Archive for January, 2009

RAPTR, NHN USA Partner to Help Players Connect Across ijji.com’s Suite of Free-to-Play Games

Raptr’s Innovative Client Now Bundled with ijji.com’s Popular Gunbound Revolution, More Games to Come

Mountain View, Calif. – Jan. 22, 2009 Raptr (http://raptr.com), the company that helps connect people who like to play and discover games, today announced a partnership with NHN USA, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Korea’s leading Internet company NHN (KOSDAQ: 035420) and the company behind ijji.com (http://www.ijji.com), the premier online hardcore free-to-play gaming portal.  The very popular Gunbound Revolution will be the first game to include the Raptr client, with more ijji.com titles to soon follow. This partnership will expose ijji.com to a vast new gaming audience as well as expand the already impressive list of titles Raptr users can play while tracking their own and their friend’s achievements.

Raptr’s goal is to make games more social and is the first service to allow people to view, in real-time, the games that their friends are playing and what they’re accomplishing in those games.  That information can also be broadcast to the user’s friends on a variety of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.  Through this partnership with NHN USA, Raptr users will be able to surface their game play of Gunbound Revolution and other games as well as discover other people within Raptr’s network who are playing NHN USA games.   The Raptr client allows players to feel connected to their favorite games even when they aren’t playing them, keeping users more engaged and encouraging them to play the games more frequently.  Integrations with additional NHN USA games will follow in the coming weeks and include Drift City, Soldier Front, and Gunz – The Duel.

“This partnership marks Raptr’s growth both geographically and with our game offerings. We’re excited to make our client available in conjunction with such an established worldwide gaming brand as NHN USA looks to raise the profile of their games through our growing community,” said Dennis Fong, CEO of Raptr.  “This partnership will drive new installations and trials of NHN USA games by showing users, through Raptr, that their friends and extended network are playing them as well. The visibility our service provides across multiple social media sites also lends itself to increased awareness of all games from NHN USA.”

NHN USA’s game portal, ijji.com, is one of North America’s most popular destinations for free-to-play online games with nearly seven million unique registered gamers. The company hosts a diverse suite of hardcore online games each with an optional micro-transaction currency model that enables players to enhance their gaming experiences by purchasing in-game items.  

“We are committed to providing all players with advanced capabilities to communicate, share, and discover through one another, no matter their location,” said Philip Yun, CEO, NHN USA. “Partnering with Raptr allows us to promote ourselves through an engaged community of players that are interested in discovering new and interesting games to play. Raptr’s innovative service allows us to do identify and support these players seamlessly with our suite of games.”

About Raptr
Raptr is a free service that helps connect people who like to play and discover games and is available at http://raptr.com.  Our goal is to make playing games more fun and social by letting you:

* Know when your friends are playing

* Share your achievements automatically

* Discover new games you might like

* Update your games automatically

* Display your gaming identities in one place

Raptr is the first service to automatically let you know when your friends are playing games in real-time across multiple platforms and the first service to automatically allow you to share your gaming activity with your friends on Raptr and other popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Additionally, the Raptr client software is distributed through a variety of channels in the gaming industry that include Activision’s Call of Duty: World at War, Lighthouse Interactive, and NHN USA.  Raptr was founded in 2007 by Xfire co-founder and world champion gamer Dennis Fong. The company is made up of people who love to play games and has raised over $12 million dollars in funding from investors that include Accel Partners and The Founders Fund.

For more information, please go to http://raptr.com.

About NHN USA

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., NHN USA, Inc. (www.nhnusainc.com) is the North American subsidiary of Korea’s leading Internet company NHN (KOSDAQ: 035420).  Founded in 2006, NHN USA has quickly emerged as a premier online entertainment publisher. The company’s game portal ijji.com (www.ijji.com), which boasts seven million unique registered gamers, hosts a diverse suite of free-to-play online games each with an optional micro-currency model that enables players to enhance their gaming experiences by purchasing in-game items.  ijji.com’s extensive game portfolio includes GUNZ The Duel®, SOLDIER FRONT™, GUNBOUND® Revolution, DRIFT CITY™, LUMINARY Rise of the GoonZu™, Rohan: Blood Feud, and Lunia, and will soon include the highly-anticipated Unreal Engine 3-based massively multiplayer online first-person shooting (MMOFPS) game Huxley.

