World Poker Tour Enterprises, Inc. announced this week that it has
reached an agreement with the Silicon Valley software development
company CyberArts to provide technology and software for re-launching
WPTE's online gaming business.
"This relationship will make it possible for us get to market
faster with a superior product," said Steve Lipscomb, founder
and CEO of WPTE. "Now, like most companies that have been successful
in the online gaming space, we will be able to build a unique offering
and control our own destiny. We have been searching for a powerful
alternative to our current technology for some time and are convinced
that this is the perfect solution."
CyberArts developed the software that currently powers the poker room
for Mansion.com, and has a solid track record in pioneering Internet
gaming technology, with a ten-year history of developing and operating
GamesGrid, the world's first graphical online backgammon club.
CyberArts claims that it has built a ground-breaking platform to support
the next generation of online gaming. The company has customized its
unique platform for sophisticated marketers requiring strong branding
capabilities, flexible and innovative functionality, and support for
multiple languages and currencies.
Chris Derossi, co-founder and CEO of CyberArts explains, "We
are very excited about the prospect of providing the product that
can take the WPT's online poker offering to the next level. We believe
our Foundation Software, coupled with WPT's innovation and commitment
to the poker player will create an unmatched gaming site."
Derossi is known in the poker world as the co-author of "Winning
at Internet Poker for Dummies," one of the popular titles from
the " ... for Dummies" series. He has more than 20 years
of leadership at top technology companies including Apple Computers,
where he served as chief architect of OS 7 before starting CyberArts.
The project will be managed by the company's co-founders Derossi and
Ken Arnold.
The announcement of the CyberArts software agreement signals a new
phase in the development of WPTE's online gaming business as the company
takes control of its own online gaming operation.
Since February, 2005 the World Poker Tour's online gaming business
has operated under a licensing arrangement with WagerWorks, Inc. The
CyberArts deal will enable WPTE to develop, manage, market and handle
customer service for the online poker business from its own international
headquarters.
During the transition period from WagerWorks to its own software,
WPTE will continue to work with WagerWorks and explore possibilities
for future collaboration. Launch of the new version of the World Poker
Tour's online poker site will be in 2007.
"This deal will finally allow us the opportunity to innovate
the online gaming experience and deliver a product worthy of the World
Poker Tour brand," concluded Lipscomb.