Intel Invests In European Games Provider

MANHASSET, N.Y. — Intel Corp.’s investment arm Intel Capital has joined Innovacom and Alven Capital to invest $7 million (6 million Euros) in Metaboli, a European-based online video games distributor.

The new funding round is expected to help Metaboli accelerate its European expansion.

Formed in 2001 by a group of telecom specialists passionate about video games, Metaboli offer games for download to broadband internet users as a subscription service. The company now has over 25,000 subscribers.

Metaboli has built up partnerships with video game publishers including Atari, Codemasters, DreamCatcher, Eidos, Microsoft Games Studio, THQ and Ubisoft.

For Intel, the move is the company’s latest foray into the fast-growing consumer electronics arena.

"Intel is very excited to be working with Metaboli to provide cutting-edge broadband gaming experiences to the PC, the TV and variety of other digital home devices," said Kevin Corbett, vice president and general manager of the Content Services Group for Intel’s Digital Home Group, in a statement.