 ###

New Health Energy Potion Energy Shot Enhances Gaming Sessions

Harcos’ Sequel to Mana Energy Potion Boosts Mortals’ Hit Points with Natural Herbs and Vitamins, Adds Fuel to their Gaming Fire

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. – Jan. 21, 2009 – Fighting epic battles and embarking on mystical quests can be exhausting and draining, but Harcos’ new Health Energy Potion restores gamers’ energy levels so they can storm back onto the battlefield and conquer adversaries once more. From the two gamers behind the best-selling Mana Energy Potion, the long-anticipated follow up, Health Energy Potion, is now available for gamers everywhere in need of 5-8 hours of smooth, powerful energy, packed in a portable 1.69 oz bottle. 

Health Energy Potion possesses a mellow apple-cinnamon flavor and packs helpful natural herbs, such as elderberry and ginseng, and the vitamins biotin and folic acid. With no sugar added, mortals won’t fear the dreaded after crash associated with many other energy shots. Each magical bottle of Health Energy Potion looks like it’s straight out of a video game, and is sure to add +160 to gamers’ HP.

“We heard the cries and read the emails from gamers and geeks alike for a sequel to Mana Energy Potion, and Health Energy Potion is the perfect complimentary energy shot,” said Aaron Rasmussen, co-founder, Harcos. “Whether you’re a hardcore gamer needing more ‘umph’ for an epic quest or frag fest, or just need a pick-me-up in the middle of the day, Health Energy Potion has the fuel required to fight all your battles ‘til the apple-cinnamon flavored end.”

Health Energy Potion features:

  • 5-8 hours of smooth energy
  • Apple-cinnamon flavor
  • No sugar, no after crash
  • Elderberry, ginseng, biotin and folic acid
  • As much caffeine as two cans of Red Bull

Health Energy Potion provides hardcore gamers with the essential energy boost to set out and conquer any thrilling gaming voyage imaginable.  With a suggested MSRP of $3.45 per shot, Health Energy Potion is available for immediate order at www.manapotions.com, and will soon be available at retailers Fry’s Electronics, Hot Topic, Micro Center and ThinkGeek.com, among others.

About Elderberries

Elderberry is a dark berry that grows in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Traditionally, the berry has been used in health potions and to provide protection from witches. Cutting down an elderberry tree, on the other hand, is said to release a perturbed spirit named the Elder Mother. An old poem even says, “Elder be the Lady’s tree, burn it not or cursed ye’ll be.” It is also said that the tree could be safely cut while chanting a rhyme to the Elder Mother. When you open a new bottle of Health Energy Potion, it’s recommended to chant: “Full my HP bar may be, sorry I cut down your stupid elder tree.”

About Harcos, Inc.

Based in Santa Monica, Calif., Harcos was founded by two gamer geeks who discovered a niche at the intersection where gaming and consumer products merge with the launch of their first vitamin/energy beverage, Mana Energy Potion. Each magical bottle of Mana Energy Potion looks like it’s straight out of a video game and is filled with a bright blue liquid that adds +160 to mana, packs a powerful dose of vitamins and delivers up to eight hours of smooth energy without sugar or an after crash. The company’s follow up, Health Energy Potion, possesses a mellow apple-cinnamon flavor and is jam-packed with natural herbs, such as elderberry and ginseng, and the vitamins biotin and folic acid, while providing the same 5-8 hours of smooth, powerful energy with no sugar or after crash. Additional information is available at www.manapotions.com.

# # #

WComms’ CEO Jason Wonacott Featured in Feb issue of Entrepreneur

Wonacott Communications’ CEO Jason Wonacott is featured in the cover story for the February 2009 issue of Entrepreneur.  One of three entrepreneurs profiled in the article, “Laid off in 2008? Start a Business in 2009,”  Jason provides insight on starting a business following a lay off.  One of the key tips he recommends is being proactive and laying out a clear strategy on how you will succeed in the new venture.  Jason started WComms in early 2007 as his former employer, online video game publisher Webzen America, was downsizing.  He proposed that the company hire his burgeoning agency to handle their PR on a modest retainer, thus saving Webzen the overhead of having a Director-level PR person while maintaining great visbility.  Webzen agreed, and became WComms’ first client.  The agency was Webzen’s strategic PR partner through the end of 2008, until they were acquired by NHN.  Coincidentally, NHN’s U.S. office, NHN USA, became a WComms client in June 2008.

