Hasbro Properties Group And RealNetworks Bring Digital Versions Of Hasbro Games To The Web In Europe, Australia And New Zealand
Multiple versions of TRIVIAL PURSUIT(tm) complete with diverse trivia challenges to be released in early 2007
London, 23rd January, 2007 - Hasbro, Inc. today announced that it has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with RealNetworks ® subsidiaries Mr.Goodliving ® and Zylom ® to develop, market and distribute Hasbro's digital properties on the PC in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The first to market will be TRIVIAL PURSUIT TM followed by other well-known Hasbro titles such as MONOPOLY, GAME OF LIFE and YAHTZEE. The deal extends upon Real's current TRIVIAL PURSUIT mobile phone agreement with Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) and coincides with Real's North American PC-game relationship with Hasbro. TRIVIAL PURSUIT TM , MONOPOLY, GAME OF LIFE AND YAHTZEE are under license from HPG, the licensing arm of Hasbro.
"As the casual games market continues to explode, we are pleased to expand our alliance with Real to bring the world's most popular trivia game, as well as our other classics to the global masses," said Michael Fuller, director of digital media EMEA for HPG. "We expect fans will be very excited that TRIVIAL PURSUIT TM will now be at their fingertips anytime, anyplace."
Working in tandem with Mr.Goodliving's mobile game developers, Zylom will begin by developing online game versions of TRIVIAL PURSUIT TM properties, which allow fans to engage in challenging rounds of trivia on their PCs. The current seven mobile versions of the game, available at the Mr.Goodliving site, draw in new fans weekly, with 1.5 million downloads to date.
"This is an amazing time for casual gamers," said Rutger Peters, vice president of games. "We're bringing some of the most coveted entertainment properties to the digital world for fans to enjoy. We expect our first release of TRIVIAL PURSUIT TM to be as popular on the PC as it has been on the mobile phone. The game will be filled with challenging trivia teasers and a wide number of diverse questions to bring out the competitive spirit in even the most passionate of trivia buffs."
Zylom plans to release the PC versions of MONOPOLY, GAME OF LIFE and YAHTZEE throughout the 2007 year.
ABOUT REALNETWORKS, INC.
RealNetworks, Inc. is the leading creator of digital media services and software including Rhapsody, RealPlayer ® 10, and casual PC and mobile games. RealNetworks has more than 2.2 million paid subscribers to its premium digital media http://www.real.com. Broadcasters, network operators, media companies and enterprises use RealNetworks' products and services to create and deliver digital media to PCs, mobile phones and consumer electronics devices. RealNetworks' corporate information is located at http://www.realnetworks.com/company.
ABOUT ZYLOM
Over ten million people throughout Europe play the Zylom games on www.uk.zylom.com or through its European distribution network. Online games are especially popular amongst women; 80% of all visitors are female and over the age of thirty. Zylom was founded in the Netherlands in 2001. Earlier this month, Zylom was voted the fastest growing Media and Entertainment company in Europe in Deloitte Technology Fast 500; the annual election of fastest growing Technology companies in Europe.
Earlier this year, Zylom was acquired by RealNetworks Inc.
About HPG
HPG, the licensing arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), translates one of the industry's richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, digital media, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround consumers of all ages worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro's core brands, such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY, G.I. JOE, TONKA and PLAYSKOOL.
ABOUT HASBRO
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.
Trivial Pursuit is a registered trademark of Horn Abbot International Limited.