WEST CHESTER, Pa., May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Electronics Boutique Holdings
Corp. (Nasdaq: ELBO) today announced that it has entered into an exclusive
e-commerce relationship with Microsoft's MSN Gaming Zone, which will establish
EBWorld.com as the exclusive retailer for the MSN Gaming Zone. This
partnership calls for EBWorld.com to create MSN Game Shops and provide MSN's
14 million Gaming Zone members with the opportunity to purchase games and
access special offers.
Individuals playing demo or beta versions of popular games on the MSN Zone
will be led to EBWorld.com to purchase full product versions. In addition,
MSN Zone members can purchase software in customized MSN Game Shops that link
to EBWorld.com product pages. These product pages also contain links to
EBWorld.com customer reviews and exclusive game news and reviews from IGN.com.
"Our exclusive relationship with Microsoft allows us to diversify our
audience, giving us greater access to the classic, sports and multiplayer
gaming communities," said Seth Levy, president, EBWorld.com. "We are already
well-known among the avid gamers and we welcome the exposure to a wider
audience through the MSN Gaming Zone -- the leading multiplayer gaming
destination on the Internet."
"With the EBWorld.com relationship, MSN Zone players now can easily
purchase games and have access to great special offers. This is clearly a
valuable resource for the growing audience of gamers on the Zone," stated Dean
Hachamovitch, product unit manager for the MSN Gaming Zone.
The relationship between EBWorld.com and the Zone began in October of 1999
with a promotion for the best-selling game, Asheron's Call. The success of
this special pre-order promotion led to discussions of a more integrated
partnership.
EBWorld.com is the e-commerce division of Electronics Boutique. In
addition to providing the ability to purchase on-line a wide variety of
today's hottest games and products, the http://www.ebworld.com site offers detailed
product reviews, game previews, new release schedules, product notification
services, industry news and advanced search capabilities to a worldwide
audience of game enthusiasts.
Electronics Boutique is among the world's largest specialty retailers of
video and computer games and also sells video game hardware, PC productivity
software and accessories. The company currently operates 631 stores in
46 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and South Korea, primarily under the
names Electronics Boutique and Stop 'N Save Software.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Electronics
Boutique ("EB") is including this statement for the express purpose of
availing itself of the protections of the safe harbor provided by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to all such
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
These risks include, but are not limited to, EB's dependence on the continued
introduction of new and enhanced video games and PC hardware and software; the
cyclical nature of the video game market; the rapid technological changes
which occur in the video game and PC industry; EB's ability to open and
operate new stores on a profitable basis; the intensely competitive nature of
the electronic game industry and its rapid changes in consumer preferences and
frequent new product introductions; the seasonal nature of the retail
industry; EB's dependence on its suppliers for products; risks inherent to
conducting international operations; and consumer spending patterns and
prevailing economic conditions. Please refer to Electronics Boutique's Annual
Report on Form 10-K on file with the SEC for a more detailed discussion of
these and other risks that could cause results to differ materially.
SOURCE Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.ebworld.com
CONTACT:
John R. Panichello, Chief Financial Officer
of Electronics Boutique, 610-430-8100, or Seth Levy, President of
EBWorld.com, 610-430-8100
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