Fetch! Hotel For Dogs Video Game Now Available at Retail

505 Games Releases New Game Based On the Feature Film HOTEL FOR DOGS from DreamWorks Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies 

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2009 – Dog lovers, get ready to romp with, feed and pamper an endearing collection of canines!  HOTEL FOR DOGS, the video game based on the upcoming feature film “HOTEL FOR DOGS” from DreamWorks Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies, is now available for the Nintendo® Wii, Nintendo DS™ and Windows-based PC.  From 505 Games, HOTEL FOR DOGS is an exciting adventure for young and old alike, with an irresistible cast of adorable dogs. 

Following the movie, the HOTEL FOR DOGS video game takes players into the old hotel to help two siblings, Andi and Bruce, feed and entertain an adorable collection of canines by building amazing gadgets, playing with the pooches and keeping the dogs happy in their new hotel home.  Navigating through 10 levels of fun and challenging game play, players must accomplish various goals to keep their beloved canines healthy and amused.  Players will even explore the areas outside of the hotel as they attempt to locate and rescue additional pups in need of some major TLC.

Distributed by Paramount Pictures, the live-action “HOTEL FOR DOGS” stars Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon and Don Cheadle in a smart, funny comedy adventure that shows how far love and imagination can take you.

HOTEL FOR DOGS video game features

  • Experience what you see in the movie. HOTEL FOR DOGS features the likenesses and voices of the movie’s two young stars, Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin, and dozens of the dogs and the hotel seen in the live-action feature film
  • Dogs. Lots and lots of dogs.  Feed, groom and play with dozens of adorable playful pups seen in the movie
  • Challenging game play.  Navigate through 10 levels of challenging and exciting game play; each level requiring players to complete three basic goals to keep the lovable dogs happy
  • Wacky gadgets.  Search for parts and tools to build more than a dozen amazing gadgets that help players take care of and entertain the dogs
  • Cold-hearted dog catchers. Save your furry friends from the mean dog catcher and rescue pups from the pound
  • Monitor moods, use commands.  Monitoring the dogs’ moods can help keep them happy – moods include hungry, play, bathroom, sick, hot, thirsty, brush, cold and upset; using real-life commands – such as sit, stay and fetch – players can help address the dogs’ moods
  • Alley exploration and rescues.  Players venture outside the hotel to rescue lost dogs in the side alleyways and bring them back to the hotel

Rated “E” for Everybody, the HOTEL FOR DOGS video game is available at retailers around the U.S. with family friendly MSRPs of $39.99 for the Nintendo® Wii and $29.99 for the Nintendo DS™.  For more information, visit www.hotelfordogsthegame.com.

ABOUT 505 GAMES (U.S.)

Based in Los Angeles, 505 Games (U.S.) is the North American division of 505 Games, a global videogame publisher. The U.S. operations launched in May 2008 to bring quality interactive entertainment to North America on all game platforms, including Microsoft Xbox 360Ô, Sony PlayStationÒ 2, PlayStationÒ 3, PSP, Nintendo WiiÔ and DS, as well as PC, online and mobile.  The company’s management team hails from the leaders in global entertainment, including major motion picture studios, videogame publishers and leading game development studios. With the company’s deep experience and proven success in interactive entertainment worldwide, 505 Games is looking to drive the industry forward with innovative game experiences that integrate next-generation game play, immersive stories and integrated brands that can take the business to a new level.  The company offers a broad selection of videogame titles in all genres for players of all ages.

ABOUT PARAMOUNT DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT

Paramount Digital Entertainment (PDE) is a division of Paramount Pictures Corporation. PDE develops and distributes filmed entertainment across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices, videogames, virtual worlds and emerging technologies.

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies.  PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution. 

 # # #

Category List