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CARTOON NETWORK AND AMERICA ONLINE® TEAM TO CREATE 'PROJECT GOLDMASTER'
One Independent Games Festival Finalist Will Be Selected To Develop An Online Game Featuring A Cartoon Network Property
AOL® Games To Utilize AOL® Journals that will Allow Members to Voice Their Opinions Throughout the Development Process
ATLANTA, GA and DULLES, VA - February 26 - Cartoon Network and America Online have joined forces to offer one up-and-coming game developer the opportunity to create an online game featuring a popular Cartoon Network character from series such as Codename: Kids Next Door, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy or Samurai Jack in the first 'Project Goldmaster' program. As part of the Independent Games Festival (IGF), ten finalists will be selected to compete to win the top honor to develop an online game for CartoonNetwork.com's Power Play Games area.
One of the ten finalists will be selected by the Cartoon Network to be the winner of 'Project Goldmaster." The winner will then chronicle the journey to making a game using the Cartoon Network intellectual property on the AOL Journal blogging service. Through the creation of video vignettes, early story boards, screen images and interviews with the game-makers, AOL will also offer gamers an insight view of the creation of a game.
"We know there is a great deal of talent and creativity in the independent gaming community, and ‘Project Goldmaster’ will be a significant opportunity for an up-and-coming developer," said Paul Condolora, vice president and general manager, Cartoon Network New Media. "Cartoon Network has always been focused on attracting new talent, first for our animated series and now to develop interactive games based on our successful properties. We think working with the independent gaming community on Project Goldmaster is a good fit with our mission and will allow millions of Cartoon Network fans the chance to buy and play this game."
"AOL Games' mission is to create compelling and original entertainment for games enthusiasts that goes well beyond the actual game itself, which makes this program an ideal fit," said Matthew Bromberg, vice president and general manager for AOL Games. "Launching the 'Project Goldmaster' program during the Independent Games Festival is the perfect platform for us to reach the right talent, all while documenting this process to give our members a better understanding of what it takes to make it in this competitive business."
In its sixth year, the Independent Games Festival received more than 111 original entries representing 18 countries in two different categories. A panel of 51 narrowed down the field to 20 of the most innovative independent game developers worldwide. Finalist games can be viewed at www.igf.com . AOL Games members will have an opportunity to monitor and discuss the game development process at AOL Games Keyword: Goldmaster. The winner will be announced during the Games Developers Conference, the most important professional development event for the game industry, held March 22-26 in San Jose, Calif.
About The Independent Games Festival The Independent Games Festival was established in 1998 by the CMP Game Group to encourage innovation in game development and to recognize the best independent game developers. The IGF solicits entries from all over the world and finalists are selected by a jury of game developers and industry experts. The festival culminates at the annual Game Developers Conference, March 22-26, 2004 in San Jose, Calif., where finalists demonstrate their games to the game industry and press. Winners will be announced at the IGF awards ceremony on March 24, 2004. For more information, visit http://www.igf.com/.
About AOL Games AOL Games provides access to unique and exclusive high-speed and narrowband programming features for online, PC and console gamers, and provides online games to approximately 10 million AOL members a month, who average more than three hours each month in AOL Games.
About America Online, Inc. America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.
About Cartoon Network New Media and Power Play Games
Cartoon Network New Media is the division of Cartoon Network responsible for CartoonNetwork.com, Cartoon Network Power Play Games and other interactive ventures. CartoonNetwork.com is one of the Internet’s top entertainment sites, featuring games, an online community, e-commerce and programming information. With more than 7 million unique users per month, CartoonNetwork.comis one of the top kids sites, and consistently one of the most visited entertainment sites among all groups on the Web. Cartoon Network Power Play games are downloadable games featuring characters from favorite Cartoon Network shows. Purchased individually and downloaded from CartoonNetwork.com to the owner’s desktop, Power Play Games feature full-screen graphics, bonus levels, new characters, plus the ability to save games and track scores against other players.
About Cartoon Network Cartoon Network, currently seen in 86.2 million U.S. homes and 145 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network showcases unique original ventures such as Codename: Kids Next Door, The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Ed, Edd n Eddy and other Cartoon Cartoons. Cartoon Network also features Adult Swim, a late night block of animation for grown-ups. Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable's highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network's website is located at http://CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network).
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
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