Mplayer Teams With PSINet to Offer Internet Service Package for Mplayer Members; Mplayer Internet Service Provides Fastest Online Game Play

Business Wire, Dec 23, 1996

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 23, 1996--Game enthusiasts now can get high-speed Internet access from Mpath Interactive's Mplayer(TM) (www.mplayer.com) service as a result of a new agreement with PSINet Inc. (Nasdaq: PSIX), the first commercial Internet service provider.

The new Mplayer Internet Service offers Mplayer members direct 28.8k bps access nationwide to PSINet's high-performance, Internet-optimized backbone.

Since October 1995, Mpath has deployed its proprietary software and game servers at key locations throughout PSINet's network. This arrangement, the first of its kind in the industry, helps ensure that Mplayer game traffic receives top bandwidth priority by reducing the distance and time required for game packets to travel from a player to the closest server, creating a realistic interactive experience for users. Now, Mplayer members will have even faster performance when they sign up for the Mplayer Internet Service, an Internet access service optimized for game play on Mplayer.

According to Paul Matteucci, president and CEO of Mpath Interactive, creators of Mplayer, offering Mplayer Internet Service extends Mplayer's fast performance leadership. "Game fans are flocking to Mplayer because its fast game play makes it the Ferrari of online games services," said Matteucci. "Now, we're taking advantage of PSINet's network leadership and Mplayer technology to make it even easier for our members to experience unparalleled fast game play."

"The Mplayer/PSINet partnership offers an ideal network solution for delivering fast games," said William L. Schrader, PSINet president and CEO. "Mplayer Internet Service subscribers can bypass Internet `traffic jams' and enjoy real-time, interactive performance because Mplayer and PSINet have developed an `express lane' just for Mplayer game traffic."

In addition to high-speed communications, Mplayer Internet Service offers additional Internet service features including newsgroup access, e-mail, and support for popular Web browsers such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. The service supports modem speeds up to 28.8k bps and the latest Internet technologies including FTP, Shockwave, and RealAudio.

Pricing and how to sign up

New and current Mplayer members can sign up for Mplayer Internet Service on the Mplayer Web site at www.mplayer.com. Internet software with sign-up information can be downloaded directly from the site and is available as part of the Mplayer Start-up CD-ROM. To receive the free Mplayer Start-up CD-ROM, gamers can call 888/MPLAYER. For additional information on the Mplayer Internet Service, call 408/342-8800.

Mplayer Internet Service is available for Mplayer members throughout the continental United States. Basic pricing is $19.95 per month for unlimited use.

About PSINet

PSINet manages one of the world's largest and most advanced fast-packet networks, which provides state-of-the art, high-speed Internet access ranging from dedicated high-speed circuits to ISDN to high-speed modem dial-up. The Company's PSINet network offers access to the Internet from more than 350 points-of-presence (POPs) worldwide. PSINet backs up its state-of the art network with the industry's original service guarantee, employing automatic back-up systems and crediting service for outages of as little as one percent of a business day.

Headquartered in Herndon, Va., PSINet has offices across the U.S., subsidiaries in the U.K., Canada, and Japan and joint-venture partners in the Netherlands and South Korea. Further product and pricing information can be obtained by calling 800/341-6188, by accessing PSINet's Web site at www.psi.net or by sending an e-mail request to wsale@psi.com .

About Mplayer

Mplayer is the fastest Internet games service featuring hit titles and a competitive yet friendly community of game fans of all skill levels. In addition to having the best technology for fast-action gameplay, Mplayer's superior communications technologies -- interactive speech (voice chat), text-based interactive chat, pager, and ScribbleTalk, a feature that lets gamers draw pictures or diagram game strategies on a shared screen -- make Mplayer the most fun and social multiplayer game service.

On Mplayer, game enthusiasts can play the hottest games -- from 3D shooters where quick moves are key -- to America's favorite board games, against thousands of opponents. Featured titles on Mplayer include such hits as Red Alert, QUAKE and Deadlock. Titles coming soon to Mplayer include Diablo, WarWind, Risk, Panzer General, Scrabble, Battleship, and Monopoly. Gamers also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of Mplayer-sponsored activities and events including tournaments, All-Nighters, and ongoing contests focused on the games.

Gamers who want to check out Mplayer can download the Mplayer client software and the game enablers from the Mplayer Web site at www.mplayer.com. Game fans can also request the Mplayer Start-up Kit -- a CD-ROM with the Mplayer client software, shareware versions of the games, and the game enablers - by surfing to the site or calling 888/MPLAYER. Retail versions of the games with the Mplayer sticker on the retail box include the Mplayer Start-up Kit and game enablers.