WildTangent Launches First Massively Multiplayer Online Game Channel with OGPlanet's Albatross18

LOS ANGELES, and REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- OGPlanet, the successful massive player online gaming provider and WildTangent, the leading online Games Network, today announced the launch of the first massively multiplayer Online Game Channel.

The explosive growth of massive multiplayer online games (MMOG) has led to the collaboration of these two gaming innovators to offer a more diversified game selection across the WildTangent Game Network http://www.wildtangent.com/ . This unique channel will enable gamers to broaden their gaming experience to include high quality multiplayer games like Albatross18, the popular casual golf simulation game, which currently has more than 10 million loyal players worldwide.

"We are very excited to be pioneering this new massive multiplayer online gaming category with WildTangent in the United States, following on the game's worldwide success," said Tyler Goldman, OGPlanet CEO. "WildTangent offers only the very best games and its broad base of millions of unique gamers each month will impact significantly the adoption of massive multiplayer games like Albatross18 in the U.S."

Albatross18 is the first in a series of massive multiplayer games built on a virtual economy model that OGPlanet plans to introduce to the U.S. and which will be distributed through WildTangent's MMOG channel on the WildTangent Games Network.

"Wild Tangent chose to launch this new online gaming category with OGPlanet in the U.S. because of the success the games have had worldwide and the superior gaming experience Albatross18 provides, with unbelievable multiplayer gaming and graphics that rival those of traditional console games," said Alex St John CEO and Co-Founder of WildTangent. "By providing the ideal balance of both casual games and massive multiplayer experiences, OGPlanet has created the perfect combination for the broadest consumer appeal, all of which can be enjoyed by WildTangent's passionate gamers."

OGPlanet decided to bring casual massive multiplayer games to the U.S. after its huge worldwide success. Known for providing high quality, community- oriented multiplayer games, OGPlanet distinguishes itself from the current pay-for-play or subscription based MMOG offerings by providing games that are completely free to download and play. OGPlanet provides players with the option to customize and personalize the game by purchasing virtual goods such as game pieces, clothing and accessories. OGPlanet's free game play combined with a Second Life-like virtual economy model signifies the evolution of casual game economics and a shift in the entire casual gaming category.

About WildTangent

Founded in 1998, WildTangent is the fastest growing Online Game Network in North America with 7 million unique monthly gamers (comScore November 2006). WildTangent's offering includes over 300 of the most popular online and downloadable games from all the top publishers; WildCoins(TM), an arcade style, per session payment system; a virtual game console, making the discovery of and access to games fast and simple; and an industry leading In Game and Around Game advertising solution. WildTangent's own studio makes a number of the top selling downloadable games, including FATE, Polar Bowler, Penguins and the BlasterBall franchise. All can be found at http://www.wildtangent.com/

The WildTangent Games Console ships directly on the desktops of leading PC manufacturers, representing 25 million new consumer PCs in North America each year. Gamers of all ages and demographics play over 150 million game sessions a month across the WildTangent Games Network

About OG Planet(R)

OGPlanet was founded to bring to the U.S. a series of popular multiplayer, PC games built on a "Second Life-like" model that lets anyone play for free, but offers players the opportunity to purchase game pieces, clothing and accessories. These "Virtual Economy Games" have already attracted tens of millions of players in Asia and are beginning to build a large U.S. audience. OGPlanet is funded by a team of gaming and digital media executives who have worked at leading companies that include DisneyOnline, RealNetworks, GameSpy, Microsoft and LG. The company was co-founded by Jack Liu, Creative Director, and Sangchul Park, President.