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News Bulletien: Gametap sold to Metaboli S.A.

Turner Broadcasting and Metaboli Partner To Create A Global Online Gaming Service
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) and Metaboli, S.A. have partnered to create a global online gaming service under the GameTap brand in the U.S. and Metaboli brand in Europe, the companies announced today. GameTap will continue to offer arcade, console and PC games from a library of several hundred titles to broadband users in the U.S. The GameTap/Metaboli combination brings together two established leaders in the online gaming space that creates a global gaming brand with a presence on two continents.

“GameTap is a significant strategic addition to our portfolio of established online gaming services in Europe,” said Pierre Gaudet, CEO of Paris-based Metaboli. “The addition of GameTap provides us a foothold in the U.S. market; valuable content and an established brand that integrate well with our existing operations; and a partner with whom we are honored to be in business.”

“Our priority for all of our networks and businesses is growth,” said Stuart Snyder, who as president and chief operating officer of Turner Broadcasting’s Animation, Young Adult & Kids Media group has overseen GameTap. “Partnering with Metaboli significantly enhances GameTap’s growth prospects by leveraging our respective strengths. Metaboli’s recognized white label expertise, combined with GameTap’s vast game library, publishing agreements and brand equity will now offer turn key solutions to ISPs, Portals, Retailers and Publishers in the United States. There’s upside here for everyone, but especially for gaming enthusiasts around the world.”

Under the new agreement, Turner Broadcasting will continue to manage GameTap operations and provide technical and migration support through a transition period to conclude in early 2009, at which time Metaboli will assume direct management of the GameTap business and brand. GameTap will continue to be based in Atlanta and Turner will become an equity investor in the combined entity going forward.

Launched in 2005 by Turner Broadcasting, GameTap delivers more than 1,300 authentic versions of console, computer and arcade games, including original and exclusive episodic titles such as Sam & Max, Seasons One and Two and American McGee’s Grimm. Visitors to www.gametap.com can play free games on its ad-supported Web site and purchase top PC and catalog titles from its digital retail storefront. GameTap paid members receive unlimited access to its massive library of titles; community and multi-player features; and original games.

Metaboli is Europe’s leading provider of platforms and websites for games digital distribution. Consumers can subscribe to its games-on-demand service at www.metaboli.com and download to own games at www.gamesplanet.com.

Through “Digital Tycoon”, their business-to-business platform, Metaboli also powers the websites of more than 50 white label partners from MSN, T-Online, Orange, Virgin to Atari or Game.

Metiboli Sale FAQ

Why is GameTap merging with Metaboli?

Partnering with Metaboli provides great complementary strengths and offers the best growth opportunities for GameTap. Metaboli is the largest games on demand service in Europe and combined with GameTap, the two businesses offer an unrivaled PC gaming experience to American and European consumers.

Who/What is Metaboli?

Metaboli is Europe’s leading provider of platforms and websites for games digital distribution. Consumers can subscribe to its games-on-demand service at www.metaboli.com and download to own games at www.gamesplanet.com. Through “Digital Tycoon”, their business-to-business platform, Metaboli also powers the websites of more than 50 white label partners from MSN, T-Online, Orange, Virgin to Atari and Game.

What changes will we see to the site/service under this new ownership structure?

We are already planning for some exciting changes, which we will announce in the near future.

What will happen to my subscription?

You will continue to have access to GameTap’s library of 1,000+ game titles.

Will there be any change to my subscription price?

Currently, there are no plans to change GameTap’s subscription price.

Will I be able to access different games from Metaboli?

We are currently working on new subscription offerings, once we finalize them, you will be the first to know.

Can you mention any new features that GameTap will include in the future?

One feature that we are excited about discussing now is integrating Metaboli’s new “Digital Tycoon” download to own technology platform, that we think will be a major improvement to GameTap’s existing service.

Will GameTap be available on other websites?

As Europe's leading distributor of video games for download, Metaboli has distinguished itself by offering its game subscription service to more than 50 partner sites. We believe that Metaboli’s distribution expertise will support GameTap’s goal of reaching more consumers in the United States.

What does Turner/Metaboli offer as a partnership?

The combined operations offer complementary strengths - Metaboli’s industry expertise, distributor relationships and download to own technology platform, and GameTap’s vast game library, publishing agreements and brand equity - which will result into greater growth opportunities.

Will the GameTap name be retained?

In the United States, yes.

Where will GameTap be based?

Current plans are for GameTap to continue to be based in Atlanta.

Rumor Patrol: Gametap to cease production on original titles

http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/09/25/will-gametap-stop-doing-original-games/

On Wednesday we reported that Turner Broadcasting was selling off its Gametap online game download service to Metaboli, a European company that has a similar business model (Turner will have a minority stake in the new business arrangement, however). Variety chatted with Metaboi CEO Pierre Gaudet about the deal and it looks like one of Gametap's unique features may be going by the wayside.

That feature is launching original games on Gametap such as Telltale's Sam and Max series and more recently American McGee's Grimm. There hasn't been any announcements on new titles coming from the service and it looks like Gaudet might put that aspect of Gametap to bed, saying, "We are not doing that in Metaboli and for the time being it's not in our plans." Telltale Games might decide to simply release future episodes of Sam and Max on their own for the PC as they have done for their second epiodic series Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People.

New Premium Games Available September 25

Fallout™ 2

Life after nuclear war isn’t so bad. Bustling shantytowns filled with vice and fast times, fascinating tribal villages on the outskirts of the desert...a man could have a lot of fun out here. Can you find the fabled Garden of Eden Creation Kit (GECK) and restore prosperity to the village of Arroyo? Or would you prefer doing your own thing instead? Knock yourself out!

