DigitalLife 2005 Teams Up With the Global Gaming League™ to Produce National Gaming Tournament
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK, April 5, 2005 - DigitalLife, Ziff Davis Media's leading consumer electronics and digital technology event, announced today that it has joined forces with the Global Gaming League (GGL), the worldwide leader in organized competitive online and live video game tournaments and events, to produce a nationwide videogame tournament that will kick off in the fall of 2005. Thousands of videogame players will take part in online qualifying rounds for the opportunity to appear in person and compete for up to $75,000 at the DigitalLife consumer event held October 14-16, 2005 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.
"The videogame component of DigitalLife in 2004 was one of the major draws of the event," said Paul O'Reilly, Vice President, Ziff Davis Media. "The show floor was packed for three straight days with gamers of all ages testing the latest game releases and the hottest games on the market. To further strengthen the gaming experience, and in response to consumer and industry demand, we're excited to team up with one of the leading gaming tournament organizations in the U.S. to produce a must-attend gaming event."
At the inaugural DigitalLife event in October 2004, over 100 of the technology and videogame industries most prominent companies displayed their latest digital technology products, online services and new videogame releases. More than 33,000 people attended the event, including hundreds of press and analysts.
Beginning in early September, gamers across America will compete online at the GGL's destination gaming website, www.GGL.com, and at top game center locations. The tournament will feature several of the most popular videogame titles including Halo2, Counter-Strike: Source, Unreal Tournament 2004, and Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War. Over 400 of the best players will be awarded spots to compete for big prize money in a live and interactive setting at DigitalLife 2005.
Tournament finals, which will be held on all three days of the event, will feature celebrities and prominent video gaming personalities. Major sports casting celebrities will emcee the competition and provide play-by-play match color commentary, tournament bracket analysis and player and VIP interviews.
In addition to the national contest, the GGL will host exhibition tournaments for DigitalLife 2005 attendees of all levels, from hardcore gamers to general enthusiasts. These tournaments will include competitions for popular cult titles such as Dance Dance Revolution and multi-player coin-op racing games.
"DigitalLife 2005 is a massive, must-see platform for us to showcase top-notch serious competition, as well as to give thousands of attendees an opportunity to compete for fun," said Ted Owen, Chairman of the GGL. "We're excited to be working with Ziff Davis to bring the excitement and entertainment of our tournaments to DigitalLife, the top video game expo for consumers in the greatest city in the world."
Ziff Davis Media will promote the event in part through its market-leading Game Group media properties. The Ziff Davis Media Game Group produces several of the industry's market leading magazine publications including Electronic Gaming Monthly, Computer Gaming World and Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine as well as its unique online gaming destination, www.1UP.com.
About the Global Gaming League
The Global Gaming LeagueTM (GGL) is the worldwide leader in organized competitive online and live video game tournaments and events (V-Sports). The GGL services its worldwide community of videogame enthusiasts via its state-of-the-art online gaming network, lead by its destination website GGL.com, its year-round live videogame events, and by providing a broad array of gaming-oriented services and content of deep interest to video gamers in the U.S. and abroad. Through these offerings, the GGL creates an immersive entertainment experience for a rapidly growing community of connected gamers. For more information, visit www.ggl.com.
About Ziff Davis Media Inc.
Ziff Davis Media is a leading integrated media company focusing on the technology, videogame and consumer lifestyle markets. The Company is an information services provider of technology media including publications, websites, conferences, events, eSeminars, eNewsletters, custom publishing, list rentals, research and market intelligence. In the United States, the Company publishes 9 magazines including PC Magazine, Sync, ExtremeTech, eWEEK, CIO Insight, Baseline, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Computer Gaming World, Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. The Company exports the power of its brands internationally, with publications in 41 countries and 20 languages. Ziff Davis leverages its content on the Internet with eight highly-targeted technology and gaming sites including PCMag.com, eWEEK.com, ExtremeTech.com and 1UP.com. The Company also produces highly-targeted b-to-b and consumer technology events including DigitalLife. With its main headquarters and PC Magazine Labs based in New York, Ziff Davis Media also has offices and lab facilities in the San Francisco and Boston markets. Additional information is available at www.ziffdavis.com.
Contact:
Randy Zane
Ziff Davis Media Inc.
212-503-3535