LeapFrog Introduces New Web-Connected Gaming Handhelds |
| LeapFrog Introduces New Web-Connected Gaming Handhelds. (PRNewsFoto/LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.)
EMERYVILLE, CA UNITED STATES | |||
Setting the New Standard in Educational Gaming, Leapster2 and Didj(TM)
Provide Parents with Exclusive Access to Kids' Educational Progress
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LeapFrog
Enterprises, Inc., a leading developer of technology-based learning
products, today announced two new web-connected video game systems that are
tied to the proprietary LeapFrog(R) Learning Path. The Leapster2 Learning
Game System, the latest handheld in the popular Leapster(R) family, expands
the gameplay online with fun activities and rewards that encourage
continued play while allowing parents to see what their child is learning
and share in their accomplishments. The online capabilities in the all-new
Didj Custom Gaming System connect gameplay with schoolwork, allowing
grade-schoolers to customize the game with spelling lists, math problems
and more.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080205/AQTU109)
"LeapFrog is the leader in educational handheld gaming and now with
Leapster2 and Didj, we are offering parents and kids even more choice and
capability," said Christian Cocks, vice president of gaming at LeapFrog.
"Kids want to play video games, and as parents we want them to get the most
from that experience. Our new Leapster2 and Didj handhelds are products
that parents can feel good about and that kids can have a terrific time
playing."
The Bestselling Educational Gaming Handheld Just Got Better
Four years ago LeapFrog broke ground with the original Leapster
handheld, and since then nearly 5 million Leapster family hardware units
and over 14 million software titles have sold in the United States. In
addition to creating age-appropriate educational games, LeapFrog was the
first to recognize that four- to eight-year-olds are still developing fine
motor skills. Ergonomically designed to accommodate smaller hands, a bigger
D-pad and larger buttons as well as an attached stylus made the Leapster
handheld kid-friendly, as did offering relevant learning games that can be
played with only a stylus.
The Leapster2 system offers a sleek new form for enjoying new games
such as the exclusive educational game license for Star Wars: The Clone
Wars or the summer 2008 Disney/Pixar blockbuster WALL E. As with the
original Leapster system, the Leapster2 handheld auto-levels, adjusting
games to children's particular skills and progress, so players are
appropriately challenged. The Leapster2 handheld's new online connectivity
allows parents a window into their child's accomplishments, while kids earn
rewards to encourage continued playing and learning.
Taking Customized Learning to a New Level
When kids are ready to graduate from the Leapster system, the Didj
handheld is the smart option to extend the learning. The first totally
customizable educational gaming platform, the Didj system lets kids
personalize the look and feel of the games, from designing their avatars to
choosing background scenery, color schemes and music.
Beyond making visual customizations, parents and kids can customize the
learning content on the Didj handheld, connecting gameplay with schoolwork.
For example, a custom spelling list can be created from the 10,000-word
database, giving kids the ability to practice for next week's test while
playing the classic Sonic the Hedgehog. The Didj system supports what kids
are learning in school and lets them practice skills in a fun way-through
gaming.
Built for discerning six- to ten-year-olds, the Didj system offers high
resolution graphics presented on a 3.2 inch LCD screen featuring 16.7
million color TFT on a 320x240 display. Perceptive players also will
appreciate the processing speed (ARM 9 @ 393 MHz), which is comparable to
that of other handhelds on the market today. In addition to processing game
logic, the combined 32 bit ARM and 256MB Flash memories ensure
high-quality, real-time audio decompression and playback.
Learning is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Also launching this summer is LeapFrog's proprietary Learning Path, a
free online tool at leapfrog.com that interfaces with LeapFrog products to
show parents what their child is learning and how their activities or games
map back to the Scope and Sequence of educational skills that LeapFrog has
always built into every product.
Based on an award-winning LeapFrog School product used by teachers
across the United States to individualize assessment and instruction, each
time parents connect their Leapster2 or Didj system, they can see how
education comes to life for their child -- the games their child has been
playing, the skills they have been practicing and the progress they have
been making.
This information populates each child's personalized LeapFrog Learning
Path profile, empowering parents with insights into what excites their
children, and letting them know where their kids may be struggling and in
need of extra attention.
AVAILABILITY
The Didj system will be available in the summer of 2008 with an MSRP of
$89.99. The Didj system software library offers nine learning games during
launch year, with an MSRP of $29.99 each. The Leapster2 handheld will be
available in the summer of 2008 with an MSRP of $69.99. Five new Leapster
system games will be available at the launch of the Leapster2 platform,
with refreshed versions of 10 of the most popular legacy titles available;
all are optimized for the Leapster2 handheld's LeapFrog Learning Path
connectivity. The entire 33-title Leapster library is compatible with the
full Leapster family of Learning Game Systems. All Leapster titles MSRP at
$24.99.
About LeapFrog
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is a leading designer, developer, and
marketer of innovative, technology-based learning products and related
proprietary content, dedicated to making learning effective and engaging
for all ages, at home and in schools, around the world. The company was
founded in 1995 and is based in Emeryville, California. LeapFrog has
developed a family of learning platforms that come to life with more than
100 interactive software titles, covering important subjects such as
phonics, reading, writing, math, music, geography, social studies,
spelling, vocabulary, and science. In addition, the company has created a
broad line of stand-alone educational products for children from birth to
16 years. LeapFrog's award-winning U.S. consumer products are available in
six languages at major retailers in more than 35 countries around the
world. LeapFrog School's multisensory products currently reach students in
more than 100,000 classrooms across the United States. LeapFrog School is a
business division of LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
LeapFrog, DIDJ and LEAPSTER are trademarks or registered trademarks of
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their
respective owners. Copyright(C) 2008 LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. All rights
reserved.
Media contacts:
Mischa Dunton Jenna Martin
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. Kaplow Communications
510-596-5441 212-221-1713
mdunton@leapfrog.com jmartin@kaplowpr.com
SOURCE LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
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Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080205/AQTU109
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org AP PhotoExpress
Network: PRN21 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Mischa Dunton of LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.,
+1-510-596-5441, mdunton@leapfrog.com; or Jenna Martin of Kaplow
Communications, +1-212-221-1713, jmartin@kaplowpr.com, for
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
