Mumbai based game development studio, Reliance owned Paradox Studios has entered into a joint agreement with ICTV for deployment of the Paradox portfolio on the HeadendWare platform.

Under the agreement, ICTV will bring the Paradox portfolio to the HeadendWare content lineup, which already comprises forty of the world's leading interactive content applications. ICTV will also demonstrate Paradox' games, and an array of different applications, on the HeadendWare platform on its booth (hall 3, booth 218) at IBC 2005 Amsterdam in September.

Created by ICTV, Headendware is a platform that enables network operators to deliver interactive content and applications, including animation, high-fidelity audio and full-motion video, to any digital set-top box. The technology uses headend-based processing power and the existing digital plant, helping overcome set-top box and middleware constraints on interactive and media rich content delivery.

"Paradox has a compelling array of Web based interactive multiplayer games that can be deployed seamlessly on our platform" said ICTV President and CEO Jeff Miller. "Our ability to bring their content to any broadband provider, regardless of their set-top box, will enable our customers with yet another way to enhance the iTV lineups they provide to their subscribers."

"ICTV's HeadendWare® platform promises to redefine broadband gaming and provides the optimal link to support our portfolio of multiplayer games. We are excited to be associated with ICTV and believe that this platform is a powerful medium for the expansion of our distribution network," commented Salil Bhargava, Chief Marketing Officer, Paradox Studios Limited.

Salil also elaborated on some other projects underway at Paradox, speaking to Animation 'xpress he said," We pray that the quality of Indian mobile games improve. There are companies that churn out mobile games every week. Currently we are working on FINAL FRONT a 10 player multi player game for the mobile. This is for Singapore based carrier M1 and Nokia. M1 is launching 3G services and the idea is to create content which can make use of the technology"

"Earlier M1 and Nokia had staged a contest which was open to all developers and we are one of the 3 companies which one. While the other 2 are creating applications we are working on the game" he added.

"Locally we have been trying to get programming students interested in gaming. We did the Sun J2Me contest- which was a contest for developers. We offered the game design assets as a download and developers could take the assets and write the code and AI for the game. We have received around 1500 entries, our Quality Assurance team will sift out the 20 best entries for a select panel of judges before they select the best. The winners will be announced next month" he further continued.

"Another great mobile game we are working on is based on Jean Claude Van Damme which will soon be ready for release"concluded Salil.