DragonVale developer Backflip Studios launches publishing arm

Successful mobile publisher and developer Backflip ( Ninjump series) has today announced the formation of its own publishing arm, with two games: PlunderNauts and Seabeard .

Springboarding off of the success of games like iOS top-grossing game DragonVale and Ninjump , Backflip Studios has launched Backflip Publishing. The label is looking for "small to medium sized studios" which are developing "innovative" mobile games, and promising to offer help with everything from game design and analytics to PR and community management.

The initiative brings on board industry veteran Simon Jeffrey, who has served variously as president of Sega of America, president and COO of LucasArts, and chief publishing officer at Ngmoco.

The company also announced its first two published games today: LightBox Interactive's PlunderNauts and Hand Circus' Seabeard (pictured above). LightBox previously developed Starhawk for Sony on the PlayStation 3, and Hand Circus last released Okabu after making a splash near the iOS App Store launch with Rolando .

Last year, toy giant Hasbro invested $112 million in Backflipand scooped up 70 percent of the company.

Those interested in checking out what Backflip has to offer can visit its publishing sitefor more info.