'Mortimer Beckett and the Time Paradox' available today for free; other popular titles to follow every day
SEATTLE, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Beginning today, customers can
download and keep a different game every day -- for free -- at GameHouse.com,
a premier casual games site that is part of digital entertainment services
company RealNetworks(R), Inc. (Nasdaq: RNWK). The free game daily will be a
full version of an audience favorite or new title that customers can download
and play whenever they want. This industry first is part of a major site
redesign that also includes the unveiling of a completely new value-pricing
structure for customers.
"Today's customers are dramatically more value conscious, and we've seen a
growing demand for top-quality games at great prices," said John Barbour, the
newly appointed president of the Games Division at Real. "This new value
pricing gives existing customers more ways to enjoy popular games, while
providing an even better experience to attract a broader audience."
In addition to the free game daily, customers will also discover a more
customizable and easy-to-enjoy game experience. A diverse catalogue of premium
titles at a range of price points offers something for everyone, whether a
dedicated or first-time casual game player:
-- Free game daily: Anyone can download the free game title every day
with no obligation. "Mortimer Becket and the Time Paradox," today's free game,
is the sequel to one of the hottest casual games of '07 and has had the most
successful first week of sales this year across Real's portals. Customers can
learn about the free game by visiting GameHouse.com.
-- GameHouse Club(TM): The best new option for devoted casual gamers,
GameHouse Club offers a variety of FunTicket(TM) packages for maximum playing
value with prices starting at only $5.99 per game, and early access to
tomorrow's free game, today.
-- FunPass(R): This popular subscription is still available, giving
players unlimited access to every game on the site for the duration of their
FunPass membership. Existing FunPass customers will notice improved features
and even deeper discounts on purchased titles, while maintaining the same
access to GameHouse's premium catalogue of titles.
Casual games are family friendly and easy-to-learn but often difficult to
master. They provide players with a fun break from the stresses and rigors of
daily life and offer a mental workout that is both stimulating and relaxing.
Played on personal computers, mobile devices and living room consoles, casual
games include board, word and hidden-object games and puzzles. According to a
recent survey by ISG, 85 percent of RealNetworks' North American gaming portal
customers are female, with 73 percent between the ages of 30 and 60.
RealNetworks helped pioneer the casual games segment with the introduction
of RealArcade(R) in 2001, followed by the acquisition of GameHouse(R) Studios
in 2004. Today, RealNetworks' Games Division is a leader in the casual games
industry worldwide, with a vertically integrated development, publishing,
licensing, distribution and retail business.
RNWK-G
ABOUT REALNETWORKS
RealNetworks, Inc. delivers digital entertainment services to consumers
via PC, portable music player, home entertainment system and mobile phone.
Real created the streaming media category in 1995 and has continued to lead
the market with pioneering products and services, including: RealPlayer(R),
the first mainstream media player to enable one-click downloading and
recording of Internet video; the award-winning Rhapsody(R) digital music
service, which delivers more than 1 billion songs per year; RealArcade, one of
the largest casual games destinations on the Web; and a variety of mobile
entertainment services, such as ringback tones, offered to consumers through
leading wireless carriers around the world. RealNetworks' corporate
information is located at www.realnetworks.com/company.
RealNetworks, GameHouse, GameHouse Club, FunPass, FunTicket, RealArcade,
Rhapsody and RealPlayer are registered trademarks or trademarks of
RealNetworks, Inc. or its wholly owned subsidiary.