World Cyber Games To Host 2007 WCG USA National Final At Universal Orlando Resort
America's Best Gamers Compete September 14-16 For Over $100,000 In Cash & Prizes And The Chance To Represent TEAM USA at e-Sports' Largest and Most Prestigious International Video Game Tournament, The WCG 2007 Grand Final
Samsung SyncMaster 931c Returns as "Official Gaming Monitor" Of WCG 2007 USA National Final and WCG 2007 Grand Final
Circuit City's WCG Mobile Tour Announces Dates, Markets and a "Last Chance" To Join The WCG Tournaments
NEW YORK, NY, July 25, 2007 - The World Cyber Games (WCG), the recognized blue chip leader for international video game competitions, today announced that Universal Orlando Resort is the official venue for the 2007 WCG USA Championship: National Final. From September 14th - 16th, America's best gamers will square off in Universal Studios' Soundstage # 33 on eleven (11) top video game titles for the chance to take home a share of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. More importantly, twenty-two WCG USA National Final gold and silver medalists will earn coveted spots on TEAM USA, where they will compete against the world's best players at the WCG 2007 Grand Final in Seattle, Washington this October 3rd - 7th (Opening ceremony is on 4th) for a prize purse in excess of half a million dollars and international e-Sports stardom. WCG USA finalists will enjoy the benefits of onsite accommodations at Universal's Royal Pacific Resort, unlimited admission to the parks and express access to rides and attractions during their stay and access to special hotel and park rates for friends and family. In addition, all gaming fans will be able to access these special rates via a special joint promotion that will soon be available at www.worldcybergames.com/usa and www.universalorlando.com.
"Universal Orlando Resort provides a grand stage for spectators to come out and see America's best video game players compete to become stars in e-Sports' most prestigious tournament -- and for those who can't be here in person, Spike TV will be on hand to capture all the action and fun for a dedicated episode of their popular weekly gaming show Game Head," said Michael Arzt, general manager of International Cyber Marketing USA, organizer of the WCG. "With over $100,000 in cash and prizes on the line and precious spots on TEAM USA up for grabs, there's no question that this year's WCG USA National Final at Universal will be a must-see gaming event, second only to the Grand Final."
America and the world's elite e-Sports players will benefit from some of the very best gaming technology available, as Samsung's SyncMaster 931C LCD monitors -- renowned for lightning fast response rates, crystal clear images and unparalleled color tone -- once again deliver the ultimate gaming interface as the official gaming monitors of the 2007 WCG USA and Grand Final events.
The road to the WCG 2007 Grand Final started all over the world earlier this year with Local Qualifiers in over 70 countries, where competitors faced off for spots in their country's National Championship programs and similar chances to compete for spots with their national teams for the WCG 2007 Grand Final. WCG USA Online Qualifiers will be wrapped up in late July, with live Regional Qualifiers taking place at the following locations:
· WCG USA Atlantic Regional: Samsung Experience (8/4 - 8/5) New York, NY
· WCG USA North Regional: Net Heads (8/4 - 8/5) Indianapolis, IN
· WCG USA South Regional: Mug and Mouse (8/11 - 8/12) Frisco, TX
· WCG USA Pacific Regional: CG Centre (8/11 - 8/12) Irvine, CA
Spectators are invited to witness a who's who of video gaming's most talented players as they battle it out at the biggest games on Xbox 360 and PC. In addition, gaming fans and players attending the WCG USA Regional Qualifiers and National Final should be on the look out for the World Cyber Games Circuit City Tour. Circuit City, Samsung and Microsoft, have teamed up to create the ultimate gaming dream machines: Two state-of-the-art motor coaches, decked out with the hottest Xbox and Samsung gaming gear will travel to all six of the WCG's USA-based live events, starting with all four WCG USA Live Regional Qualifiers.
Just prior to the Live Regionals, special mini-tournaments in certain games, held "right on the bus" at local Circuit City stores on August 2nd - 3rd and 9th - 10th in the WCG USA regional markets will award last chance "wild card" WCG USA berths into the corresponding live regional events. The WCG Tour motor coaches will also be heading to the WCG USA National Final in Orlando and the WCG 2007 Grand Final in Seattle. The tour will make at least 28 stops along the way at Circuit City stores in various WCG event markets. For more information on the WCG Circuit City Tour and a list of eligible wild card games, visit www.circuitcity.com/wcg. Plus check out our live forum on July 29th to chat with gamer/blogger "TriXie" from Xbox live's TriXie tells all and "MrMilo", a current WCG champion. You'll learn what it takes to be a pro gamer and how to get involved in competitions. Post your questions now or ask in person at the live forum and if you miss it, check back later to see what was discussed.
Highlights of the World Cyber Games USA National Championship and international competitions will be broadcast on Spike TV's weekly Game Head program starting in August, all leading up to a dedicated episode from the WCG USA National Final and a 1-hour prime-time special on November 9th focused on the WCG 2007 Grand Final. Episodes will feature intense gaming action along with a behind the scenes look at this emerging world cultural festival and profiles of the e-Sports superstars competing in the tournament. Additional WCG coverage will also be featured on MTV Network's SpikeTV.com, GameTrailers.com and Xfire in short form video segments.
World Cyber Games current 2007 sponsors include Worldwide Partner Samsung Electronics; Premier Partners Microsoft Xbox 360 and Games For Windows, Circuit City Stores and Spike TV; Official Partners Synchmaster, Philips amBX, Dust-Off, Procurve Networking by HP and others.
ABOUT THE WORLD CYBER GAMES
The World Cyber Games ( www.worldcybergames.com) is the premiere blue chip global tournament and cultural cyber festival in gaming, with well over 1 million players from more than 70 countries participating annually. Founded in 2000 and credited with launching the professional careers of many of the planet's top video game players, the World Cyber Games uses a yearlong tournament format, which begins with online, regional and national competitions in each country. National finalists then compete in the ultimate international tournament in e-Sports, The World Cyber Games Grand Final, where each country's best players compete for the largest and most prestigious prize in competitive gaming. The 2007 Grand Final will be held at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington October 3 - 7.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
The Universal Orlando Resort ( http://www.universalorlando.com)is home to the world class Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure theme parks, as well as Universal CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping, club and live-entertainment venue and three premier on-site Loews hotels.
About Circuit City Stores, Inc.
Circuit City Stores, Inc. (NYSE:CC) is a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics and related services. The domestic segment operates through 647 Superstores and 13 other locations in 158 U.S. markets. The international segment operates through approximately 800 retail stores and dealer outlets in Canada. Circuit City also operates Web sites at www.circuitcity.com, www.thesource.ca and www.firedog.com.
ABOUT SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA, INC.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA) markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products; and oversees Samsung's North American operations, including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. Its parent company, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., ranks #5 in the 2006 Consumer Electronics segment of the Fortune Magazine "America's Most Admired Companies," and ranks # 20 in the BusinessWeek "The Best Global Brand 100 2006." Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. is a top patent holder, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2006. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.
CONTACT:
For The World Cyber Games: For Circuit City:
Adam Fenton / Derek Musso Jim Babb
Bender/Helper Impact Circuit City Stores
212-689-6360 804-527-4003
adam_fenton@bhimpact.com / jim_babb@circuitcity.com
derek_musso@bhimpact.com
For Samsung For Universal Orlando Resort
Jose Cardona Katie Elliott
Samsung Electronics America: Public Relations
(201) 229-4118 (407) 363-8220
jcardona@sea.samsung.com Katie.elliott@universalorlando.com