Stream Theory and Interplay Provide an Exclusive Streaming Demo of a Popular PC Game

Business Wire, Jan 24, 2001

Business Editors and High-Tech/Entertainment Writers

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2001

Game Publisher Interplay Issuing Authorized U.S. Version of

"Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn" Demo Exclusively

in Stream Theory Proprietary Format

Stream Theory, Inc., an innovative start-up with proprietary technology to quickly deliver software applications over broadband, wireless, and other delivery platforms, today announced an exclusive streaming demo of "Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn," the role playing game of the year developed by BioWare Corp. and published by Interplay. The official U.S. interactive demo is available only on partner web sites via proprietary streaming technology from Stream Theory. The demo's extremely large file size, more than 640 MB, showcases the versatility of the streaming software service from Stream Theory.

"We are confident in the quality of the user experience and are pleased to launch this authorized streaming demo in the U.S. exclusively with Stream Theory," said Cal Morell, president of Interplay.com. "Baldur's Gate II is a very popular role playing game whose massive size does not lend itself to a typical 'download and install the demo' marketing program for facilitating user trial. Stream Theory technology allows us to ignore file size limitations and deliver broadband users a rich online interactive trial. Stream Theory opens up a brand new marketing opportunity for our game."

In addition to being available on Interplay and Stream Theory web sites, the Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn streaming demo can be found on several software portal and e-tail sites that feature streaming demos powered by Stream Theory. Partner sites include GameStop.com, CNET Gamecenter.com, GamePro.com, Adrenaline Vault and FirstLook.

"The addition of the Baldur's Gate II exclusive to GameStop.com's existing streaming demo library of over 100 titles further strengthens our commitment to offer the best `try before you buy' experience to our broadband customers," said John Woodson, president, Internet division of Babbage's Etc. "Stream Theory brings an interactive life to the shopping experience."

"We are honored to work closely with Interplay and our partners to provide a compelling experience for broadband visitors to their sites," said Steig Westerberg, president and CEO of Stream Theory. "Baldur's Gate II is a prime example of how a large file (640 MB) cannot be effectively downloaded and installed by most users, but can be easily streamed by those with broadband connections."

Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, the latest sequel in the top-selling Baldur's Gate role playing game series published by Interplay and developed by BioWare Corp. Since achieving full distribution at retail, Baldur's Gate II and its Collector's Edition version have combined to dominate PC game sales in North America, generating an estimated $4 million dollars between September 17 and September 30, 2000, according to PC Data, thus making Baldur's Gate II Interplay's best-selling PC title ever at launch.

Users are required to have broadband Internet access, such as cable modem, DSL or T1. The first time a user chooses to stream will result in a brief process whereby the 1.8MB Stream Theory Player is installed on their PC. Once the player is installed users can stream applications instantly, eliminating the process of downloading, installing and uninstalling 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 DVD-ROMs. 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/Me, 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, eliminates download hurdles and increases sampling, maximizes online sales to reduce distribution costs, eliminates installation problems to reduce tech support costs and integrates 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, Calif. For more information, please visit Stream Theory at www.streamtheory.com.