Trion World Network, Publisher and Developer of Connected Games and Entertainment, Raises 30 Million from Global Media Giants, Top VCs

Business Wire, July 9, 2007

Venture Capital Firm Rustic Canyon Leads Round; Time Warner, GE/NBC Universal's Peacock Equity, and Bertelsmann AG's BDMI Invest, Endorse Trion's Leading Role in Defining Games and Entertainment for the Connected Era

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Trion World Network, Inc. (Trion) has raised 30 million dollars of funding in its latest round led by Rustic Canyon Partners, the LA-based VC firm with strong ties to the media and entertainment industry. Time Warner, a leading media and entertainment company, GE/NBC Universal's Peacock Equity Fund, as well as Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI), a unit of global media company Bertelsmann AG, Europe's leading entertainment group, invested side-by-side, strengthening Trion's unique ability to bring a new level of original entertainment to the Broadband era on a global scale. Existing Trion investors, DCM and Trinity Ventures also participated.

"Receiving the backing of three of the world's top five media companies and three top VCs is an exceptional endorsement and provides Trion with unrivaled access and support that further strengthens our unique position in defining the future of connected games and entertainment," commented Lars Buttler, CEO and co-founder of Trion.

Trion will utilize the additional funding and relationships with the media stalwarts and content IP owners to develop and publish new connected games and entertainment franchises. Nate Redmond, Partner at Rustic Canyon, will join the board.

"The global media and entertainment industry is entering a disruptive cycle," Nate Redmond, Rustic Canyon, said. "Trion is uniquely positioned to define the future standard for dynamic games and entertainment across connected devices, by leveraging innovative technologies to build premium content channels around live programming. Rustic Canyon is pleased to be working with the top talent assembled at Trion to bring a new model to this large opportunity."

"Trion's network service model for connected entertainment has the potential to dramatically impact how our industry creates and monetizes content and how consumers participate in the entertainment experience," noted Rachel Lam, senior vice president, Time Warner Investments.

Trion's mission is to revolutionize entertainment by combining the best of online, gaming and traditional media. By designing and developing powerful new technologies, new content, and new publishing capabilities, Trion is poised to be a leader in the emerging global multi-billion dollar connected entertainment market.

Led by Dr. Lars Buttler, former Vice President for Global Online at Electronic Arts, and Jon Van Caneghem, former founder and CEO of New World Computing and creator of the best-selling Might and Magic and Heroes game franchises, Trion has assembled a world-class team of gaming and online veterans with proven success and talent in business, original content development and technology who have developed and shipped more than 100 original titles.

About Trion World Network

Trion World Network, Inc. is the publisher and developer of games and original entertainment for the connected world. Trion provides groundbreaking new capabilities and content to revolutionize global entertainment by combining the best elements of online, gaming, and traditional media. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, and with a Technology Center in Austin, Texas, Trion combines unrivaled experience and vision in the online entertainment industry with a world-class team of Internet and gaming veterans. Privately held, Trion investors include Time Warner, NBC-Universal, GE, Bertelsmann, Rustic Canyon, DCM and Trinity Ventures.

About Rustic Canyon

Rustic Canyon Partners is an early stage venture capital firm that invests in exceptional entrepreneurs building transformational companies. The investment team works collaboratively, drawing on a diverse set of experiences as successful entrepreneurs, managers, and strategic and financial advisors. With over $900 million in funds under management, Rustic Canyon is one of the largest firms based in Southern California, with strong presence in Silicon Valley and Seattle. Key investment themes include Internet/media convergence, clean technology, technology-enabled services, information services, and wireless and wireline broadband.

About Time Warner Investments

The Time Warner Investments group targets non-control strategic investments that have a clear impact on Time Warner's divisional operations and directly enhance the Company's ability to meet specific strategic goals. Time Warner Inc. is a leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television networks and publishing.

About Peacock Equity

Peacock Equity (peacockequity.com) is a $250 million equity capital fund founded by GE Commercial Finance's Media, Communications & Entertainment business (geMCE.com) and NBC Universal (nbcuni.com). Introduced in April 2007, the joint venture focuses on companies developing technologies, platforms or business models that are a strategic fit to NBC Universal and have high growth potential. Peacock Equity's capital investments, which include advertising services, digital content and communities, wireless and international platforms, range from $3 to $15 million each.