Stream Theory and GamePro.com Launch Streaming Software Demos On GamePro.com; Stream Theory Technology Enables Broadband Users to Play PC Game Demos Quickly and Without Installation

Business Wire, Sept 20, 2000

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MOFFETT FIELD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2000

Stream Theory, Inc., an innovative start-up with proprietary technology to quickly deliver software applications over broadband and other media, and GamePro.com, the world's premier entertainment destination for the Y-Generation, today announced the official launch of streaming software demos on GamePro.com. The website is using Stream Theory technology to stream PC game demos to GamePro.com broadband visitors. Stream Theory is processing software using patent-pending technology that allows users to point, click and run software over the Internet almost instantly and without installation.

GamePro.com will initially offer ten popular streaming demos, including "Deus Ex" from Eidos Interactive, "Quake III Arena" from Activision, "Star Wars: Episode I Racer" from LucasArts and "Kiss: Psycho Circus" from Gathering of Developers. Several of the games offer Internet multiplayer modes of play. For the first time, users will stream the software and simultaneously play against others over the Internet. As an example of how quick Stream Theory delivers software, "Deus Ex" is a 139 MB demo that takes roughly 50 minutes to download and install over a 384kbps broadband connection. Compare that to an average start time of 45 seconds when delivered by Stream Theory. It is clear to see that this opens up a whole new world for software distribution.

"We've received an enthusiastic response from GamePro.com's growing online community regarding streaming game demos delivered by Stream Theory," said John Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of IDG Games Media Group and Publisher of GamePro magazine and GamePro.com. "It is this kind of innovative gaming technology and ease-of-use that has helped GamePro.com become one of the most cutting-edge sites on the web. This partnership is just one of the many affiliations that GamePro.com is involved in, further increasing the site's stickiness and popularity."

Streaming PC demos are available in the "Downloads" area of GamePro.com and are identified by STREAM IT buttons. Broadband users simply click the STREAM IT button and, after a brief `jumpstarting' period, play the game. When finished, users are delivered back to the original web site, to a specific page designated by the site. The first time users choose to stream will result in a brief process whereby the 1.5MB Stream Theory Player is installed on their PC. Thereafter users can access PC demos in as little as a few seconds to a few minutes versus up to an hour spent downloading the same files, even with a fast Internet connection. There are many benefits with streaming software, including the elimination of downloading, zipped files and two tedious and scary procedures -- install and uninstall. Users are required to have broadband Internet access, such as cable modem, DSL or T1.

"We are excited that GamePro.com is using our service and taking a leading role in the evolving streaming software arena," said Steig Westerberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stream Theory. "Streaming demos provide GamePro.com the opportunity to gain repeat broadband visitors, increase advertising revenue and keep their visitors by integrating the gameplay experience on site -- not offsite, as is the case with traditional downloads."

Stream Theory completed a beta trial with GamePro.com last month where 80% of streaming software users said they would choose to stream a demo over downloading it and over 47% said they would `stream a lot more' than downloading. Results also found that over two-thirds of the beta users claim their number one concern about installing demo files is the fear that eventual "uninstalling" will not remove all of the unwanted files. Because Stream Theory delivers the interactive demo experience without installation, users are free to try as many titles as they want without being concerned about uninstalling any files.

About Stream Theory:

Founded in 1996, Stream Theory, Inc. has pioneered the era of instant streaming delivery and management of software on the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. The patent-pending streaming software service was developed for software publishers, developers, e-tailers, portals and application service providers. Any business application written in Windows 9X, Java, DOS and more, as well as entertainment software such as PC videogames and demos, can be streamed securely to PCs without any modification or "porting" of the software. Streamed applications execute locally in real-time and are never installed on the user's hard drive. Stream Theory technology provides a wide variety of streaming services, including streamed demos and trial versions, timed use of full applications, software rentals on a timed, per-use or flat-rate basis, online sales using streamed installation and integrated ad delivery surrounding software usage. Stream Theory simplifies software usage to increase "stickiness" of web sites, eliminate download hurdles and increase sampling, maximize online sales to reduce distribution costs, eliminate installation problems to reduce tech support costs and integrate targeted messages to increase ad revenue. Stream Theory delivers off-the-shelf and custom applications for ASPs (application service providers). Stream Theory eliminates the need for patches and updates to be installed locally. Stream Theory is a privately held company headquartered in Moffett Field, CA. For more information, please visit Stream Theory at www.streamtheory.com.