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[Shard]

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20387

Turner Broadcasting System will transfer its GameTap PC gaming service to Paris-based Metaboli, which provides similar games distribution platforms and websites in Europe.

Under the agreement's terms, parent media company Turner will continue managing GameTap operations and provide technical and migration support through a transition period scheduled to conclude in early 2009. Afterwards, Metaboli will assume direct management of the business and brand.

GameTap will continue its digital distribution service and will remain in Atlanta, while Turner will become an equity investor in the combined entity. Metaboli intends to create a "global online gaming service" under the GameTap brand in the U.S. and under its own brand in Europe.

Launched in 2005, GameTap offers over 1,300 console, computer, and arcade titles as a subscription and ad-based PC gaming service. The company closed its editorial division in June, announcing that it was "restructuring the site to focus exclusively on gameplay."

Following that, Turner revealed in August that it planned to sell the service, revealing in its second quarter financial results an $18 million writeoff credited to the decision.

Metaboli provides a games-on-demand, subscription-based service, as well as a download-to-own platform. Through its Digital Tycoon business-to-business platform, the company powers the websites of over 50 white label partners, including MSN, Virgin, and Atari.

"Our priority for all of our networks and businesses is growth,” says Turner's Animation, Young Adult & Kids Media president and COO Stuart Snyder, who has overseen Gametap. "Partnering with Metaboli significantly enhances GameTap’s growth prospects by leveraging our respective strengths."

He continues, "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.”

 

[Ninja Kn1ght]

So we might finally get a GameTap-like service in Europe? Sounds great.

 

[Shard]

So we might finally get a GameTap-like service in Europe? Sounds great.

Yea, that seems to be what the article is stating.

 

[Shard]

Official Press Release and FAQ Released:

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.


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.

 

[McBradders]

If Europe gets the arcade shit Gametap has, I am there day one.

 

[eznark]

This sounds like really good news for users

 

[Shard]

Well, glancing over the Metaboli UK Site, this service seems to be, well, Gametap Europe already.

http://www.metaboli.co.uk/

Thios deal looks like it could work both ways, I see some publishers here that are not on the Gametap like Microsoft Game Studios and Atari Inc.

 

[CTLance]

Oooooh.... neat. Will wait and see, wwhile hoping for the best and fearing for the worst.

 

[Fragamemnon]

Metaboli already sort of was Gametap in Europe as Shard had mentioned. Only it was more PC gamer oriented and without a lot of the "retro".

It's a good fit for Metaboli and a good way to expand into the US.

 

[Shard]

What would be the worst?

 

[sullytao]

Hopefully one of the first things they do is patch the service to support 64bit Vista.

 

[bistromathics]

so is this a happy ending for gametap? sounds like it to me, but i know shit about business

 

[AstroLad]

Hopefully one of the first things they do is patch the service to support 64bit Vista.

YES

 

[Shard]

That probably will not be addressed, it doesn't have anything really to do with Metaboli or Gametap or any owner, it is the encryption technology used.

http://www.gametap.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=22393&start=0&tstart=30

The new owners won't be able to do shit. Extant is the provider for disk encryption and emulation for On-Demand gaming services. Not A provider, THE provider. Unless some new company shows up that makes it easy as hell to switch over, we're stuck waiting for Extant to stop being lazy bastards simply because they own the market for this particular technology. Every other On-Demand service like Comcast and Metaboli uses it too, so don't get your hopes up about switching to one that supports 64-bit.

 

[Shard]

so is this a happy ending for gametap? sounds like it to me, but i know shit about business

Yes, yes it is, about the happiest ending it could have gotten under the circumstances.

 

[AlexM]

So does this mean I can finally play icewind dale 2 in canada?

 

[AstroLad]

wow that's silly. well one day they'll have to get it up to snuff. until then.

 

[Shard]

So does this mean I can finally play icewind dale 2 in canada?

It might, hard to say at this point, that might require a contract renegotiation.

 

[TheSonicRetard]

If gametap ever makes its way to either the Xbox 360 or the PS3, the thing is gonna fucking explode.

Mark my words.

 

[Metaphoreus]

Hopefully one of the first things they do is patch the service to support 64bit Vista.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

 

[charlequin]

This is way better news than I expected to hear about GameTap. Awesome.

 

[CrunchinJelly]

So they're keeping all 3 brands?

I think I speak for everyone when I say 'What the fuck?' Give me one, worldwide brand.

 

[Shard]

So they're keeping all 3 brands?

I think I speak for everyone when I say 'What the fuck?' Give me one, worldwide brand.

Yes, they are doing that for right now, though I wouldn't be shocked if one segment eventually lost the old brand-name for better global brand-indemnity or some shit like that.