Walt Disney Internet Group Signs Distribution Agreement With Macrovision

Walt Disney Internet Group Signs Distribution Agreement With Macrovision
Disney-Branded Casual Games Now Available Through Macrovision’s European and Australian Games Network

The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) and Macrovision Corporation (NASDAQ:MVSN) today announced that WDIG has signed an agreement with Macrovision to digitally distribute Disney-branded casual games in Europe and Australia via Macrovision’s games network. The agreement extends WDIG’s reach in the downloadable casual games market and gives families a convenient, user-friendly network through which to download their favorite games.

The first set of Disney games currently are available on Macrovision’s games network and include Pirates of the Caribbean Pinball, The Little Mermaid Pinball, The Lion King Grubalicious, Aladdin Pinball and Stitch's Blazing Lasers. The games are available in multiple languages, including English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. The Disney games are being distributed by the leading portals, retailers and peer-to-peer groups that are part of Macrovision’s game network.

“The casual gaming market in Europe is projected to reach approximately $400 million by 2009(1), with usage extending beyond serious game enthusiasts to include more mainstream, casual gaming audiences,� said Myles MacBean, vice president technology and operations at Walt Disney Internet Group, Europe. “Disney Game Downloads is a good example of our continued success in leveraging new technologies such as broadband to deliver unique interactive entertainment experiences for kids and families around the world. Through Macrovision and its game network, we are able to expand our European and Australian distribution and reach an even larger audience.�

Each Disney game can be previewed on a trial basis and then purchased via download through Macrovision’s games network distribution partners. Once purchased, games can be shared as trials on an unlimited basis.

“Digital distribution is a key focus at Macrovision and we enjoy working with our customers when they enter the online distribution market, seek to reach greater audiences, and move into new and different digital distribution areas,� said Fred Amoroso, CEO of Macrovision. “We are very pleased to have WDIG Europe distribute their casual games on our European and Australian games network and are committed to providing their customers with a proven, reliable games network through which they can view and purchase their favorite Disney games.�

-- Posted February 27, 2007