‘Tis the season of games: Ngmoco, the SF-based mobile phone games developer focused on iPhone platform, has raised a big $25 million round of funding on its third round. The round was led by Institutional Venture Partners, along with the company’s previous investors, including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Norwest Venture Partners and Maples Investments. The two year-old company founded by former EAer Neil Young has has success in 2009 with games such as Rolando 2, Star Defense, Eliminate Pro and Touch Pets Dogs.
Along with this funding, it has also bought rival gaming firm Freeverse, for an undisclosed amount. The NYC-based company was founded about 15 years, and hit iPhone titles such as Skee-Ball, Moto Chaser, Flick Fishing, SlotZ Racer, Flick Bowling and NBA Hotshot, among many others. Freeverse will retain its own name, brand and management, under the Ngmoco umbrella. Details here.