Empire of Sports

Thursday 12th March/... Empire of Sports, the first massively connected multisport 3D game, today takes a new step in becoming the first worldwide event platform dedicated to sports, by partnering with Prince, a global leader in performance racquet sports equipment.

More than just a game, Empire of Sports is a sports platform designed to echo the major real life sports events around the world, and provide all sports fans with an extended space to share and live their passion. Thanks to the valuable input from the ever growing community, Empire of Sports just keeps getting better - especially with the constant addition of new sports, clubs, sportsmen, competitions, events, and sports brands.

Prince’s partnership with Empire of Sports further enhances the games’ credentials. Prince racquets are played at all levels and the racquet choice of such superstars as Maria Sharapova, Gael Monfils, Mike and Bob Bryan and Jelena Jankovic. Likewise, Empire of Sports’ players can choose to use a virtual Prince racquet in order to boost the in-game performance of their avatar.

Empire of Sports is taking this opportunity to launch the permanent events program for players of Empire of Sports to put their skills to the test with both virtual and real prizes up for grabs. Entry to all online tournaments and events can be made at any time - except during the finals which are held every Saturday.

Depending on the type of event, Saturday’s winners will be rewarded with virtual items to boost their avatar’s performances, or real life prizes. Each week the winner of the Prince Tennis Tournament will receive a real Prince “O3 Speedport Blue” tennis racquet! This racquet will give the players additional playing benefits such as more speed and power in order to improve their tennis game in the real world.

Alexis Galley, Empire of Sports’ CEO, declares: “We’re very proud to be partnering with Prince. Their tradition in designing innovative racquet technologies perfectly fits our gameplay. It’s a precious addition to the life of our sporting world.”

Susi Capell, Marketing Manager Prince Sports EMEA, declares: “We’re very excited to be part of such an ambitious project as Empire of Sports. The game provides a unique experience for sports fans and helps us to communicate to various target groups - the gaming- and tennis community who will be equally attracted to this outstanding online gaming experience.”

Empire of Sports is currently in the Prologue phase: this phase allows Empire of Sports to expand progressively, with the help and feedback of a vast community.

If you are interested in entering one of the Empire of Sports tournaments and fancy your chances of winning one of many exciting prizes, all you need to do is download the game client from www.empireofsports.com, register and start playing!

To see the full list of tournaments and events, please visit https://www.empireofsports.com/community/en/events/permanent-events/calendar/index.html

For more information on the Prince Diamond Cup, please visit https://www.empireofsports.com/community/en/events/permanent-events/sponsor-tournaments/prince-diamond-trophy/index.html

To learn more about the Prince “O3 Speedport Blue” tennis racquet, then please visit http://www.princetennis.com/tennis/files/product.aspx?region=emea&cid=291&ProductId=1552

Ends.

About Empire of Sports

Empire of Sports is a new kind of massively multiplayer games. It combines the depth of role-play and the competitive dynamics of sports games in an innovative and very ambitious (including technically) persistent world, where players can meet in real time from all over the world and play sports together. Currently in its “Prologue” phase, Empire of Sports offers unrestricted access to its featured six sports: tennis, football, skiing, bobsleigh, basketball, and track & field. During this Prologue phase, players are encouraged to provide feedback to the development team to help fine tune the gameplay and business model. Premium accounts are already available for players willing to get extra services in Empire of Sports, like boosts for their avatars’ performances, access to special events, extra avatar slots… The Premium accounts are available from as low as €2,22 per month through the account management section on www.empireofsports.com.

Empire of Sports is produced and operated by the joint venture founded by Infront Sports & Media and F4. F4 is developing the platform leveraging the expertise of its team in online gaming and the creation of persistent virtual worlds, while Infront Sports & Media is contributing its long-term relationships with top sports federations, clubs and athletes to the endeavour.

About Prince Sports, Inc.

Prince Sports, Inc, based in New Jersey, is a company of racquet sports enthusiasts whose goal is to create cutting edge, functional and technically advanced products that deliver performance benefits for avid players. The Company's portfolio of brands includes Prince (tennis, squash and badminton), Ektelon (racquetball) and Viking (platform/paddle tennis). The Company has a history of innovation including inventing the first "oversize" and "longbody" racquets, the first "Natural Foot Shape" tennis shoe, the first "synthetic gut" string and the first electronic ball machine. Today, Prince markets leading technologies in racquets (EXO3), string (Recoil), footwear (Precision Tube Technology) and apparel (Aerotech). It has operations on three continents with distribution in over 100 countries. For more information on players, products or programs please visit www.princesports.com.

About F4

Founded in 2002 by a pair of mathematicians, keen on gaming, mangas and philosophy, F4 is an independent company based on the Champs Elysées, Paris. Specializing in the conception, development and the operation of virtual worlds, F4 is strongly connected to 3D computer games. In contrast to other games, persistent worlds are hugely advantageous as they permit ongoing real-time dialogue within the players’ community. F4 is committed to take this a step further and continuously evolve the functionalities, gameplay and business model of its games. F4 are continuously looking to maintain and exceed player expectations. Empire of Sports relies on F4’s high technical standards to achieve results other than that seen in many typical MMO genres, and a unique graphical identity, both rich and endearing.

For further information on Empire of Sports or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Sarah Hartland/Anna Larke

Barrington Harvey

Tel: 01462 456780

Fax: 01462 456781

Email: sarah.hartland@bhpr.co.uk / anna.larke@bhpr.co.uk

Issued by: Barrington Harvey, Trooper’s Yard, Bancroft, Hitchin SG5 1JW

Further information about Prince Sports, Inc. is available from:

Susi Capell

Email: scapell@princesports.co.uk

Phone: +44 (0)208 9730314