Media giant NBC Universal, along with GE Commercial Finance and European equity group, GMT Communications Partners, are making a push into online gaming. The Peacock Equity Fund (a joint venture between NBCU and GE) and GMT have entered into an agreement to for the majority buyout of German browser games developer and publisher, Bigpoint.

The deal, which is valued at €70m (£55.5m), will give the companies access to 23 million users registered at Bigpoint's games portal.

To expand Bigpoint's reach into the US, we are told “NBC Universal will partner with Bigpoint to power a series of browser-based game titles to be featured on its SCI FI and USA Network Web sites”. It's not explicitly said, but it looks likely that these games will be based on NBC Universal properties, which include shows such as Heroes and Battlestar Galactica.

“The gaming space is a key strategic focus area for Peacock Equity”, said Tom Byrne, managing director and group head of the venture. “We believe the growth characteristics of the space, when coupled with what NBCU and GMT can do for Bigpoint’s continued development, make this a very attractive investment opportunity.”