NEW YORK, NY, September 30, 2008 - World Cyber Games (WCG), the recognized leader for global video game competitions, welcomes more than 200 of America’s very best gamers to the Los Angeles Convention Center from October 3-5 to compete at 14 top video games and the chance to take home a share of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes in the WCG USA National Final (http://us.wcg.com). More importantly, twenty five (25) WCG USA gold and silver medalists will earn coveted spots on the roster of gaming’s only TEAM USA and the opportunity to battle the world’s elite players at the WCG 2008 Grand Final taking place in Cologne, Germany November 5-9. TEAM USA will join 700-plus international players from more than 70 nations competing for a prize purse exceeding $500,000 and international e-Sports stardom at the WCG Grand Final. Team USA won the overall World Championship at the WCG 2007 Grand Final held in Seattle’s Qwest Field.

Gaming fans will be able to see several elite competitors live at this year’s WCG USA National Final as several returning members of last year’s WCG World Champion Team USA squad will participate, including:

Kamran Siddiqui – Need For Speed: ProStreet – Orlando, FL
Geoff Robinson - StarCraft: Brood War – Seattle, WA
Brian Boyle - Project Gotham Racing 4 – Chicago, IL
Wesley Cwiklo - Project Gotham Racing 4 - Los Angeles, CA
David Lathrop - Command and Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath - Syracuse, NY
Shawn Teeter - Command and Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath - San Diego, CA
Raghav Phadke - Age of Empires III – Buffalo, NY

Additionally, through a partnership with eSportsTV, fans who can’t be there live will be able to watch the tournament action with full play by play shoutcasting and up to the minute news online. Meanwhile, former pro-gamer and WCG USA emcee Andande “Swoozie” Thorne will also provide a fun insider’s look into the National Final via a series of exclusive video blogs. To view the video blogs and eSportsTV tournament coverage please log onto http://us.wcg.com and follow the corresponding links..

PC, Console and Mobile games featured in the WCG USA 2008 tournament include Half-Life: Counter Strike 1.6 (PC), StarCraft: Brood War (PC), WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne (PC), Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath (PC), Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties (PC), FIFA Soccer 08 (PC), Need For Speed: ProStreet (PC), Carom 3D (PC), Red Stone (PC), Halo 3 (Xbox 360), Project Gotham Racing 4 (Xbox 360), Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Xbox 360) and Virtua Fighter 5 (Xbox 360) Asphalt 4 Elite Racing (Mobile)

“Los Angeles will be the epicenter of both pro and recreational gaming action as the World Cyber Games USA National Final lands at the E For All expo as a spectacular ‘event within the event.’ Gaming fans and aspiring competitors can come out and see America’s very best video game players battle to become stars in e-Sports’ most prestigious tournament,” said Michael Arzt, general manager of World Cyber Games USA. “With more than $100,000 in cash and prizes on the line and only 25 precious spots on TEAM USA up for grabs, there’s no question that this year’s WCG USA Final, exploding amid the excitement of E For All, is the year’s must-attend gaming event.”

All visitors to E for All will have the opportunity to take in the action and fun at this year’s WCG National Final as well as win trips, cash and prizes. WCG Worldwide Partner, Samsung, will have a major presence, highlighted by the Samsung Experience and Samsung Mobile Challenge. “Samsung Electronics supports the WCG in America and in 70 countries around the world because we understand that gaming is a key passion and driver for our consumers,” said Steven Cook, senior vice president and chief strategic marketing officer, Samsung Electronics America. “We are constantly seeking new and engaging ways to blend the intersections between our consumers’ interests and our products. The WCG is a perfect example of how consumers’ passions, along with Samsung’s imagination, leading edge technology and design intersect to deliver a unique experience.”

Samsung Telecommunications America presents the WCG’s biggest free walk-up tournament ever: The Samsung Mobile Challenge. Visitors are invited to compete at Asphalt 4 on Samsung phones for an unprecedented opportunity to win $1,000 and a trip to the WCG 2008 Grand Final as an OFFICIAL MEMBER of TEAM USA and the very special chance to compete for up to $10,000 against 9 other nations’ finalists at the WCG 2008 Grand Final in Cologne, Germany. In addition, visitors can check out some of Samsung’s hottest new mobile phones currently available, plus some sneak previews of what’s yet to come.

Next-door at the Samsung Blu-Ray Experience, fans can check out the latest in high definition home entertainment technology, including HDTV’s featuring Samsung Electronics’ truly-immersive home 3D video technology, true Hi-Definition 1080p Television and HD gaming demonstrations showcasing the incredible new Iron Man Blu-Ray DVD and the Iron Man video game, respectively. Gamers will also have the opportunity to try their skill playing as Iron Man on the Xbox 360 for chances to win Best Buy gift cards, awarded hourly in a fun walk-up tournament. In addition, every PC and console game station in the WCG USA National Final tournament will exclusively feature Samsung’s spectacular new Touch of Color PC monitors or HDTV’s.

WCG USA Premier Partner Microsoft Xbox 360 will offer fans yet another unprecedented special preview opportunity as they allow gamers to get their hands on this holiday’s most-anticipated game title. For the first time anywhere, and only at the WCG USA at E For All, lucky gamers can play the all-new Gears of War 2 cooperative mode, “Horde.” This is an incredible opportunity to be among the first gamers anywhere to team up and fend off a seemingly endless onslaught of Locust forces to attain the highest score. Several other unique and fun “Gears of War” giveaways and promotions will take place throughout each day.

