strength, SouthPeak is currently launching new game titles in Europe and North America. For more information on SouthPeak Games, please visit http://www.southpeakgames.com/.

About Venan Entertainment
Venan Entertainment, Inc. is a leading developer in the exploding mobile and handheld market. Founded in 2002, Venan is a veteran of the mobile games space, with fourteen published titles developed for companies including EA Mobile/Jamdat, Hands On, THQ Wireless and Superscape. Whether creating original titles such as our award winning High Seas: Guns and Gold, or developing conversions of AAA brands like EA Sports NBA Live, Venan excels at bringing high-end gameplay down to low-end devices. Venan's corporate headquarters are located in Cromwell, Connecticut and its website is www.venan.com.

About Cashmere Productions
Founded in 2003, Cashmere provides game design and production services for emerging platforms such as mobile, handheld, and online distribution channels. Working with clients such as Warner Music Group, MINI, and Marc Ecko Entertainment, Cashmere has experience creating completely original products as well as brand extensions. While at Take Two's Rockstar division, Cashmere founder Jeremy Pope played a critical role in producing extraordinarily successful games such a Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto III, and Max Payne. For more information, please visit www.cashmereproductions.net.

Nintendo DS is a trademark of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo.

 

July 23, 2007

Venan is Hiring!

Venan is currently looking to fill mid to senior level positions in programming and game design. If you have industry experience, like small teams, don’t like bureaucracy and want to make an impact, then visit our Careers page and submit your resumé.

 

July 18, 2007

Venan Turns Five

It started humbly with a group of five friends working out of a spare bedroom. The lessons we learned were hard at first – the game industry an unforgiving place. But we stuck through it, adapted, and built a company that could stand up on its own. It’s now been five years since this all began and we couldn’t be more proud that Venan is not only still here, but continuing to learn, adapt and grow into that company we all dreamed of back in 2002.

Celebration of this significant milestone would be remiss without taking a moment to remember the one who got this all started, our former president, Phil Taksen. It was his energy, enthusiasm and passion that brought us all together and made Venan a reality. His tragic loss two years ago remains a constant source of sorrow for us all, but knowing how proud he would be to see Venan reach this milestone makes this event even more special for the rest of us.

Happy Fifth Venan!

 

|
|
|
NEWSROOM
|
|
|
|
|
 
©2005-2007 VENAN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. All Rights Reserved