Association of Christian Entertainment Fosters Positive Alternatives to Media Mayhem; Video Game Developers Join Forces to Encourage New Christian Products and Ideas at Upcoming Conference.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Just as the mass media has the power to coarsen society, a growing number of entertainment professionals believe it has the power to uplift it as well. And these pros are putting their careers on the line to prove it.

"It's time we give kids an alternative to the visuals and stories they're seeing today," said Bill Bean, president of the Association of Christian Entertainment (ACE). "The talent, the resources, and the demand is there for top-notch games, movies and TV shows that emphasize values instead of violence, character instead of carnage."

Driven by their resolve to improve the entertainment landscape, the 300-plus members of the ACE support each other with resources, encouragement, connections and ideas. Currently comprised primarily of video game developers and executives, the group encourages membership among writers, producers and others across the entertainment industry. While many ACE members work at established video game companies, others have struck out on their own to create and sell non-violent games. Some, like board member Jay Moore of GarageGames, help game makers ground their companies' products in Christian values.

"When the printing press was invented, it was inspired by the desire to make the Bible accessible to everyone. Today, people of passion who want to share their faith and provide quality entertainment for families are working in one of the most powerful media of our time--the interactive video game," said Moore, marketing and business development head at GarageGames, a publishing label for independent games.

While the Christian video game segment is small compared to the broader industry, many believe it will eventually wield the same clout that Contemporary Christian music does in the music industry. "The industry portfolio of Christian games for computers, Xbox and Playstation is quickly growing," says Bean, who serves as vice president of marketing and sales for Digital Praise Inc., an award-winning developer of Christian themed, family-friendly entertainment software. "Considering the level of talent involved, it's only a matter of time before a breakout title comes along that defines and legitimizes the category."

With each passing season, that dream is becoming more real. Big Idea Incorporated (now owned by Classic Media), creators of the hugely popular Veggie Tales video series, has released five personal computer titles, the most recent being "Minnesota Cuke and the Coconut Apes." "Big Idea has released PC games over the last few years and has been impressed by the market's appetite for Veggie Tales-branded games. We are committed to the family friendly, Christian values based game category and are continuing to develop branded products to add to our catalog," said Greg Fritz, Marketing VP for Big Idea Inc.

Other Christian game companies are achieving success as well. Digital Praise has brought seven successful products to market; its Dance Praise dance arcade game, which features Christian rock artists and a host of innovative dance features, has been a hit with teens and youngsters alike. Left Behind Games has developed "LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces," the first PC game based on the Left Behind(R) series of books by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which have become one of the top-selling fiction series of all time.

Major Event

"LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces," which is expected to be released the second half on this year, is among the many new video and board games which will debut at the ACE's 2006 Christian Game Developers Conference, to be held May 17th-19th at Warner Pacific College in Portland. Troy Lyndon, President of Left Behind Games, and Bill Reeves, Director of Entertainment Products for Tommy Nelson, the kids' division of Thomas Nelson Inc., will be the keynote speakers at this year's conference.

In addition to showcasing the latest values-based entertainment, the conference will feature talks and workshops on game development, marketing, channel development and other business and spiritual topics. Entertainment professionals from around the world are expected to attend, including individuals from the United Kingdom, Australia, Egypt, China, Korea, Brazil and Nigeria.

The association and conference were founded through the efforts and vision of Tim Emmerich and his wife Jane. Tim, principal of GraceWorks Interactive, serves as an ACE board member and is the director of the conference. He states the ACE conference is immensely helpful for entrepreneurs as well as established firms seeking to market Christian games. "By networking at this event, individuals and companies can discover resources in programming, art, manufacturing and marketing. This is a group of people who are incredibly willing to share their knowledge and connections to develop the category," Emmerich noted. "I would personally like to invite any Christian working in the video game industry, as well as those who are creating or working on their own Christian game ideas, to attend this year's conference and get connected."

A number of companies are helping sponsor the ACE 2006 Christian Game Developers conference, including patron benefactors Via Technologies and FIC. Sponsor include Boanerges Studios, Dallas Audio Post, Digital Praise, Game Instinct, GarageGames, GraceWorks Interactive, Inspired Idea, Left Behind Games, Micro Forte'-Big World, Rebel Planet Creations, and White Knight Games.

Industry Change

Despite the number of high quality Christian games currently on store shelves or in the pipeline, Moore, Bean, Emmerich and the rest of the ACE leadership say their work is just beginning. "The most exciting thing is that very dedicated people are sharing their passion for games that deliver a better message," Moore declares. "This is beyond the idea stage. Like Christian music, we're not stopping until there is a whole section in the mass retail stores dedicated to Christian gaming."

To learn more about the ACE, visit the association's Web site at www.GameAce.org. For information about attending this year's Christian Game Developers Conference, log on to www.cgdc.org. Those looking to connect into the portal of Christian gaming can point their browsers to www.icgda-portal.org for more information.

About the Association of Christian Entertainment (ACE):

The Association of Christian Entertainment is a non-profit professional community that is committed to advancing Christian entertainment and enhancing the lives of creative Christian game developers, writers, musicians, artists, producers and publishers. The ACE accomplishes its mission by connecting members with their peers, by promoting professional development, and by advocating on issues that affect the professional Christian community. For more information on the ACE, please visit www.GameAce.org or email us at [e-mail].