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Mad Catz + Boonty = downloadable games

by: John -
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The folks at Mad Catz has signed a deal with Boonty to enable downloadable games via GameShark.com. Beginning on April 22, you should be able to hit the site and get some games through them for your PC. On a related note, where's the Phantom?
Mad Catz Signs Deal with Boonty; GameShark.com to Begin Selling Downloadable Games Online

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2005--Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), the world's leading third-party video game accessory provider, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Boonty, a global leader in the downloadable games business, to enable a digital distribution game channel on GameShark.com. Through the multi-year agreement with Boonty, Mad Catz has obtained the rights to sell hundreds of downloadable games from major game publishers. The new site is scheduled to launch on April 22, 2005.

GameShark.com is one of the premier video game websites on the Internet. The site provides over one million unique monthly readers with content daily, including the latest GameShark cheat codes for all GameShark products, industry information and news, game reviews, hints and guides, and other game-related content. This marks gameshark.com's first foray into direct-to-consumer game software sales.

Boonty provides fully customized gaming solutions for leading ISPs, portals and Internet communities. Boonty has launched and maintains over 70 private label downloadable game channels, servicing over 300 million unique users. Boonty has digital distribution licensing agreements with leading publishers of hardcore/enthusiast games such as Ubisoft, Atari, as well as premium publishers of casual games, such as GameHouse and Wild Tangent.

"Our agreement with Boonty illustrates our commitment to expand our Gameshark brand and to create new revenue streams by providing innovative product offerings. Our downloadable games channel will provide the Gameshark community with on-demand access to today's hottest PC game titles," said Darren Richardson, President and CEO of Mad Catz Interactive. "By delivering downloadable games on gameshark.com, we expect to extend our market reach within the PC gaming category and provide an additional sales channel within our GameShark division."

"Joining forces with Mad Catz provides a targeted market for publishers to promote digital sales of front-line game releases," commented Romain Nouzareth, Boonty CEO. "From an industry perspective, casual game sales revenues still represent a greater share of download sales. However, we want to help transform the industry to the point where brand managers at leading video game publishers strategically include initiatives involving digital distribution in their product launch plans. This will help re-align how consumers buy their games."

For more information, visit www.gameshark.com or www.madcatz.com. More information about Boonty can be found at www.boonty.com.