Irdeto ActiveCloak™ makes mobile games protection debut by delivering renewable software security for the world’s largest mobile operator
BEIJING, 14 November 2012 – Building on its success in video content and applications security, Irdeto today announced that China Mobile Games Center (CMGC), the dedicated game operations center of China Mobile, has selected Irdeto ActiveCloak™ to secure games sold and played on Android smartphones within the China Mobile network. Irdeto ActiveCloak is a patented, renewable software security solution already protecting media apps and premium video content for customers such as Comcast, Rogers, Cablevision, Viaplay, Astro and Mediaset. Based on the proven success of ActiveCloak at some of the world’s leading pay TV operators, CMGC turned to Irdeto to protect both the games and their associated business models on the Android platform, including the popular “Try and Buy” billing model in China.
The rising number of smartphone users in China combined with the intense popularity of gaming presents a unique opportunity for CMGC to offer more mobile games across more platforms and devices. The failure to effectively protect games from piracy could potentially result in the loss of game developer support, thereby putting CMGC’s long-term business strategy at risk. It is a commonly held belief that game developers should not have to be security experts, and with ActiveCloak providing security that is completely transparent to developers, they do not have to be. By partnering with Irdeto, CMGC hopes to attract more game developers and provide the best games in the world to their subscribers.
According to a recent report by Analysys International, the number of mobile game players in China will reach 215 million in 2012 and 360 million by 2014. Given the significant growth projected for mobile games and rising popularity of Android devices, CMGC recognized the need to address security on open operating systems, without impacting the user experience of legitimate customers. By deploying ActiveCloak, CMGC can prevent abuse such as copying, cloning, unauthorized access to payment or server-side information, as well as allow publishers and distributors to more fully monetize gaming assets.
“CMGC is demonstrating its commitment to fighting the mobile games piracy cycle by choosing ActiveCloak and establishing an unparalleled protection strategy for its business,” said Graham Kill,CEO of Irdeto. “The mobile games industry must begin to adopt new technologies that respect the legitimate consumer, while blocking and restricting the hackers and criminals. Irdeto has decades of experience helping organizations secure their content and apps from attackers. We understand how to balance performance, user experience and offer a security service in a way that benefits everyone. We are enthusiastic about this new relationship with CMGC and the expansion of ActiveCloak’s capabilities to secure games.”
ActiveCloak provides security for CMGC’s high-value gaming assets in two key areas: the game code itself, and the transactions that take place around it. The first level of security is regarding game protection, which includes intellectual property (IP), integrity and asset protection with patented white-box cryptography technology that prevents reverse engineering and tampering. The second level pertains to business model protection, ensuring that games are protected from un-authorized use such as illegal copying, hijacking or re-packaging.
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About Irdeto
Irdeto is a world leader in content security, management and delivery for pay media companies. Through its innovative conditional access, dynamic monetization and content security technologies, the company allows new forms of distribution for broadcast, broadband and mobile entertainment. Regionally headquartered in Amsterdam, Beijing, and San Francisco, the company employs approximately 1,000 people in 25 locations around the world. Irdeto is a subsidiary of multinational media group Naspers (JSE: NPN). Please visit Irdeto at www.irdeto.com.
About China Mobile Game Center (CMGC)
China Mobile Game Center was created by the China Mobile Group to unify the various aspects of China Mobile’s mobile gaming business, including content introduction, marketing, brand development and business standards, with the central model of “Supporting the Internet with One Touch Point”. China Mobile Game Center continues to be a customer-orientated business that is driven by innovation and integration, and is constantly on the lookout for new areas of growth in the gaming industry. China Mobile Game Center is committed towards becoming a pioneer, innovator and integrator of China’s gaming industry.
For further information, please contact:
Dan Benelisha
Asia Pacific Director, Technology
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Tel: +65 6303 8466
Mobile: +65 9271 5697
Email: danb@waggeneredstrom.com
Katie Judd
Senior Manager, Public and Internal Relations
Irdeto
Tel: +1 415 967 7148
Mobile: +1 603 738 9599
Email: katie.judd@irdeto.com