Index has acquired a 70% stake in NEC Interchannel from Japanese electronics giant NEC. Worth three billion yen ($28.41 million US), the deal is being described as part of a new cooperation between NEC, its internet service provider Biglobe and Index. By selling its game division, which is famous for its console-based love adventure titles as well as the Black/Matrix series of strategy RPGs in Japan, NEC hopes to strengthen its alliance with Index, a major player in the internet and cellphone content business. NEC will retain a 27.2% stake in its former subsidary, which - under its new parent company index - will be renamed to Interchannel. Fumihiro Hamuro, president of Index subsidary Index Magazines will succeed Yasushi Kurokawa as Interchannel's new president. Kurokawa will move on to become the new entity's chairman.

• GameOnline