Stand O'Food

In the spirit of classics like Tapper, Pressure Cooker and Diner Dash, Stand O' Food puts you in the shoes of a hapless and overworked fast food chef scrambling to fill orders correctly for the ever-growing line of customers. Sling the beef, upgrade your stores, and climb to the height of dominance...which is, basically, assistant manager.

New Free Games Available September 25

Fallout™

It’s the year 2161, 84 years after a two-hour-long war that destroyed most of civilization. Mankind soldiers on, living out a hardscrabble life on the surface or holing up in great Vaults built inside caves. You’re a member of Vault 13 somewhere in Southern California, and the Vault Overseer’s got a job for you: find a replacement water purification chip within 150 days, or your home is doomed.

Full List of Free Games

The full list of free-to-play titles can be found after the break.

1. 2020 Super Baseball
2. 1942
3. 1943: The Battle of Midway
4. 1st Division Manager
5. 3 Count Bout
6. American McGee's Grimm: A Boy Learns What Fear Is
7. Art of Fighting
8. Astrosmash
9. Bagh Chal
10. Ball 7 Deluxe
11. Baseball Stars 2
12. Baseball Stars Professional
13. Battle of Europe
14. Bee 52
15. Black Tiger
16. Blast Miner
17. BloodRayne
18. Brian Lara Cricket 2007
19. Bubble Bobble
20. Buku Kakuro
21. Buku Sudoku
22. BurgerTime
23. Burnin' Rubber
24. Bust-A-Move
25. Bust-A-Move Again
26. Cannon Fodder
27. Capcom Sports Club
28. Captain Commando
29. Captain Dynamo
30. CJ in the USA
31. Cj's Elephant Antics
32. Colin McRae Rally 2005
33. Colony 7
34. Commandos 3: Destination Berlin
35. Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness
36. D.N.A.
37. Daikatana
38. Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors
39. Defender
40. Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition
41. Disciples II: Rise of the Elves GOLD
42. Dj Puff's Volcanic Capers
43. Dracula Twins
44. Elevator Action
45. Fallout
46. Fast Lanes Bowling
47. Fast Lanes Pinball
48. Fatal Fury
49. Final Fight
50. Five Card Deluxe
51. Flip Words 2
52. Football Frenzy
53. Futoshiki
54. Ghosts N' Goblins
55. Ghouls N' Ghosts
56. Grand Prix Simulator
57. Grell and Falla
58. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
59. Hitman: Codename 47
60. Ikari Warriors
61. Ingenious
62. Jewelcraft
63. Joust
64. Kamikaze
65. Karate Champ
66. King of the Monsters
67. King of the Monsters 2
68. Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle
69. Knights of the Round
70. Lara Croft's Tomb Raider: Legend
71. Lazer Force
72. Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2
73. League Bowling
74. Liquid Kids
75. Little Puff in Dragonland
76. Lunar Rescue
77. Magical Drop III
78. Marine Park Empire
79. Mean Machine
80. Mega Man: The Power Battle
81. Mercs
82. Metal Slug
83. Metal Slug 2
84. Miami Chase
85. Mig-29 Soviet Fighter
86. Motocross
87. Morning's Wrath
88. Mr. Robot
89. Murray Mouse: Supercop
90. Mutation Nation
91. Nemesis of the Roman Empire
92. Neo Turf Masters
93. Olli & Lissa 3
94. Poltergeist
95. Pop-A-Tronic
96. Prehistoric Isle in 1930
97. Prince Clumsy
98. Pro Boxing Simulator
99. Pro Skateboard Simulator
100. Psychonauts
101. Puzzled
102. Qix
103. Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2
104. Rally Cross Simulator
105. Rampage
106. Rastan
107. Real MYST
108. Restaurant Empire
109. Return of the Invaders
110. Robotron 2084
111. Rogue Trooper
112. Root Beer Tapper
113. Sam and Max Season One: Episode 4: Abe Lincoln Must Die!
114. Samurai Showdown
115. Second Sight
116. Sensible Soccer
117. Sensible Soccer 2006
118. Shark! Shark!
119. Shock Troopers
120. Slightly Magic
121. Son Son
122. Space Invaders
123. Street Fighter II: Champion Edition
124. Super Qix
125. Stuntman Seymour
126. Super Seymour
127. Super Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers
128. Surakarta
129. Texas Hold' Em Poker
130. The King of Fighters 95
131. The King of Fighters 96
132. The Last Blade
133. The New Zealand Story
134. Thief: Deadly Shadows
135. Tilt
136. Tube-It
137. Twinkle Star Sprites
138. Vampire Savior: The Lord of the Vampire
139. Vulgus
140. Warlords Battlecry 3
141. X2: The Threat
142. Zoo Empire
143. Zoo Keeper

Upcoming Games:

October 2
Ride! Carnival Tycoon
Secrets of Great Art
Dancing with The Stars

October 9
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Ocean Express

October 16
Jack Keane
Sacrifice

October 23
World Poker Championship 2: Final Table Showdown


American McGee's Grimm
American McGee's Grimm: Volume Two (Fall 2008)
American McGee's Grimm: Volume Three (Early 2009)

TBD:

Freddi Fish 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse
Freddi Fish 5: The Case of the Creature of Coral Cove
(Both Freddi Fish games have been pulled temporarily due to technical difficulties)
Space Hack
Die By the Sword
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty
Hei$t
Culpa Innata
Pitfall: The Lost Expedition
Fallout Tactics
(additional Interplay titles TBD)
Hail to The Chimp
Legendary
Velvet Assassin
Insecticide
Stronghold Crusader Extreme
Company of Heroes
Warhammer 40K, Red Faction
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
Titan Quest
Saints Row 2
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl.

Coming to Free:

October 2
Sacred: Gold
Others TBD