want news? for the first time ever,......Mac and PC users can now wage war against one another online: news released this morning, new revenue stream opens up (anyone catch the article on World of Warcraft in the most recent issue of Fortune magazine? 8 million subscribers paying US$15/month to play one game -- that's roughly $1.6 billion george washington dollars per year in revenue. for one game. unbelievable how big this market is, and TNG is just getting its toes wet...)
GameTap Launches "Myst Online: Uru Live" for Mac; Myst Universe Continues to Expand
Mac users can now join the critically acclaimed "Myst Online: Uru Live" as new content continues to flourish
ATLANTA, GEORGIA and TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - March 20, 2007) - GameTap, the first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), announced today the release of "Myst Online: Uru Live" for the Mac platform in tandem with its latest content additions. Using technology from TransGaming Inc., (TSX VENTURE:TNG) a leading developer of software portability products for the electronic entertainment industry, Mac users can now take part in the same massively multiplayer "Myst Online: Uru Live" experience as their PC counterparts, including all of the regularly added features, destinations, and missions.
"Myst Online: Uru Live has been the number one game on GameTap since its launch in February," said Ricardo Sanchez, GameTap's vice president of content. "So we are thrilled this new audience can experience GameTap's original content."
Mac users can experience the adventure and puzzle-solving elements and visually-stunning worlds of "Myst Online: Uru Live" via TransGaming's Cider portability engine which enables PC games to run on the Intel Mac OS. Additionally, new content and upgrades to "Myst Online: Uru Live" will be simultaneous and transparent to users on both Mac and PC platforms - an essential element in ensuring a fluid and harmonious experience between all players.
"Traditionally, Mac users have been very strong supporters of the legendary Myst franchise," said Vikas Gupta, CEO and President of TransGaming. "We are very excited to be working with GameTap to bring this title back to that group of core fans."
Recently fans were able to explore a new Age as part of GameTap's commitment to providing players with a constant stream of never-before-seen content. In this latest Age, explorers visited one of the pods that the D'ni once used. The pod, set in a stunning jungle environment, appears to have primarily been used to safely observe the exotic wildlife in its natural habitat - a sort of "reverse zoo." However, it contains some features that aren't entirely understood yet, so it's up to the players to unravel this latest mystery.
"We're excited that as the Myst universe continues to expand online, so does the accessibility to our unique world," said Rand Miller, CEO of Cyan Worlds and creator of Myst Online. "Many of the original Myst fans were Mac users, so for GameTap to reopen the door to this audience really means a lot to Cyan on a personal level."
PC and Mac players alike can explore yet another dynamic new area that launched last week, as the Myst Online universe and story continues to expand and evolve.
Dereno is a beautiful, arctic environment that features another mysterious pod for players to explore.
Published by GameTap and developed by Cyan Worlds, "Myst Online: Uru Live" was created exclusively for GameTap and is available to GameTap subscribers in the United States and Canada and via download in select countries around the world. "Myst Online: Uru Live" is part of the GameTap Originals label.
To experience "Myst Online: Uru Live," visit www.gametap.com/mystonline where you can play now for free.
About TransGaming Inc.
TransGaming is a leader in the development of unique software portability products that allow game developers and publishers to develop games for one system and deploy them across multiple platforms. Supported platforms range from Linux, Mac to Xbox PlayStation 2, and next generation systems.
TransGaming is a registered Microsoft Xbox developer and a licensed Sony PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable developer. TransGaming is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and maintains a research and development center in Ottawa, Canada. More information about the company can be obtained at www.transgaming.com.
About Cyan Worlds, Inc.
Cyan Worlds, Inc., located in Spokane, WA, is best know for Myst and Riven, which received numerous awards, critical acclaim and broad popularity, Cyan has been designing and building immersive interactive worlds since 1987. They currently employ over 40 designers, programmers and artists. For more information about Cyan Worlds, visit www.cyanworlds.com.
About GameTap
GameTap is the leader in digital game distribution and broadband entertainment. Launched by Turner Broadcasting in 2005, it now delivers more than 800 authentic versions of the greatest console, computer and arcade games on demand, including original and exclusive episodic properties. In addition to games for every age and interest, GameTap offers more than 600 original entertainment programs, popular video streams and thriving virtual communities to broadband-connected PCs. Continually updated with new games, programs and features, GameTap is a downloadable application that supports navigation and game play using keyboard and mouse, as well as most USB peripherals.
About Turner
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment products around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept the responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Access Communications for GameTap
Clint Bagley
(415) 844-6250
Email: cbagley@accesspr.com
or
TransGaming
Jean-Francois Dube
Investor Relations
1-877-848-8790
Email: investors@transgaming.com
or
TBS, Inc.
Wendy Rutherford
(404) 827-5097
Email: wendy.rutherford@turner.com