InfoSpace Signs Mobile Gaming Agreement with Activision
Companies to Bring Well-known Console Games to Mobile Devices Including New Titles from Action Sports Superstar Tony Hawk
LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 12, 2006 - InfoSpace, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSP), a leader in mobile media, today announced that it has signed an agreement to create mobile versions of several top Activision games, including the two most recent titles from the legendary action sports superstar Tony Hawk.
InfoSpace's mobile versions of "Tony Hawk's Project 8" and "Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam" will offer gamers stunning graphics, exciting terrains and challenging tricks and jumps as well as many of the features of the console versions. InfoSpace will also develop mobile versions of "GUN," a Western-style action game, and a selection of Anthology Classic 2600 titles, which include classic games that were first designed for the Atari 2600.
"As mobile technology continues to evolve and with the increasing availability of 3G handsets, mobile gaming now enables more powerful and dynamic gameplay experiences.," said Stephen Davis, president, mobile & online media for InfoSpace. "We're excited to work with Activision to develop the coveted Tony Hawk brand for mobile as well as their most popular sport and adventure titles, offering fans the chance to test their skills and enjoy their favourite games while on the go."
"There's no denying the market penetration of cell phones, which makes mobile games a great way to extend our console brands," said David Anderson, senior director of business development for Activision. "InfoSpace is a leading mobile content, distribution and delivery company, and we look forward to building a successful relationship that puts some of our top titles in the hands of mobile gamers."
Mobile games to be released as a result of today's announcement include:
Completely revamped for next generation consoles, "Tony Hawk's Project 8" immerses players in the definitive skateboarding experience by using realistic graphics, enhanced physics, and extremely responsive controls that simulate the feeling of skating with every trick and bail.
"Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam" will allow players to experience the breakneck speed of downhill skateboard racing as they attempt some of the steepest terrains while performing tricks and outmanoeuvring opponents in locations around the globe -- from the streets of San Francisco to the rocky terrain of Machu Picchu.
Developed by Neversoft Entertainment, "GUN" turns virtual lonesome cowboys and one-armed bandits into Colton White, a vengeful gunslinger as he makes his way across the frontier of late 1800s America.
The Anthology Classic 2600 titles reintroduces old school gaming favourites such as "Pitfall 1 & 2," "Commando," "Freeway," "Keystone Kapers," "Seaquest," "Spider Fighter" and more. By combining these vintage games into one package, players can be a flying ace, a race car champion, a tennis star and space pioneer -- all in one afternoon.
Game availability depends on individual phone models and wireless carriers.
About Activision
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.47 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain, the Netherlands and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.
About InfoSpace, Inc.
A leading mobile media and technology company, InfoSpace, Inc. (Nasdaq:INSP) develops and distributes content, products and services that are creating a robust mobile marketplace and make it easy for consumers to discover, personalize and enjoy their experiences. Founded in 1996, InfoSpace leverages its online and mobile assets to potentially reach more than 90 percent of mobile subscribers in North America through partnerships with operators such as Cingular Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and Virgin Mobile and through its direct to consumer channel Moviso® (Moviso.com). The company's mobile portal services are also available to more than 60 percent of the U.S. market. Online, the company showcases its leading metasearch technology though Web sites such as Dogpile® (Dogpile.com) and its comprehensive directory listings in such properties as Switchboard® (Switchboard.com). For more information, please visit www.infospaceinc.com.
Cautionary Note about Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements regarding InfoSpace's agreement with Activision. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could affect InfoSpace's actual results include the scope and timing of market acceptance and mobile carrier implementation of the mobile versions of the Activision games. A more detailed description of certain factors that could affect actual results include, but are not limited to, those discussed in InfoSpace's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed from time to time, in the section entitled "Risk Factors." Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. InfoSpace undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
SOURCE: InfoSpace, Inc.
Contacts:
Heather Nevesky/ InfoSpace/ 310-481-6934/ heather.nevesky@infospace.com
or
Jaclyn Ruckle/ Weber Shandwick for InfoSpace/ 425-452-5432/ jruckle@webershandwick.com