Set-top box games provider PlayTV has acquired Isreali company Pixel Technologies to form PixelPlay.

Privately held PlayTV provides subscription games for interactive TV on cable and satellite, based on a portfolio of well established brands including arcade classics such as Asteroids and board games like Monopoly and Scrabble.

Pixel Technologies also provides games, on platforms including EchoStar, Bell ExpressVu, and Multichoice. Pixel was recently named as one of three developers of the year by EchoStar for the second year in succession. Ramy Weitz of Pixel will become executive chairman of the combined group, although he does not seem to appear as a member of the executive team on their web site.

“We are very excited about this acquisition,” said PlayTV founder Ron Chaimowitz, who will serve as president and chief executive of PixelPlay. “Our goal in combining with Pixel Technologies is too become the clear leader in content, technology and distribution and to simply raise the standard of interactive television games across the board.”

www.pixelplay.com