Planetwide Games Launches Comic Book Creator™
Consumer Friendly Self-Publishing Comic Book Software Makes Retail Debut For Holiday Season
Orange County, Calif. (November 15, 2005) - Cape-wearing couch potatoes have a reason to rejoice with the announcement that Planetwide Games' self-publishing comic book software, Comic Book CreatorTM has shipped and is available at retail outlets across the United States and Canada, and via digital download from http://www.PlanetwideComic.com. The innovative software title allows consumers to utilize their own video game screenshots, DVD movies, digital photos or art assets to create personalized comic books and comic strips.
"Comic Book Creator is a truly unique product in its ability to merge different forms of popular entertainment for fun and educational purposes, thus creating edutainment" said Kevin Donovan, President of Planetwide Games. "The title's intuitive drag and drop interface and wealth of features provides for a user-friendly creative outlet for the whole family, regardless of artistic ability. Gamers can import screenshots and generate their own graphic novels; families can create custom comic books using their family albums and personal photos; and bloggers can add a humorous twist to their posts. The possibilities are endless."
Comic Book Creator is the first PC based self-publishing software to integrate the comic book and video game industries. Comic Book Creator's self-publishing software will empower a gamer or comic book enthusiast to construct their own original comic. Users will now be able to easily create and share their own comic book adventure captured and created from their PC based video game play.
To create a comic, users need only select from one of over 500 different layout and design templates, drop in their art assets and insert text bubbles to bring to life whatever story they can imagine. Comic Book Creator will work withany jpeg, bmp or gif digital image and once users complete their masterpiece they can share it with friends by printing or exporting the image into a PDF or HTML file for online distribution.
Minimum system requirements include a PC running Windows 2000 or higher, a Pentium 4 processor 128 MB of RAM, a CD ROM and a hard drive with 1 GB of free space. Comic Book Creator will sell for a suggested retail price of $19.99.
Popular entertainment properties will also be available this holiday season via digital download content packs ranging in price from $2.99 to $9.99. Interested comic book and video gaming enthusiasts are encouraged to please visit: www.PlanetwideComics.com and create lasting memories.
A 14-day trial of the Comic Book Creator Self-Publishing Software can be downloaded at www.PlanetwideComics.com/instantdownload featuring all the functionality of the retail version of the software. The trial version printing and publishing capabilities contain a watermark on all printed and saved "Comic Book Creator" files. Watermarks are removed with the purchase of a full retail version of the software.
Users can purchase Comic Book Creator at video games and electronics retailers in the US and Canada. To find a local retailer, users can visit www.PlanetwideComics.com.
About Planetwide Games
Based in Orange County, CA, Planetwide Games, Inc. is a provider of innovative games andapplicationsoftware. The Company's games and applications easily integrate with portals and major game developers, orcan be sold separately throughdigital downloads andbox sales at retail locations. Planetwide Games' Comic Book Creator is a new and innovative self-publishing software program that empowers users to createcustom comic booksusing theirownimaginations anddigital images,and then publish them for friends online or in print.By providing an enhancedgameplayingexperience and ease-of-use,Planetwide creates stronger online communities and new ways of expressing creativity,resulting incustomer loyalty and longer sessions for portals and game developers. Planetwide Games also has 3D game engine software to develop branded titles, and a current library of casual games called Pixel PoppersTM. The Pixel Popper library contains challenginggames of strategy, trivia, sports and card gamesthat can be downloaded to customers, majorportals and social communities. Planetwide Games develops proprietary online technology and software products, and is building a worldwide network of affiliates. Visit www.PlanetwideGames.com and www.PlanetwideComics.com.
November 14, 2005, SP Holding Corporation and Planetwide Games jointly announced that they have signed a letter of intent to merge. Under the terms of the letter of intent, the parties will enter into a definitive merger agreement whereby SP Holding Corporation will merge with Planetwide Games by issuing common shares of SP Holding Corporation common stock in exchange for all outstanding Planetwide Games common shares and the assumption of Planetwide stock options and warrants. Upon completion of the transaction, SP Holding Corporation stockholders will own approximately 5% of the post-merger company and Planetwide Games stockholders will own approximately 95% of the post-merger company, on a fully diluted basis. The combined companies will be renamed Planetwide Games, Inc. and continue Planetwide Games' current business. The merger is expected to be tax-free to the stockholders of both companies. The closing of the transaction is subject to the execution of a definitive merger agreement and other customary closing conditions. Upon the closing of the transaction, it is anticipated that Planetwide Games will have no less than $5 million of cash on its balance sheet and the combined companies will be debt free, other than normal trade payables. SP Holding Corporation will affect a reverse stock split of 1-for-300, as approved by stockholders in June 2005.
Safe Harbor Statement
With the exception of historical information, matters discussed in this news release, including, in particular, statements to the effect that the planned merger will close, that Planetwide will have $5 million in cash at closing, and the planned merger being tax-free are forward-looking statements involving a number of risks and uncertainties and may not be achieved due to factors beyond our control. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general economic conditions and their affect on consumer spending, the company's inability to sufficiently anticipate market needs and develop products, increased competition, changing customer demands, market acceptance of combined company products and higher than anticipated expenses the combined company may incur in future quarters. Planetwide Games, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
COMPANY CONTACT:
Mark Politi | Planetwide Games, Inc.
32 Journey
Suite 250
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Phone: (800) 560-2993
mark.politi@planetwidegames.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Devin Parr | Edelman
5670 Wilshire Blvd.
22nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (323) 202-1072
devin.parr@edelman.com
Mike Larson | Edelman
5670 Wilshire Blvd.
22nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (323) 202-1891
mike.larson@edelman.com