BBC to publish games with 6waves as the Brits invade Facebook

BBC Worldwide is announcing a partnership with social games publisher 6waves today to publish BBC-branded games on Facebook and other platforms.

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The Los Angeles, Calif.-based BBC division, BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games unit, will use 6waves’ successful publishing platform to launch a number of new titles. These include the first-ever Top Gear social game on Facebook. That title will allow fans of the world’s biggest car entertainment show to compete in stunt-filled races.

Fans will recognize vehicles from the UK Top Gear show and be able to customize and collect cars, build their own tracks, and challenge friends to beat their best finish times.

“With Facebook’s global platform and user reach, it’s a natural fit to extend BBC’s IP to social games that can enrich experiences and connections for our fans and their friends,” said Robert Nashak, executive vice president of BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games. “6waves was an obvious partner because of the company’s track record of driving success for the developers and brands it works with.”

6waves, based in Hong Kong with operations in San Francisco, merged last year with social game publisher Lolapps. But the company recently made a decision to focus on its third-party publishing program and mobile game development. As a result, it shut down most of the Lolapps internal development team. After that happened, senior executives of Lolapps resigned.

“BBC Worldwide has made tremendous strides in expanding its brands to consumers through interactive channels,” said Jim Ying, SVP of Platform at 6waves. “Social games are a successful way to connect consumers directly with brands they love; we couldn’t be happier to be partnered with BBC in this step in their digital strategy.”

In addition to Top Gear, 6waves will also publish the BBC’s Jane Austen’s Rogues & Romance. Set to arrive in spring 2012 and developed in partnership with Legacy Interactive, Jane Austen’s Rogues & Romance will recreate the world of her novels. Additional games will follow.