Invent-A-Game Challenge
Kids thrown into game-designing combat, with $10,000 the prize.
Stamford, CT- December 4, 2008-– Best Buy and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) in association with The United Inventors Association (UIA) and By Kids For Kids (BKFK) announce the “Invent-A-Game Challenge,” a national competition offering America’s young people a unique chance to design an online game that Electronic Arts (“EA”) will produce. The Grand Prize winner will also receive a $10,000 (face value) U.S. Savings Bond. Complete contest rules can be found at www.bkfk.com.
The Invent-A-Game challenge is open to all American youth between the ages of 5 and 19. The contest period runs from December 3, 2008 until March 31, 2009. All entries must be received online at www.bkfk.com.
“Best Buy is excited about the opportunity to tap into the knowledge, innovation and talent of our youth to develop an online game,” said Jill Hamburger, vice president of gaming for Best Buy. “We’re especially interested in how kids tell us they use gaming in new and innovative ways to improve and enrich their lives.”
Game Active, an ancillary call for content, asks youth to consider how active gaming could improve ones’ life. For example, could a video game be used in an active way to promote a healthier lifestyle, or stimulate interest in and help track an exercise regime? Ideas submitted might even be celebrated on BestBuy.com and BKFK.com.
Innovative Game Active submissions may be shared with the public through www.bestbuy.com/familygaming or www.bkfk.com.
“EA is thrilled to give today’s youth the opportunity to see their idea made into a video game that people all around the world can enjoy,” said Daniel Hagerty, Producer, Electronic Arts. “We are eager to see the thought and creativity that kids put into this challenge and the ideas that are brought to the table.”
“BKFK appreciates the opportunity to partner with Best Buy, EA and the UIA to empower enterprising youth to create their very own video games, and to seeing the grand prize winner having their idea produced and distributed freely for the world to play!” added Norman Goldstein, the founder and CEO of BKFK.
“The United Inventors Association is very pleased to support the ‘Invent-A-Game Challenge,’ said Patrick Raymond, Executive Director of the UIA “Considering how much time youth spend playing video games, this contest is an opportunity to channel some of that toward an inventive challenge, especially for a game with a higher social purpose.”
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Media Contacts:
By Kids For Kids Co. EA Best Buy United Inventors Association
John Forrester Katie Carrico Emily Schroeder Patrick Raymond
(323) 702-3684 (310) 754-7190 (612) 291-6124 (646) 775-4922
media@bkfk.com kcarrico@ea.com emily.schroeder@bestbuy.com praymond@uiausa.org
Notes to Editors
About By Kids For Kids Co.
By Kids for Kids® (BKFK®) is a youth marketing and media company partnering with the world's leading corporations to provide a platform to foster, share, showcase, and commercialize youth innovation and entrepreneurship. Their mission is to inspire, motivate and stimulate the innovative spirit within all young people.
The closely held Stamford, CT-based Corporation has been dedicated to making youth ideas a reality since 2003. Through its website ( www.bkfk.com) and its social community (Idea Locker™), online competitions, TV show (Think Big™), Magazine (Possible™), press, and education outreach, the company engages youth in the US and around the world. BKFK® youth-created products are available nationally and serve as a testament to the power of youth innovation and social entrepreneurship.
More information about the company and its successes helping young innovators, is available online at www.bkfk.com
About Best Buy Co., Inc.
With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and China, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $40 billion annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy, Audiovisions, The Carphone Warehouse, Future Shop, Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star, Magnolia Audio Video, Napster, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers, The Phone House and Speakeasy. Approximately 165,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2008, we donated a combined $31.8 million to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bestbuyinc.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS Freestyle TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About United Inventors Association
The United Inventors Association is the world’s leading center for inventor/entrepreneur education. Founded in 1990 and based in upstate NY, the UIA was established as an umbrella association supporting and networking local and regional inventor organizations. UIA membership now has expanded throughout the USA and abroad to include individual inventors and innovators, academia, small and medium enterprise, service providers and non-profit companies. For more information about UIA, please visit its website at www.uiausa.org