If the launch of PapayaMobile's recent Gateway to China program, which offers western developers a turnkey solution to launch their titles in the Chinese market, was meant to garner support from big names, it appears to be working.

San Francisco based BulkyPix has signed a multi-title deal to bring key releases from its library to PapayaMobile's social network on Android, with a route into the lucrative Chinese market part of the agreement.

Three to start

A total of three games - Saving Private Sheep, A Moon for the Sky, and Hills of Glory: WWII – will be added to Papaya's network initially, with further releases set to follow.

On the other side, as well as implementing Papaya's developer tools – including virtual currency and in-app billing solutions – BulkyPix's releases will also gain access to the Gateway to China programme to help expand the studio's reach.

"Working with Papaya will provide us with access to the Chinese market and localisation services, as well as local knowledge and expertise," said BulkyPix CEO Oliver Pierre.

"Our releases on Papaya will also directly benefit from Papaya's global social network. We're excited about releasing our games to 22 million people that love social mobile games."

Papaya power

For Papaya, the deal is being billed as an example of the kind of relationship the firm is looking to build throughout the industry.

"We're dedicated to continuously expanding the already great content available on the Papaya social network, hence BulkyPix is a natural partner for us," added PapayaMobile CEO Si Shen.

"The Papaya network is an independent platform that developers can use to make their games more social and viral, while optimising monetisation by reaching a worldwide gaming audience."