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OpenFeint and The9 partner up to launch fund to aid Android ports

Also offers developers a route into China

OpenFeint and The9 partner up to launch fund to aid Android ports
Such is the strength of OpenFeint's advocacy of Android, you might expect the company to be charging Google a promotion's fee.

The games network's latest venture sees it partnering up with its strategic investor Chinese online gaming specialist The9 to launch a development fund for studios looking to port their titles to Google's OS.

Fund fuel

Tapping into The9's pre-existing $100 million strong Fund9 – which invests in mobile apps, engines and developers worldwide – both parties will review and select games based on quality, past download performance on other platforms and the strength of the developer and held fund their transition to Android.

"We've already helped launch 250 great games, but there’s still work to do," said OpenFeint's VP of marketing Eros Resmini.

"There's a treasure trove of great games on iOS waiting for the rest of the world to discover. This fund will help make that possible for indie game developers."

Big in China

Developers who pick up funding will also benefit from a route to market in China, with both OpenFeint and The9 facilitating the title's localisation.

"Fund9 is focused on bringing the best mobile apps and platform technologies to China," added The9 VP Chris Shen.

"Our partnership with OpenFeint is a great first step. We are excited to see some great games on Android devices in China soon."

The fund is the first time both companies have openly worked with each other, following The9's $4 million investment in OpenFeint back in July 2010.

Developers interested in applying should contact OpenFeint via androidfund [at] openfeint [dot] com.

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.