Microsoft to Sponsor World Cyber Games' Global Events Through 2008

    SEOUL, South Korea, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Cyber Games, the
 premier competition for the interactive video game industry, today
 announced that Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360(TM) and Games for Windows(R) will
 sponsor the global tournament through 2008, providing hardware, software,
 and marketing support for the events.
     Microsoft's sponsorship will encompass all WCG events including three
 pan-regional championships, the Korean Championship, the USA Championship
 and the Grand Finals in Monza, Italy (October 18-22). International Cyber
 Marketing, Inc. (ICM) has designated Microsoft as the premier sponsor of
 the WCG.
     Under the terms of the alliance, Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 will be
 the exclusive gaming platforms for the PC and console. Microsoft will
 provide games, consoles, Xbox Live(R) online game service, and peripheral
 equipment for all WCG events. Microsoft will also supply players with
 state-of-the-art consoles at WCG events.
     "We are very happy to announce Microsoft's status as a premier sponsor
 of the WCG for the next three years," said Hank Jeong, CEO of International
 Cyber Marketing. "Microsoft's support for the WCG further validates the
 growing global popularity of e-Sports. Having Microsoft as a partner
 reinforces the WCG's position as a pioneer of competitive gaming and as the
 premier event in global e-Sports."
     "Over the years, we have admired the incredible growth of cybersports
 and WCG's role in expanding the reach of these worldwide tournaments," said
 Peter Moore, corporate vice president, Interactive Entertainment and
 Devices Division, Microsoft. "Because of WCG's history as a truly global
 gaming competition, it was a logical choice to team up with them and extend
 the reach of these events even further."
     The 2006 WCG Grand Final will be held from October 18-22 in Monza,
 Italy, a city famous for its Formula 1 racing tradition. National
 Championships featuring online and offline preliminaries are scheduled to
 start in April and will be held in participating countries.
     About Xbox 360
     Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system,
 delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live
 online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that
 revolve around gamers. The system was first launched in North America,
 Europe and Japan in 2005 and then in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea,
 Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. More information can be
 found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
     About Games for Windows
     Games for Windows are built to harness the powerful technology of
 Windows to provide gamers with the most innovative games possible. Games
 for Windows utilize the performance and stability of Windows to bring
 seriously fun gaming to everyone. Reliability, compatibility and the
 freedom of customization empower gamers to create their own gaming destiny.
 More information is available at http://www.windowsgaming.com.
     About Microsoft
     Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
 software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
 their full potential.
     About the World Cyber Games
     The World Cyber Games (WCG) is an annual global game culture festival
 that was founded in 2000 to promote global harmony through e-sports. With
 the slogan "Beyond the Game," the World Cyber Games has truly developed
 into a global game phenomenon with arguably the largest prize amount at
 stake. The World Cyber Games prides itself on leading the "Digital
 Entertainment Culture." The 2006 WCG Grand Final will be held on October
 18-22, 2006 in Monza, Italy. More information at:
 http://www.worldcybergames.com.
     Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Windows and Xbox Live are either registered
 trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or
 other countries.
     The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
 trademarks of their respective owners.
 
 

SOURCE World Cyber Games