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AOL® FOR BROADBAND LAUNCHES NEW GAMES DESTINATION WITH MORE ONLINE GAMES, ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING AND VIDEO GAME DISCOUNTS
Working Directly with New Partners, GameHouse Studios, Trymedia Systems and Funkitron, AOL® Games Offers More Online and Downloadable Games
“Face Off,” an Original New Video Game Show, Launches Exclusively for AOL for Broadband Members
AOL Games Joins Forces with EBGames.com to Offer Members Discounts on Game Titles
NEW YORK, May 5, 2004 – America Online today unveiled a new destination for fans of Internet, PC and console games that features dozens of new Web-based games and original game-related programming exclusively for AOL for Broadband members.
In addition to its current selection of games from Pogo.com™, AOL Games now offers Web-based and premium downloadable games from new partners GameHouse Studios, Trymedia and Funkitron. AOL members now have access to more than 80 Web-based games in categories such as casino, arcade, word and puzzle, sports and more, all included at no additional charge for AOL members. As the result of AOL’s partnership with Trymedia, AOL Games will soon offer hundreds of premium downloadable games in a wide variety of categories that appeal to both casual and core gamers. In addition, all of AOL’s downloadable games, which are available for a free trial period before purchase, can be easily backed up, used on multiple computers and legitimately shared with friends as the result of Trymedia’s ActiveMARK digital distribution technology. AOL members continue to have access to the Club Pogo premium games – an exclusive benefit as part of their AOL membership.
Concurrent with its expanded online game offerings, AOL Games will also offer a new video games destination. Beginning in early May, AOL members will receive special discounts on video and PC game purchases made through AOL Games, as a result of a new partnership with EBGames.com, the e-commerce Web site of Electronics Boutique, the world's largest specialty retailer dedicated exclusively to video game hardware, software and PC entertainment software and accessories. Rotating promotions will apply for both new and pre-played video game sales, including discounts between $5 and $10 and free games depending on purchase and special offers.
By combining the best online games from today’s leading publishers; hundreds of free downloadable game trials; extensive video game information including reviews, hints, cheats and news; special EBGames.com discounts; and original streaming video programs that take an entertaining look at today’s hottest games, the new AOL Games area – available at AOL Keyword: Games – provides members with a unique, comprehensive gaming experience.
“The new games destination represents a major initiative by AOL to bring games – and entertainment based on games – to the mass market audience,” explained Matthew Bromberg, Vice President and General Manager, AOL Games. “In addition to our wide selection of the best games on the Web which appeal to the casual gamers, we’re also reaching fans of PC and console games by providing exciting entertainment programming unlike anything else that’s out there.”
AOL for Broadband members also get exclusive access to the original streaming video program, “Face Off,” produced by g-Net media. “Face Off” showcases the latest PC and console games as real AOL members put their skills to the test against AOL Games’ arsenal of gaming gladiators.
“Face Off” joins AOL Games’ four current original video programs available at AOL Keyword: Video Games: “First Tip” – a spotlight of hints and cheats for the newest PC and console games featuring narrated tips and animated graphics; “Phive” – video reviews of the must-have games each month; “V.I.P.” – interviews with hot celebrities appearing in new video games; and “Players Club” – a monthly spotlight on the best gamers from the AOL community.
"The original programs from AOL Games are just a couple of examples of the exciting content available only on AOL for Broadband,” said Kevin Conroy, Executive Vice President, AOL for Broadband. “They are exclusive and highly entertaining mini-shows that are unlike anything else on the Web. We’re confident that gaming fans will agree that the broadband content on the new AOL Games area delivers on our promise to bring them the best and most entertaining video games site online.”
Beyond new games and original programs, AOL Games offers visitors an enhanced experience with a new look, new content and improved ease of use. Individual game pages in the video games area will integrate related AOL features with exhaustive content from one of the leading publishers, GameSpot, including cheats, tips, news, reviews, ratings and more. AOL members can also access select content from the GameSpot Complete premium service. AOL’s community features including chat rooms and message boards and online shopping links will also be incorporated.
Video@AOL will also launch a live streaming broadcast channel dedicated to previewing the hottest game releases at this year's Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3) show in mid-May. The E3 Channel is a continuous feed that enables AOL for Broadband members to watch highlights of many of the exciting new games being demonstrated at E3, the game industry's leading product showcase.
In addition to having access to the broadcast channel, AOL for Broadband members can also view these individual previews on demand, along with Video@AOL's extensive on-demand library of more than 300 game video clips. AOL for Broadband members can access the E3 Channel and other top entertainment, news, sports and specialty video content at AOL Keyword: Video@AOL.
About AOL Games Consistently ranked among the leading online gaming sites, AOL Games offers online games, exclusive demos of the hottest video games, comprehensive video games information including cheats, tips and reviews, and exclusive original streaming video programming. Nearly 10 million* game fans visit AOL Games and spend an average of 267 minutes per visitor each month. Games are the second most popular activity on AOL behind email/instant messaging based on time spent per account.
About AOL® for Broadband
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Pogo.com and Club Pogo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc.
* ComScore Media Metrix, March 2004
Contact: Lori Dolginoff America Online, Inc. 212-652-6363 |
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