“Empire of Sports” to be launched by the end of 2007 as the first virtual online multi-sports world
Sport:
Empire of Sports (EoS) is the world’s first massive multi-player online role-playing game platform (MMORPG) built entirely around sports. It is designed to allow millions of players around the world to simultaneously exist in a persistent online universe, where their avatars socially interact, train, compete, attend events and acquire the goods and services they need to build a parallel sporting existence.
An innovative approach to bring a revolutionary experience to gamers
Building on the unprecedented rise of persistent gaming worlds like World of Warcraft, Empire of Sports opens up a completely new realm to gamers and online users: the exciting and thrilling world of sports. In the centre of the gamer’s attention is its virtual representation in the sports world, the avatar or player character. The player assumes the role of a single player character throughout the entire game, which will result in an up to now unimagined gaming experience especially in team sports.
“This is the first-ever virtual online multi-sports world with role-playing elements,” said Christian Müller, Managing Director of the new joint venture. “There are single sport online games but no one has seamlessly integrated multiple games around the entire sports lifestyle. The user becomes a 3D avatar, capable of developing his or her virtual body, skills and capabilities through sport and training all-the-while socialising within the Empire of Sports community. We have built this game from the ground up to be a fun and competitive environment while meeting your friends and making new ones. And in Empire of Sports, everyone can become a sports star.”
A series of sports games to create a unique gaming world
Among the high quality multi player sports games available at the launch of Empire of Sports will be basketball, tennis, skiing and a series of fitness and training games. Other major games will be announced as the platform develops. The controls will be easily accessible even to non-gamers and all games can be played by millions of players / teams at the same time.
“The game will first and foremost be fun for everybody. Casual gamers will find quick entertainment, while hardcore gamers will be able to immerse in a vast universe of specialisation and customisation unmatched by any other MMORPG out there,” said Nic van ‘t Schip, Head of Community Management. He added, “On the community side of things we are going to revolutionise the MMO scene. We will give our users the power and tools to create their own competitive sports environment while offering a series of organised high profile tournaments and competitions.”
A powerful partnership to deliver a unique product
To bring this exciting new gaming product to consumers, Infront Sports & Media and F4 have formed a new joint venture company, which is producing and operating the platform from its headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. Infront Sports & Media is contributing its deep understanding of sports and its long-term relationships with top sports federations, clubs and athletes to the endeavour, while F4 is developing the platform leveraging its expertise in online gaming and the creation of persistent virtual worlds.
“This is a very exciting time for our company,” said Infront’s President & CEO Philippe Blatter. “We are highly enthusiastic about the platform which is extending our passion for sports and admiration of its protagonists - the athletes - into the virtual realm. We strongly feel we will bring something extraordinary to gamers and sports fans around the world. And we believe we can reach people that so far have not been attracted to gaming, but who will indulge in the unlimited possibilities of the virtual world of sports.”
“Gaming today is a serious part of the entertainment industry,” said Alexis Galley, CEO of F4. “With the increasing sophistication of games, the demographics have shifted – it is reaching a very large number of people and now is a means of entertainment equivalent to TV, movies and other media. The concept being developed with Infront hits the sweet spot between the power of gaming and the significance of sports in a social environment.”
The platform is scheduled for launch by the end of 2007. Currently, the platform is in internal beta testing with the objective to start public beta testing in the near future.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media (http://www.infrontsports.com) is a leading international sports marketing company and specialist service provider to sport. It is best know for its long term relationship with FIFA for the production and media marketing of the FIFA World Cup. Infront is also positioned as a leading player in the heart of the winter sports market. It is furthermore building a network of offices in Asia and has significant new business in China, looking after both the national League and national teams in China’s two top sports, basketball and football. As the market changes and more major rights holders build their rights in-house, Infront is responding with new business approach, which provides a closer and more effective level of partnership with its customers and clients, whether they are sports fans, federations, organising committees or sponsors.
About F4
F4 (www.f4-group.com) is a European and Asian video game development company, coming from the best of the engineering and video game worlds. Currently, more than 100 people are developing Empire of Sports at its headquarters in Paris. F4 specializes at delivering cutting-edge, revolutionary virtual worlds in cooperation with a wide range of partners. The company is owned by a group whose activities range from software engineering to scientific research and development.
For further information, please contact:
Jörg Polzer
Manager, Communication & PR
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax +41-41-723 15 16
press@infrontsports.com
www.infrontsports.com
