New Video Game Market Research to Be Unveiled at Entertainment for All™ Expo

Business Wire, August 14, 2007

Studies from IDG Entertainment and IDC to provide new insight into evolving face of gamers and tomorrow's video game retail landscape

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- IDG World Expo today announced that two new studies from IDG Entertainment (IDGE) and research firm IDC profiling today's gamers and the future of the video game market will be presented at Entertainment for All[TM] Expo (E for All[TM]) (www.eforallexpo.com), to be held October 18-21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The research findings, which will be shared in-depth with video game retailers and provided to the media in top-line form, will reveal new insights into gamers' tastes and purchasing behaviors, as well as the evolution of the video game market.

IDG Entertainment has spent 18 years studying game buyers to better understand what gamers have in common and how they differ. Through careful psychographic analysis, IDGE has divided gamers into five distinct segments and will share its findings about this ever-growing and evolving population.

"Today's gamers have increasingly diverse needs and expectations," said Simon Tonner, Marketing Director, IDG Entertainment. "Understanding gamers is more complex and more critical than ever for anyone involved with the interactive entertainment industry. This research will provide brand new data and a depth of methodology that make it truly unique. E for All Expo will be the center of the game universe in October, making it the perfect place to release this research."

IDC Research will complement the IDGE psychographic gaming study with results from its latest study, Worldwide Connected Console 2007-2011, which provides key data on the console gaming market and how it will impact video game sales opportunities for retailers, publishers, and console manufacturers. Special analysis presented at E for All will focus on the impact downloadable content and episodic games will have on the video game market and what retailers and others need to do to prepare for these advancements.

"IDC will present the most comprehensive research that forecasts revenue derived only from online consoles," said Billy Pidgeon, program manager of consumer markets, gaming for IDC. " It is more critical than ever that those in the industry are prepared and are taking advantage of the changes in gaming technology and distribution, and these studies provide important insight in that regard."

IDGE and IDC will present their in-depth findings on Friday, October 19 during an informal, round table-style discussion and Q&A with retail buyers. Top-line data will be released to the media immediately afterward. Sample questions IDGE and IDC will answer include:

* Who is buying the Wii[TM] console and how are they changing the face of the market?

* What are the top three things gamers are looking for in their next game?

* Which gamers are embracing the Xbox 360[TM] or PlayStation[R]3 as the center of their digital household?

"E for All Expo is all about gamers, and this new research will provide an unprecedented level of understanding about this important market segment," said Mary Dolaher, CEO of IDG World Expo. "With an increased level of interest in games and the rapid pace at which new game technology is being created, we are thrilled to work with IDGE and IDC to provide this important new element of E for All."

About E for All[TM] (www.EforAllExpo.com)

Produced by IDG World Expo, Entertainment for All(TM) Expo (E for All[TM]) is North America's premiere video game event. A celebration of video games and the people who play them, the event will bring together the entire game community, from consumers and media to publishers, developers and retailers. The Expo will feature exhibits from leading interactive entertainment companies that will allow consumers to try and buy the newest and hottest video games and gadgets. Other event highlights include the World Series of Video Games (WSVG) competitive gaming tournament, the acclaimed Video Games Live[TM] concert, celebrity appearances, the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Game Careers Seminar, and "Into the Pixel," an exhibition of video game art. E for All will be held October 18-21, 2007, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. For more information, please visit www.eforallexpo.com.

About IDG World Expo

IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com) produces tradeshows, conferences and events for professionals seeking world-class education, peer-to-peer networking and one-stop comparison shopping. IDG World Expo's portfolio of conferences and events includes Entertainment for All[TM] (E for All(TM)), Macworld Conference & Expo[R], LinuxWorld Conference & Expo[R], LinuxWorld[R] OpenSolutions Summit[TM], Next Generation Data Center[TM] (NGDC[TM]), and SaaScon[TM]. IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

About IDG Entertainment

For more than 18 years IDG Entertainment (IDGE) has led the industry by providing a portfolio of highly read multiplatform gaming magazines and websites. Properties include GamePro magazine and the IDG Entertainment Online Network with nearly 9 million unique visitors per month, including GamePro.com, GameProFamily.com, Games.net, GamerHelp.com, GameDownloads.com, BlogFaction.com, Modojo.com, GameRevolution.com and MegaGames.com. The portfolio provides synergy between print and digital properties, reaching nearly 13 million consumers monthly.