Concentric Network Corporation, a leading provider of value-added IP networking services, today launched The Game Gateway by Concentric Network and Unified Gamers Online, a one-stop service for consumers who want to play online multiplayer games and access gaming related news, reviews, tips and downloads.

The Game Gateway, available free to anyone with Internet access at http://www.gamegateway.com and http://www.ugo.net, brings together 25 of the most popular games in one place, with one account and one bill. Consumers who sign-up for access with Concentric Network will take full advantage of Concentric's high-performance, private network, which enables the fastest and most true-to-life game play experience.

To date, partners in the Game Gateway are ENGAGE games online, Infogrames Entertainment, Kesmai and On-line PLC, offering titles for kids, families and hard core gamers alike. Total Entertainment Network, iMagic Online and MPG-NET have committed to bringing their games to Gateway includeing news, reviews of games, downloads, hints and strategy guides and chat services to create a true gaming community. Other partners and services will be continually added.

"With the launch of the Game Gateway, Concentric Network is making a significant move further into the online gaming space, utilizing our high-performance network to bring smooth, real-time multiplayer experiences to gamers of all ages," said Henry R. Nothhaft, president and CEO of Concentric Network. "We're excited to be partnering with UGO and the industry's leading developers and publishers to bring consumers a one-stop gaming arcade with the hottest titles and services." Concentric Network, well known in the gaming community for its network performance, co-developed the Game Gateway with Unified Gamers Online (UGO, LLC), a consortium of independent game-oriented sites and services.

The Game Gateway editorial content will be developed and maintained by the UGO consortium, while Concentric Network will supply its low-fixed latency and high throughput network, back office billing, authentication and registration services, and strategic partnerships in the gaming and entertainment industries.

Leading Partners and Hot Games

ENGAGE brings 10 of its popular multi-player games to the Game Gateway, including Descent Online, Rolemaster: Magestorm, SplatterBall, Castles II: Siege and Conquest, WarCraft II: Tides of Darkness, Rolemaster: The Bladelands, Darkness Falls, Billboard Live! Music Trivia, The Improv and Virtual Pool.

Concentric Network and ENGAGE have been strategic partners since 1996. "It's a natural for ENGAGE to be a member of the Game Gateway and to further extend our existing partnership with Concentric Network," said Jeff Leibowitz, president of ENGAGE. "We strive for the widest distribution for our games and applaud Concentric Network for bringing the most popular games and services together in one place. Gamers will enjoy the benefits and sense of community that ENGAGE has to offer."

Infogrames Entertainment, a leading European producer and publisher of interactive entertainment, is bringing its Oceanline brand of game titles to U.S. consumers through the Game Gateway. These include Dust 'n' Blast, Diagonal of Aces, Battle of the Pirates, Tennis, Mini-Golf, Circus Fighters, Crimson Wars and a graphical chat room. "The Game Gateway is the optimal way for American gamers to enjoy our popular European games.

We're very pleased to be working with Concentric Network to bring these titles to a new audience," said Bruno Bonnell, chairman and CEO of Infogrames Entertainment.

Kesmai Corporation's ARIES Online Games unit, a publisher, developer and distributor of interactive gaming content, brings a mix of social and hard core games to the Game Gateway. Titles in the GameStorm line include Air Warrior II Online, Online Casino, Harpoon Online, Legends of Kesmai, MultiPlayer BattleTech, Classic Cards and CatchWord. "I think it's a great development for the industry that the best multiplayer game companies and the best network service provider have joined strengths," said Chris Holden, CEO of Kesmai. Together, Concentric Network and Kesmai will be able to satisfy the most demanding player seeking large-scale, persistent universe games in a fast, reliable environment. It doesn't get any better than this."

Another European gaming leader, U.K.-based On-line PLC, is bringing its most popular multiplayer computer game, Iron Wolves, to the United States for the first time through the Game Gateway. Michael Hodges, CEO of On-line PLC, commented: "By partnering with Concentric Network in the Game Gateway, many more gamers will be able to experience Iron Wolves on one of the most advanced networks anywhere."

Features and Pricing

Consumers who join the Game Gateway will receive a free CD-ROM with everything they need to get online and start playing, including 400 MB of gaming software, a customized version of Netscape Navigator, a customized version of BackWeb's client software, and over $35 dollars in free online game time.

Once signed-on, members only have to remember one log-on ID and will receive one monthly billing statement. Unlimited active access with Concentric Network's standard plan is $19.95 a month, plus the cost of game play, which averages $1.75 per hour but varies depending on the game title. The standard plan also includes toll-free customer support, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, and other value-added features.

Consumers who use another network service provider can still access and enjoy the Game Gateway, but will not be playing over Concentric's high-speed network.

About Concentric Network Corporation

Concentric Network Corporation, a privately held company that has been operational since 1994, has become known as the gaming network because of its private, ATM network that delivers the low fixed latency and high throughput necessary for optimal, real-time multiplayer game experiences. Concentric Network was recently rated first in 24-hour, evening hour, and business hour connection success rates(1). In addition to providing Internet connectivity for consumers to play games and surf the World Wide Web, Concentric Network offers Web hosting services for individuals, families and small businesses. Concentric Network is also a leader in developing solutions for mid- to large-size enterprises, providing remote access, high-speed dedicated access and Virtual Private Network services.

About UGO

UGO, LLC, a subsidiary of ProActive Media, Inc., is committed to providing consumers with fun, valuable and informative gaming-oriented services online. The UGO Consortium of web sites firmly believes that the true value of the Internet lies in its multiple sources of quality information and entertainment. UGO is a place where gamers go to meet each other and talk about common interests and experiences, through one or more of the numerous high-quality UGO member gaming Web sites and services. The UGO Advertising Network is a full service advertising sales and promotions service focused specifically on the computer and video games market and the online medium. UGO provides ad space representation and online marketing exclusively to game related Web sites and online game services. As a business partner, UGO assists Web sites and Internet communities in generating advertising revenue while increasing their online market presence without incurring the associated overhead or expense of hiring a sales and marketing team. The company is headquartered in San Francisco.