Recognizing that today's digital entertainment enthusiasts crave easy online access to the latest gaming news, product reviews, downloads, and cheats, IDG Entertainment debuted its Games.net site today.

Given the significant growth of its online gaming properties, with over 9 million unique users* each month, IDG Entertainment's editorial team set out to create an environment where gamers and professional editors could take video-game journalism in a new direction.

Designed for gamers seeking an editorial and community perspective on all aspects of gaming, Games.net provides instant access to online gaming news, reviews, features, opinions, screen shots, trailers, box shots, purchase info, cheats, comments, blogs, walk-throughs, and more, and lets users comment on all media forms presented on the site.

"Gamers don't want to spend their time hunting on the Internet for multiple reviews, cheats, and gaming blogs," said Director of Online Product Development Craig Eastman. "Modern gamers demand more from their online gaming-information sources. They want a one-stop shop that serves all of their gaming-information needs, and they want to be entertained. Gamers also want a place where they can weigh in with their opinion and have a discussion with editors, critics, and other users. Games.net uses revolutionary design to create interaction, fulfilling these needs."

While traditional gaming-information sites merely post user commentary via message boards, Games.net actively encourages gamers to become a part of the conversation, working together with other users and editors to find, share, discuss--and create--the latest trends or breaking stories in the gaming industry. "Content is cheap--you can find it anywhere online. The trick is building a strong community through instant interaction that will draw readers back again and again," said Online Content Producer Jane Pinckard. "Comments add layers to content, bringing a new depth of experience to the user. We aim to hit a new note and provide a fresh perspective, and invite our readers to join the conversation."

"Modern gamers' needs have grown, and our publishing strategy has developed to meet these needs," said President of IDG Entertainment Daniel Orum. "Gamers demand a voice on how games are received and reviewed. Games.net gives them instant access to a variety of perspectives and an interactive and entertaining platform for open dialogue."

Key components of the Games.net site include:

-- .Net News--Featured links to the funniest, strangest, and most important news stories on the Web

-- Net Tens--Games.net's exclusive top-10 editorial features take a look at the interesting and irreverent in gaming culture

-- User Effect--Puts the user in charge, enabling them to comment on anything and everything on Games.net

-- Average Critic Score--Each product page features an aggregation of all the best professional reviews

-- Average User Score--Users take part in the editorial process by contributing video-game reviews, which are all aggregated and compared to critic's reviews

-- Blogs--Regular feeds of personal takes from gaming-industry insiders via BlogFaction.com sites

-- RSS 2.0--XML feeds keep the power users in the loop with easy access to Games.net info

IDG Entertainment Knows Gamers

Currently, IDGE's Online Network reaches over 9 million unique visitors(1). With the addition of the Games.net site, each IDGE and partner gaming site perfectly complements each other within Games.net in addition to standing on its own.

IDG Entertainment gaming properties and affiliates include: Games.net, GamePro.com, GamerHelp.com, BlogFaction.com, GameDownloads.com, GamersHell.com, GameTrailers.com, MegaGames.com, StarWars.com, and Wireless Gaming World.

Advertisers Attracted to Unique Audience for Games.net

With the addition of Games.net, the IDG Entertainment online audience continues to be highly desirable to both endemic gaming companies as well a nonendemics, who understand the importance of reaching out to the modern gamer. "Gaming audiences as a whole are highly desirable to all types of advertisers. Games.net sets the bar by delivering not only enthusiastic gamers who hit the demographic and purchasing sweet spot but also gamers who share their voice by engaging in content, ideas, and the community of Games.net," said Vice President of Online Sales Bob Huseby. "Our advertising partners reach a Games.net audience that is driven to engage, interact, and communicate with our site and their products."

About IDG Entertainment

For over 16 years, IDG Entertainment (IDGE) has led the industry by providing a portfolio of highly read multiplatform gaming and entertainment editorial products, including GamePro magazine, Star Wars Insider magazine, the IDGE Online Network (including Games.net, GamePro.com, GamerHelp.com, GameDownloads.com, and BlogFaction.com), Code Vault magazine, Best Buy game and DVD guides, and the IDG Entertainment Industry White Paper. The portfolio provides synergy between print and digital properties, reaching over 15 million consumers monthly. Information on all of IDG Entertainment's properties is available at idg-entertainment.com.