Virtual World Entropia Universe and Global Gaming Factory X AB Launch Digital Distribution of Entropia to Gaming Centers
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- May 22, 2007 -- MindArk and Global Gaming Factory X AB
announced the launch of Entropia Universe as the first virtual universe and
software to use the Smartlaunch Direct digital distribution platform to
reach millions of gamers at thousands of internet cafes and gaming centers
all over the world.
"We are pleased to announce Entropia, the world's most popular virtual
world, as the first software to be delivered to café owners using
Smartlaunch Direct," Global Gaming Factory X AB chief executive Hans
Pandeya states.
Gaming at internet cafes and gaming centers is a rising social phenomena,
as these venues are ideal places for gamers to meet and share information.
Smartlaunch Direct is being fully integrated with the Smartlaunch server
and café administrator, displaying popular games from cafes around the
world. The cafe owner can easily download and install a game on all
computers in the café with a single click using Smartlaunch Direct. In
addition to being convenient for gaming hubs, Smartlaunch also provides
publishers a convenient way of reaching millions of online gamers who visit
thousands of cafes in the Smartlaunch network every month.
"Entropia Universe has been expanding rapidly with over 580,000 registered
users, and now we will be able to reach more of our audience without the
lag of individual download time," states MindArk CIO Marco Behrmann. "This
new partnership with Global Gaming Factory X AB will allow us to share the
Entropia experience with new players who will have the software as an
easily accessible option in their own environment. We look forward to a
prosperous future using Smartlaunch Direct."
About Entropia Universe
The heart of Entropia Universe is a distant planet named Calypso, which
encompasses two continents with animal-filled wildernesses and large
expanding cities that offer a variety of entertainment and social
interaction for its participants. In Entropia, participants can create
their own persona, or avatar, via a character-generation system, and then
have the option of choosing a suitable life and virtual existence for their
avatar. Characters are able to enter the evolving worlds of Entropia
Universe, which are full of unexplored and uncultivated lands. Participants
can join a community or even create a civilization of their own. Entropia
offers a new avenue for individuals to pursue dreams, fantasies, and
adventures in an astoundingly 'real' virtual universe.
In December 2004, Entropia Universe set a world record certified by the
Guinness Book of World Records, when it sold a virtual Treasure Island for
US$26,500, the largest virtual dollar amount spent, to 22-year-old
Australian David Storey, a.k.a. "Deathifier." In October 2005, the sale of
an asteroid-based space resort for US$100,000 to famed gamer, Jon
'NEVERDIE' Jacobs, set a new record for the most valuable virtual item. In
May 2007, MindArk sold five virtual banking licenses for over US$400,000
and among the buyers are real-world banks and financial establishments,
alongside with Entropia participants.
Entropia Universe is a registered trademark of MindArk PE AB. MindArk
supports and monitors the services and maintenance of the Entropia Universe
site. MindArk began in April of 2003 in Sweden, and has expanded to have
partners throughout the world. Entropia Universe was launched in 2003 and
has reached over 580,000 registered accounts. MindArk offers the Entropia
Universe software to users free of charge with no monthly costs or
associated subscription fees. For more information or to download the free
Entropia Universe software please visit www.entropiauniverse.com. For more
information about Entropia Universe's developer, MindArk, please visit
www.mindark.com.
About Global Gaming Factory X AB
Global Gaming Factory X AB has the largest network of internet cafés and
gaming centers in the world with an unprecedented access to the gamer
audience. Global Gaming Factory X AB owns Smartlaunch www.smartlaunch.com
and Celco Software www.cybercafepro.com, the leading European and North
American publishers of cafe management software. Global Gaming Factory X AB
has developed a platform for digital distribution of software, advertising
and services to reach millions of gamers that visit gaming centers every
month. Global Gaming Factory X AB is listed on the Aktietorget stock
exchange in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information please visit
www.globalgamingfactory.com
Contact Information: MEDIA CONTACT:
Elina Heng
Terpin Communications
(310) 821-6100 x108
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