NDS Group and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Subsidiary, Broadband Studios to Demonstrate Direct-to-home Broadband On-Demand Interactive Gaming At NAB
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2000--NDS Group, plc (NASDAQ/EASDAQ: NNDS), a News Corporation (NYSE: NWS - news) company, and Broadband Studios, Inc (``BBS'), a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO - news) announced today that they are jointly demonstrating direct-to-home, broadband on-demand interactive multiplayer gaming at the National Association of Broadcasters Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. The demonstration is made possible through the integration of BBS' Jive(TM) server online gaming platform with NDS' MediaStorm(TM) IP data multicasting, accessed over a direct-to-home satellite network.
The joint demonstration at NAB features Aircade, the first game channel in BBS' interactive content service - the PowerPlay Network(TM). The integration of the Jive(TM) platform with NDS' MediaStorm direct-to-home solution is intended to make the PowerPlay Network service available to users of MediaStorm-based data networks. The PowerPlay Network features a click'n'play ``game on-demand' service from a library of hundreds of popular games, a variety of immersive, multi-player gaming channels and full multi-user community services and features.
``This joint demonstration between the NDS and Broadband Studios' is an exciting glimpse into the future of gaming and the distribution of electronic entertainment. Globally, most data broadcasting projects to date have been business to business or distance learning. However, as more and more broadcasters move to digital, I believe that we are about to see data broadcasting to the home come into its own, with the secure and cost-effective delivery of games, music, software and electronic newspapers and magazines,' says Dr. Beth Erez, VP of Marketing, NDS.
``The demonstration of MediaStorm running a service of multiplayer gaming on-demand, configured in a DTH broadband delivery environment, is a great example of the exciting opportunities that can be enabled by a secure data broadcasting system with the versatility of MediaStorm. Data broadcasting can offer new services to customers and will provide network operators with important new revenue streams,' added Erez.
``We know that with the Jive(TM) platform, we have the most progressive multi-user hardware and software package available. The NAB demonstration shows how together with NDS' MediaStorm secure delivery system we can offer consumers an exciting new gaming experience,' says Ramy Weitz, President of Broadband Studios.
``Moving forward, we are investing tremendous efforts into the building of the PowerPlay Network(TM), to co-develop with many publishing partners a full range of exclusive multiplayer Gaming Channels largely based on successful retail games genres and brands. Each of these Gaming Channels will become a unique world with a growing community of users and players, offering them 7/24 service of dynamic environment for entertainment, social services and e-commerce,' added Weitz.
About Jive & the PowerPlay network
The Jive(TM) Platform is a server/client platform designed to offer a combination of multi-user on-demand software applications, enhanced video services, community-building tools, versatile subscription management systems and full scalability to operate within different interactive device platforms and digital networks such as Cable, DSL, Satellite, and Wireless etc. The PowerPlay Network is an online gaming service, which is designed to permit broadband-connected users to join and play in a fully featured persistent gaming channel and community environment. The PowerPlay Network utilizes the Jive(TM) Platform as its technological infrastructure and back end. Its key features are: A Click `n' Play Game-Library - allowing users to play an existing game without ever installing it. The game is streamed over the broadband network using the BBS proprietary Click `n' Play technology, on a pay-per-use or as an added value /affinity building basis. Online Game Channels - online-only games that support thousands of concurrent users, and create an immersive, persistent gaming world. Player Communities - a set of features, which create a true player community environment and allow the players to interact. Major features are chat, scoreboards, tournaments, leagues, messaging, online news, player white pages, sponsorships and more.
About MediaStorm
NDS MediaStorm provides all of the key data broadcasting functions integrated into a single end-to-end system. These include fast file delivery, multicast streaming, high-speed Internet, web caching, and the transmission of MPEG-2 video to PC's. NDS MediaStorm also features comprehensive content management and is fully integrated with Open VideoGuard, NDS's proven conditional access technology. MediaStorm enables broadcasters to offer electronic data, multimedia and video services as well as delivering Business TV to the desktop. MediaStorm can also be used by broadcasters to provide a bureau-like service for content owners and producers who want to maximize their revenues or by companies who need to transmit large amounts of electronic data quickly and securely.
About Broadband Studios, Inc.
Headquartered in London, Broadband Studios, focuses on the creation of broadband interactive entertainment software and technology. BBS intends to market Jive, a proprietary technology platform designed to give high-speed, high-capacity digital broadband network operators the ability to offer ``real-time' interactive games on-demand. BBS develops and publishes original content for next-generation video game consoles under its Rockstar Games brand, and is engaged in the ongoing development of tools and technologies for the delivery of its own games and third-party games to consumers who have, or will have, broadband access. BBS maintains development offices in Tel-Aviv, Toronto, and Edinburgh, U.K., and production, marketing and business development offices in New York City, San Francisco and London.
About NDS Group, plc.
NDS Group plc. (NASDAQ/Easdaq ``NNDS') is a leading supplier of open conditional access software and interactive systems for the secure delivery of entertainment and information to digital TVs, set-top boxes, personal computers and mobile devices. The company also develops e-security solutions for broadband Internet multicasting applications. NDS systems enable broadcasters, content providers and enterprises on the leading edge of the convergence of TV and the Internet to profit from digital TV and interactive services, including integrating and delivering Internet and TV content, data broadcasting and e-commerce transactions. A portfolio of services including consulting, systems design and integration, support and maintenance complements NDS' systems and technologies. NDS customers provide services to over 50 percent of the world's digital satellite subscriber base, and more than 15 million viewers of pay television currently use NDS technologies. NDS, headquartered in the United Kingdom, has offices worldwide, employs over 1,000 people, and continues to make a major commitment to R&D with over 400 employees at research centers in Israel and the United Kingdom. More information can be found at nds.com. NDS' largest shareholder is News Corporation (NYSE ``NWS', ``NSW.A'), a global media and entertainment company.
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is an integrated global developer, marketer, distributor, and publisher of interactive entertainment software games and accessories for the PC, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Boy Color and the Sega Dreamcast. The Company publishes and develops products through various wholly owned subsidiaries including: Rockstar Games, TalonSoft, Joytech and DMA Design. The Company maintains a publishing and distribution partnership with, and 19.9% equity interest in, both Gathering of Developers and Bungie Software. The Company's Jack of All Games value added distribution arm maintains sales and marketing offices in Cincinnati, New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Munich, Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Milan and Sydney. The Company recently formed Broadband Studios, Inc. to independently pursue technology and content opportunities within the emerging world of broadband game delivery.
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Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: risks associated with the Company's future growth and operating results; the ability of the Company to successfully integrate the operations and personnel of newly acquired companies; the availability of adequate sources of financing; credit risks; inventory obsolescence; technological change; competitive factors; product returns; failure of retailers to sell-through the Company's products; and unfavorable general economic conditions, any, or all of which, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. The Company's actual operating results may vary significantly from such forward-looking statements. Take-Two undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained within this press release.
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Contact:
For further information:
Gay Platts/David Bramley Margot Field
Platform NDS
+44 (0)208 964 9149 +44 (0)208 476 8158
NDS@platform.demon.co.uk mfield@ndsuk.com
John Pruzanski
Broadband Studios Inc.
Tel no: +972 3 537 7716
john@broadband-studios.com |
