Samsung, EA spice up revenue deals in developer-friendly program

SAN FRANCISCO (REUTERS) - Electronic Arts (EA) Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd have teamed up to draw developers to the Korean giant's fledgling apps store, offering unusually strong financial incentives in hopes of expanding its library of games.

EA's mobile games publishing division, Chillingo, will spearhead 100% Indie, so named since Samsung will let independent developers keep 100 per cent of their revenue for six months, versus the usual 30 per cent cut offered by other platforms like Apple Inc.

The program, which kicks off March 4, is aimed at increasing the edgier indie fare along with more mainstream offerings like big hit Angry Birds, which got its start as an innovative indie-developed game.

After the six months, developers give Samsung a 10 per cent revenue cut and keep the rest.