ESPN Video Games Channel Launches On ESPN.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2006
ESPN today launched the ESPN Video Games Channel presented by GameTap, a section of the Internet's top sports site, ESPN.com. Developed in collaboration with Ziff Davis Game Group, the co-branded section delivers sports video game-focused content including sports video game news and reviews, trailers, audio and video podcasts, industry analysis, interviews and more. Additionally, coming soon, the section will feature the "GameTap Video Game Vault" - a section that gives fans in-depth information and histories about hundreds of the most popular video games from a number of game platforms.
Content for the section is provided by both Ziff Davis Game Group and ESPN.com, and will include material from 1UP Network sites 1UP.com, GameVideos.com, and FileFront.com and magazines Electronic Gaming Monthly, Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine and Games for Windows: The Official Magazine, as well as from ESPN writers and contributors.
"Sports fans today have a broad range of interests, and video games are a part of their connection to sports," said John Kosner, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN New Media.
Fans can find the he new page can at: http://sports.espn.go.com/videogames/index
Content on the ESPN Video Games Channel will include:
Video & Audio
A weekly video podcast from ESPN.com and the 1UP Network, modeled after "The 1UP Show" and available through ESPN.com's PodCenter and 1UP.com; Sports-oriented gaming demos, strategy videos, and preview trailers from GameVideos.com; A weekly, co-branded audio podcast about the latest in sports games available through ESPN.com's PodCenter and 1UP.com; Game and statistical simulations from popular sports titles.News, Reviews and Information
News about the latest sports video games on the market; Product previews, reviews and rankings; Interviews and industry analysis; Links, summary and teaser content for non-sports oriented content on 1UP.com, including product reviews, news, videos, files and rankings.GameTap Video Game Vault (coming this fall)
Fans will be able to read about, and in some cases play, popular past sports arcade, console and PC video games, including games originally available on various video game platforms such as Atari 2600, Genesis, Neo-Geo, SEGA Genesis, Commodore 64, Intellivison and more. Among the titles: o Boxing, Double Dunk, Decathlon, Home Run, Realsports (Baseball, Football and Tennis), Super Baseball and Super Football (all originally on the Atari 2600)o 3 Count Bout, League Bowling, 2020 Super Baseball, Football Frenzy (originally on Neo-Geo)
o Pro Boxing Simulator, Pro Powerboat Simulator and Pro Skateboard Simulator and Winter Games (originally on Commodore 64)
GameTap also provides access to video game hits, ranging from Pac-Man, Galaga and FroggerTM to Street Fighter®, Tomb Raider, and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell®.Community
User-submitted content from FileFront.com, a leading site for gaming downloads; Links to message ESPN.com message boards.About Ziff Davis Game Group
Ziff Davis Game Group (gamegroup.ziffdavis.com), a division of Ziff Davis Media Inc., is the largest integrated gaming media publisher in the United States, reaching over 17 million gamers in print and 11 million gamers online. The Game Group publishes magazines including Electronic Gaming Monthly, Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, and Computer Gaming World, as well as the 1UP Network of web properties, including social networking and editorial hub 1UP.com, file download destination FileFront.com, video site GameVideos.com, community-driven game help site MyCheats.com, news and reviews aggregator GameTab.com, and video podcast The 1UP Show.
About GameTap
GameTap is the leader in digital game distribution and broadband entertainment. Launched by Turner Broadcasting in 2005, it now delivers more than 600 authentic versions of the greatest console, computer and arcade games on demand, including original and exclusive episodic properties. In addition to games for every age and interest, GameTap offers more than 400 original entertainment programs, popular video streams and thriving virtual communities to broadband-connected PCs.
Continually updated with new games, programs and features, GameTap is a downloadable application that supports navigation and game play using keyboard and mouse, as well as most USB peripherals. Go to www.gametap.com and expand your playground.
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CONTACT: Paul Melvin, ESPN
860.766.9581 or paul.melvin@espn.com
Jason Freidenfelds, 1UP Network/Ziff Davis
415.547.8248 or jason_freidenfelds@ziffdavis.com
Misty Skedgell, GameTap
(404) 885-4396 or Misty.Skedgell@turner.com