TvHead Announces Dedicated Games Channel, Games Aggregation Services For Cable Operators.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LOS ALTOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2003

Games Channel Brand Name Content Partners To Include Midway(R) Games, PopCap Games(TM) and Gamer.tv(TM)

TvHead(TM), Inc., a content aggregation company founded by video games industry executives to provide brand name interactive entertainment to digital set-top boxes, today announced licensing agreements with major games creators and the details of a dedicated games channel as part of a suite of services for cable system operators.

The TvHead Games channel, a full service destination for games enthusiasts that can be deployed as an operator-branded service or as a standalone channel, will offer more than 40 single and multi-player games at launch in Q1, 2004, as well as a wide range of community features, including Tournaments, High-Score Boards, and Chat Sessions. In addition to the games channel, TvHead will offer games aggregation services designed to assist cable operators creating their own games services to maximize subscriber use and revenue.

TvHead has secured agreements with some of the games sector's most popular brands, including Midway(R) Games, PopCap Games(TM), and Gamer.tv(TM). The company has the rights to develop a diverse library of brand name titles including award winning online games Diamond Mine(TM) and Bookworm(TM), compelling multiplayer game Dinky Bomb(TM), and classic arcade hits Rampage(R), Gauntlet(R) and SmashTV(R) for interactive television delivery. The company currently is working with ICTV(TM) on the development of content for ICTV's HeadendWare(R) centralized digital interactive platform.

"This is the first of several partner releases over the coming months as we rapidly build up our games library," said Sangita Verma, founder and CEO of TvHead "We know the power of games, and have the expertise to bring them to the cable industry. Satellite services have already launched - and are expanding - iTV games offerings. With its two-way infrastructure, cable is in a unique position to capitalize on that proven market sector. At a time when the industry is under increased competitive pressures, real-time, two-way gaming offers significant subscriber acquisition and retention possibilities."

"Gaming revenues via interactive television have been projected to be as high as $2.7 billion by 2006," added Robert Craig, founder and chief creative officer of TvHead. "Interactive television offers cable system operators a way to immediately gain a share of that revenue."

Managed and operated by TvHead, Inc., the TvHead channel caters to casual gamers with a menu that includes easy-to-play puzzle, trivia and card games; popular board games; entertaining educational titles; and classic arcade games that enable cable operators to generate additional revenues by providing popular brand name games. TvHead has developed patent-pending technologies that enhance interactive television features, including chat and multiplayer gaming.

Consumers access the TvHead Games Channel with their remote control just as they would any other channel. TvHead games are designed and developed to take advantage of television's platform capabilities, with intuitive remote control play, rich TV graphics and high-quality music and sounds. All games are extensively play-tested to balance challenge with ease-of-play.

TvHead's Games Aggregation service enables cable system operators building their own games service increase return on investment by providing the highest quality subscriber experience across multiple games and vendors. Utilizing its proprietary technology, TvHead ensures standard menus and navigation, thorough testing for playability and ease of use, consistency in points and prizing, leader boards, multiplayer, tournament and community features. Additionally, TvHead technology tracks usage by game to provide operators with accurate royalty payment reports.

"Based on our experience of creating and distributing games for the console, PC, Internet, handheld and wireless platforms, we know that games will be a successful revenue generator for cable operators," said Verma, "But the difference between having a 5% business and a 20% business is execution. The consumer mindset in front of the TV is different from when they are in front of a PC. Consistency and ease of play experience are critical for cable operators to be able to maximize games revenue."

TvHead's founding executives, Verma and Rob Craig, have more than 30 years in the games business. As general manager of the Handheld Business Unit and director of Worldwide Syndication for Midway Games, Verma was fully responsible for all aspects of business unit management including strategic planning, business development, software development and production, and marketing management for the company's Internet, Interactive Television, Wireless, and GameBoy(R)Advance divisions. Previously, as group marketing director for Panasonic Interactive Media, she helped establish the Ripcord Games brand and launched the first commerce site for Matsushita Electric Corp. Verma began her career in the games industry with Data East Corporation in 1990. After establishing and managing the company's European office, she returned to the United States in 1994 and worked as a consultant to leading games companies including Psygnosis, a Sony company; Imotion (now Atari); and Capcom.

Throughout more than 18 years in the videogames industry, Rob Craig has designed and created games for dozens of gaming platforms starting with the TRS-80 computer, Commodore 64, Atari 2600 and expanding to Internet, wireless, location-based systems and interactive television. As the No. 3 hire at Sony Computer Entertainment, Craig helped launch the Playstation hardware. Craig began his gaming career in 1982 when he sold his first TRS-80 game at the age of 17. Since then he has worked with several leading game companies including Atari, Sony, Sega, Activision, Data East, and Midway Games.

About TvHead

TvHead, Inc. was founded in May 2003 with a clear mission: to become a single-source content aggregator that delivers world-class branded games and content to cable and satellite operators. With a rapidly growing portfolio of licensed brand games - from classic arcade games like Rampage, Gauntlet and SmashTV to online megahits like Diamond Mine, Dynomite and Bookworm -- TvHead has positioned itself as the foremost provider of branded single and multiplayer interactive television games. Partners include Midway Games, Popcap Games, Gamer.tv, and ICTV.

Diamond Mine, Bookworm, Dynomite and PopCap Games are trademarks of PopCap Games, Inc. Rampage and SmashTV are trademarks of Midway Amusement Games Inc. Gauntlet is a trademark of Midway Games West, Inc. Midway and Midway logos are trademarks of Midway Games Inc. Dinky Bomb and Gamer.tv are trademarks of Gamer.TV Ltd.