Thu, 11/20/2008

2008 Press Releases

Get a Free Game Daily at GameHouse.com

"Mortimer Beckett and the Time Paradox" available today for free; other popular titles to follow every day


SEATTLE — November 21, 2008 — Beginning today, customers can download and keep a different game every day — for free — at Gamehouse.com, a premier casual games site that is part of digital entertainment services company RealNetworks®, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNWK).  The free game daily will be a full version of an audience favorite or new title that customers can download and play whenever they want. This industry first is part of a major site redesign that also includes the unveiling of a completely new value-pricing structure for customers.

"Today's customers are dramatically more value conscious, and we've seen a growing demand for top-quality games at great prices," said John Barbour, the newly appointed president of the Games Division at Real. "This new value pricing gives existing customers more ways to enjoy popular games, while providing an even better experience to attract a broader audience."

In addition to the free game daily, customers will also discover a more customizable and easy-to-enjoy game experience. A diverse catalogue of premium titles at a range of price points offers something for everyone, whether a dedicated or first-time casual game player:

  • Free game daily: Anyone can download the free game title every day with no obligation. "Mortimer Becket and the Time Paradox," today's free game, is the sequel to one of the hottest casual games of '07 and has had the most successful first week of sales this year across Real's portals.  Customers can learn about the free game daily by visiting GameHouse.com.

  • GameHouse Club™: The best new option for devoted casual gamers, GameHouse Club offers a variety of FunTicket™ packages for maximum playing value with prices starting at only $5.99 per game, and early access to tomorrow's free game, today.

  • FunPass®: This popular subscription is still available, giving players unlimited access to every game on the site for the duration of their FunPass membership.  Existing FunPass customers will notice improved features and even deeper discounts on purchased titles, while maintaining the same access to GameHouse's premium catalogue of titles. 

Casual games are family friendly and easy-to-learn but often difficult to master. They provide players with a fun break from the stresses and rigors of daily life and offer a mental workout that is both stimulating and relaxing. Played on personal computers, mobile devices and living room consoles, casual games include board, word and hidden-object games and puzzles. According to a recent survey by ISG, 85 percent of RealNetworks' North American gaming portal customers are female, with 73 percent between the ages of 30 and 60.

RealNetworks helped pioneer the casual games segment with the introduction of RealArcade® in 2001, followed by the acquisition of GameHouse® Studios in 2004. Today, RealNetworks' Games Division is a leader in the casual games industry worldwide, with a vertically integrated development, publishing, licensing, distribution and retail business.

For More Information Contact:
Tiffany Dunning
RealNetworks206-892-6733
tdunning@real.com

Bailey Locke
SHIFT for RealNetworks415-591-8457
blocke@shiftcomm.com

RNWK-G

ABOUT REALNETWORKS

RealNetworks, Inc. delivers digital entertainment services to consumers via PC, portable music player, home entertainment system and mobile phone. Real created the streaming media category in 1995 and has continued to lead the market with pioneering products and services, including: RealPlayer®, the first mainstream media player to enable one-click downloading and recording of Internet video; the award-winning Rhapsody® digital music service, which delivers more than 1 billion songs per year; RealArcade, one of the largest casual games destinations on the Web; and a variety of mobile entertainment services, such as ringback tones, offered to consumers through leading wireless carriers around the world. RealNetworks' corporate information is located at www.realnetworks.com/company.

RealNetworks, GameHouse, GameHouse Club, FunPass, FunTicket, RealArcade, Rhapsody and RealPlayer are registered trademarks or trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. or its wholly owned subsidiary.