Impressionware is celebrating its fifth year in business announcing the imminent release of its first handheld console title

The company started in 2003 as a mobile games developer, creating over 35 titles for mobile phones based on some of the best known brands working with all the major publishers.

At the end of 2007 the company successfully transitioned from mobile gaming to hand held console development and struck a multi-title deal with the publisher Slitherine. The first handheld console title born out of this relationships is due for release in Q1 2009.

Iain McNeil, Slitherine’s director of development, said: “We are very happy to be working with Impressionware on a number of projects. Their background in mobile gaming gives them a unique insight into designing the gameplay and user interface and the technical knowhow to make sure games run well on handheld consoles.”

Impressionware is also working with other publishers and is already at work on more projects. In 2009 the company expects to release four further titles. As a reflection on Impressionware’s new focus on console development the number of employee at the Torino based office has doubled since last year and keeps on growing.

Luigi Fumero, Impressionware’s managing director, added: “We are extremely pleased to be able to apply our skills, technology and working practices to new platforms and bigger games. We are delighted with how our new titles are coming along and I am personally very proud of the Impressionware’s team. The collaboration with Slitherine has been wonderful and we hope it will last for a very long time.”

Impressionware will be attending the Game Connection in Lyon where it is keen to talk to potential partners about new projects for 2009 and 2010.