A user base of 6 million and over 6,000 games about to be harnessed.
Tulip Computers, a Dutch company which now owns the Commodore name, plans to relaunch the brand in order to capitalize on the fact that the system has obtained cult status. A variety of emulators, the latest one running on a PDA, have kept the system alive, while an immense selection of sites will educate even the most computer-ignorant person on every aspect of the, now, legendary C64.
Tulip will receive a license fee for all Commodore C64 products delivered by Ironstone Partners Inc., installed on all computer brands using the Microsoft or any other operating system and all Commodore 64 branded products. In addition, Tulip will receive a license fee over the revenue from software downloads, subscriptions and advertising.
Even today there is still an extensive group of about 6 million loyal Commodore users and enthusiasts around the world. This community is currently spread over hundreds of unofficial websites. Apparently, the community craves acknowledgement and authenticity from the true Commodore C64 brand. Through this partnership Tulip grants to Ironstone the exclusive rights to exploit the official Commodore C64 web-portal and use of the Commodore 64 brand name.
Ironstone and Tulip invite the Commodore community to join the official Commodore C64 web-portal. Currently there are about 300 commercial websites that use the name Commodore or Commodore 64 without having a license from Tulip. Tulip will not allow unauthorised use of the Commodore brand.
In this partnership, Ironstone will create the official Commodore C64 games and community portal designed to focus and harness the power of the Commodore C64 user base and to efficiently provide the services required by these individuals for a fee. The founders of Ironstone are experienced and successful, in previous similar projects Ironstone achieved a subscriber to pay subscriber conversion rate that was unparalleled in the Internet space.
The main objective of the Ironstone official C64 portal is to unite this massive global fan base of passionate enthusiasts. Through its web portal, Ironstone will market the official C64 emulator in various software and hardware formats. The games offered by the Ironstone web-portal will include the famous classic C64 games as well as exciting new games and will also sell its Commodore-branded products through the site.
Tulip will get full access to the estimated 6 million users and will also sell its Commodore branded products through this portal. Tulip will introduce, the upcoming months, new hardware products under the Commodore brand name, being able to use the C64 emulator.
According to Bjorn Bruggeman, Brand Manager Commodore: Through strategic partnerships we're creating a web of Commodore partner companies. Each partner, or licensee, is selected on his unique expertise and will focus on a specific market segment within the Commodore strategy. The synergy advantages are huge. The license agreement with Ironstone is an important step in this process and will enable Tulip to enter a complete new era with almost unlimited e-commerce opportunities.
Darren Melbourne, Creative Director, Ironstone Partners commented, The license deal with Tulip is a huge breakthrough for the millions of C64 enthusiasts and retro gamers around the world who are still loyal to this incredible games system. Ironstone is committed to bringing this technology and games library back to prominence on every platform available to us.
Commodore C64 facts and figures
-The C64 is the biggest selling home computer in world history.
-The C64 has an unparalleled heritage as a groundbreaking games and home use PC.
-The C64's role in the evolution of the modern games industry was incredible powerful and the echoes of its influence still reverberate through the industry today.
-Even today there is still an extensive group of about 6 million loyal Commodore users and enthusiasts around the world.
-A countless number of hobbyists and Commodore enthusiast have kept the community alive. An Internet search on Commodore is still good for about 50,000 hits.
-Currently there are about 300 commercial websites that use the name Commodore or Commodore 64.
-Over 6000 games have been created for the C64.
-The brand awareness of the Commodore logo is still one of highest in the industry