Hot Summer Games

03/06/08 – Future, the special-interest media group, today announces a new publishing partnership with Tesco – the UK’s largest retailer, to launch a brand-new games magazine.

With a print run of one million per issue, the new Tesco and Future partnership becomes the UK’s biggest-ever games title. The FREE magazine will be distributed nationwide from 425 of Tesco’s largest stores and with online purchases from the Tesco Entertainment website ( www.tesco.com/entertainment).

The new title is launched as Tesco seeks to boost the prominence of gaming within its entertainment offering, both in-store and online. The magazine promises to provide customers with all the essential information they need to make safe and informed games purchasing decisions, written by Future’s GamesRadar.com team, the popular gaming website, which now attracts an audience of more than 6.3m unique users a month [Source: HBX: Jan 2008]

“Hot Summer Games” is the first magazine from the new partnership, and promises to be an unmissable guide to the biggest releases of the season across all major formats - Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and PC.

With 24 packed pages, the debut edition features Mario Kart Wii, Grand Theft Auto IV, Lego Indiana Jones, The Bourne Conspiracy, Alone in the Dark and plenty more summer sizzlers.

Games Buying Manager for Tesco, Matthew Cushway comments:

“With the fantastic growth of gaming and the continuing diversity of the audience, Tesco wanted to offer our customers a simple guide to the key games they should be looking for this summer. Extensive customer research showed an overwhelming desire to get more information about games, helping them to make the right choice.

“The magazine clearly explains what to expect from a game but also importantly to highlight who it is appropriate for. As a responsible retailer, we are keen to ensure that the customer makes an informed choice, making sure parents are made aware of 18 rated games to stop them being purchased for those under the legal age. Launching this magazine also indicates the strong ambitions Tesco has within the games market.”

Publisher for Future, Lee Nutter added:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Tesco on this landmark games magazine – utilising Future’s editorial expertise to inform and guide Tesco customers to the best games for them and their families. Working with the UK’s leading retailer further cements Future’s number one position in the games market.”

Hot Summer Games will be available in Tesco stores nationwide and with Tesco online entertainment purchases from 16th June 2008.

ENDS

About Future

Future plc is an international special-interest media group with offices in the UK and US. Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today it creates over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events, with strong portfolios in the games, technology, music, film and active sectors including sports, automotive and crafts. Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally. The Company employs more than 1,200 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR).

For more information

Will Guyatt, Future UK Media Relations Manager, 01225 822517.