Official PlayStation 2 Magazine gives away exclusive Theo Walcott Match Attax card

12/06/06 - Future's Official PlayStation 2 Magazine has teamed up with Merlin Topps, the makers of popular football trading cards game, Match Attax to give away an exclusive, special edition Theo Walcott card.

With the unexpected inclusion of Walcott in Sven's England World Cup Squad, Merlin Topps were taken by surprise as they had not included the hotly-tipped Arsenal teenager in their 2006 line-up. Responding quickly to demand, the company created a special run of 130,000 Theo cards - to be exclusively distributed with the July issue of Official PlayStation 2 Magazine, on sale this Friday, 16th June. The special Theo Walcott card allows England fans and collectors of Match Attax to properly complete their collection.

Tim Clark, Editor of Official PlayStation 2 Magazine said:

"We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to offer our readers the chance to complete their Match Attax collection with the exclusive Theo Walcott card. With the World Cup kicking off and Theo set to be one of the most closely-watched players, the timing couldn't be any better. Who knows - this could become the most coveted card of the set!"

Rod Pearson, Marketing Manager, Merlin Topps Ltd added:

"Our Match Attax trading card game has been extremely popular and our customers demanded a Theo card as soon as Sven announced him in the squad. Official PlayStation 2 Magazine offered the opportunity to distribute the card just in time for the tournament - let's just hope he can now do the business on the pitch!"

Continuing the football theme, Official PlayStation 2 Magazine also contains a special "future of football" feature on Pro Evolution Soccer 6. Elsewhere, the team gives the low-down on two of the biggest games coming to the next-generation PS3: Assassin's Creed and Need For Speed: Carbon, which are also celebrated in a special split run cover - with two different collectable versions featuring artwork from the games.

The essential monthly covermounted DVD contains nine playable demos, including the eagerly anticipated horror game Forbidden Siren 2 as well as EyeToy Play SPORTS Footy Fever and SingStar Rocks!

The July issue of Official PlayStation 2 Magazine is on sale on Friday 16th June priced £5.99.

ENDS

About Future
Future plc is an international special-interest media group with offices in the UK, US, France and Italy. Founded in 1985 with one UK magazine, today it creates over 150 special-interest publications, websites and events, with strong portfolios in the computing, games, music, automotive, sports, crafts and leisure sectors. Over 100 international editions of Future's magazines are also published under licence in 30 other countries across the world. Future employs over 1,500 people worldwide. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR).

For more information please contact:
Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, on 01225 822 517