Tradewest and Black Bean forge partnership

Games from Italian publisher Black Bean will be released in the UK via up-and-coming firm Tradewest, MCV can reveal.

The new publisher label, founded by Martin Spiess following the collapse of Midway’s European operation, has been chosen to distribute Black Bean’s games in the UK and France.

All of the Italian firm’s 2010 games will be sold into retail and marketed by Tradewest.

We’re delighted to announce our distribution partnership with Black Bean Games for two of the most important markets in Europe,” said Spiess.

Black Bean Games provides an outstanding portfolio of products that addresses a broad audience from casual to core gamers. Black Bean Games has a long history of delivering quality product. Combined with our team’s longtime distribution and marketing expertise we’re confident that our partnership will greatly benefit both Black Bean Games and Tradewest Games for years to come.”

Titles covered by the agreement include console and PC racer Superstars V8 Next Challenge in February, Wii title NewU Fitness First – Mind, Body, Yoga & Pilates in March, multiplayer game NatGeo Quiz Wild Life in April and console and PC motorbike sim SBK X in May.

The pair are also handling the return of the WRC to games – the new title hits PS3, 360 and PC in Q4.

The distribution deal with Tradewest Games for the UK and French market marks an important step forward in the international strategy of Black Bean Games,” said Virgilio Bixio, CEO of Black Bean.

We were impressed by the cooperation and the enthusiasm of the marketing and sales team. The group at Tradewest has all the skills and the experience to launch our original franchises successfully in UK as well as in France.”