Philips amBX, will be on hand to present a variety of top PC titles that have been “amBX enabled” to deliver the ultimate sensory gaming experience.

Dust-Off will allow visitors a spin on their incredible prize wheel that showcases some of their most innovative products, including the incredible “Quiver” carrying case for gamers.

WCG USA at E for All show dates and hours at the Los Angeles Convention Center are:

Friday, October 3 10:00AM - 8:00PM
Saturday, October 4 10:00AM - 7:00PM
Sunday, October 5 10:00AM - 4:00PM

WCG USA event highlights include:

Opening Ceremony: Friday October, 3rd 5:00PM
Tournament Play and Stage Matches: Friday - Sunday
Closing Ceremony: Sunday October, 5th 2:00PM

For more information about the WCG USA National Final and Team USA please go to http://us.wcg.com.

For more info about attending the E For All expo at the L.A. Convention Center, including ticket information, please go to www.eforallexpo.com.

Many of you may find it fascinating that while the WCG exclude the Wii, PS3, DS and PSP for any sort of competition, mobile gaming is strongly represented with the cellphone title Asphalt 3: Street Rules. Yes, participants from 70 countries assemble once a year to play a shitty Outrun knock-off on mobile phones. That's the world we actually live in.

Official WCG 2008 PC Games:
· Half-Life®: Counter-Strike™ 1.6 (5 v. 5 Team FPS )
· Starcraft®: Brood War™: (1 v. 1 RTS)
· WarCraft® III: The Frozen Throne™ (1 v. 1 RTS)
· Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath™ (1 v. 1 RTS)
· Age of Empires® III: The Asian Dynasties (1 v. 1 RTS)
· FIFA Soccer 08 (1 v. 1 Sports)
· Need For Speed™ ProStreet (Xbox 360 in US & Canada) (1 v. 1 Racing)
· Carom3D (1 v. 1 Casual)
· Red Stone (4 v. 4 Team MMORPG)

Official WCG 2008 Xbox 360 Games:
· Halo® 3 (4 v. 4 Team FPS)
· Project Gotham Racing® 4 (1 v. 1 Racing)
· Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock (1 v. 1 Music)
· Virtua Fighter® 5 (1 v. 1 Fighting)

Official WCG 2008 Mobile Game:
· Asphalt 3: Street Rules (1 v. 1 Racing)

WORLD CYBER GAMES ANNOUNCES TEAM USA

America's 22 Best Gamers To Compete Against Over 700 PlayersFrom 75 Countries In e-Sports' Biggest and Most Prestigious Tournament - The 2007 World Cyber Games Grand Final - Taking Place In Seattle Oct. 4-7

(Orlando, September 16, 2007) - The World Cyber Games (WCG) 2007 USA Championship: National Final concluded today at Universal Orlando Resort with 22 of the finest video game players in the country earning a share of $100,000 in cash and prizes and spot on TEAM USA's roster. Now the American Team will travel to Seattle, Washington October 4-7 to compete on the biggest stage in competitive gaming — The World Cyber Games 2007 Grand Final.

Earlier this year, over 10,000 gamers set out to make the United States' national team by enduring online qualifiers, live regional qualifiers and finally the WCG USA National Final. Those elite 22 players now comprise TEAM USA and will face off next month against 700 top gamers from 75 countries for gold medals and a share of nearly $500,000 in cash and prizes.

Team USA 2007 Includes:

PC
StarCraft®: Brood War™
Champion: Geoff Robinson (Mill Creek, WA)
Runner Up: Daniel Eidson (Reston, VA)

WarCraft® III: Frozen Throne™
Champion: Phil Crawford (Hopewell Junction, NY)

CounterStrike™
Champion: Team Emazing Games (eMg)
Michael Guevara (Queens, NY)
Scott Cavallero (Vineland, NJ)
Matt Beahan (Plymouth Meeting, PA)
Nazar Vynnytsky (Queens, NY)
Robert Irey Jr. (Birdsboro, PA)

FIFA Soccer 07
Champion: Felipe Stoyne (South Plainfield, NJ)

Need for Speed™: Carbon
Champion: Kamran Siddiqui (Orlando, FL)

Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™
Champion: Shawn Teeter (San Diego, CA)
Runner-Up: David Lathrop (Fulton, NY)

Age of Empires® III: The WarChiefs
Champion: Ragave Phadke (Buffalo, NY)

Xbox 360 Games
Project Gotham Racing® 3
Champion: Wes Cwiklo (Camarillo, CA)
Brian Boyle (Lincolnshire, IL)

Dead or Alive® 4
Champion: Carl White (Toledo, OH)
Runner-Up: Jeremy Florence (Rio Rancho, NM)

Gears of War®
Champion: Team Infinite
Keith Haggen (Phoenix, AZ)
Jesse Cranker (Bowling Green, OH)
Michael Cannon (Harrisburg, PA)
Jesse Rodriguez (Chicago, IL)

Tony Hawk's Project 8TM
Champion: Dustin Valcalda (Reno, NV)

Widely regarded as the "Olympics" of competitive video game tournaments, this year's WCG USA National Final showcased some of the most exciting and competitive gaming action in e-Sports. With an audience of well over 10,000, packing the Universal Studios' Soundstage 33 over the course of the three day event, this year's WCG USA Championship series was by far the most competitive National Final in the league's seven year history.

"The high level of play at the WCG USA 2007 National Final not only exceeded my expectations, it was a great indication of the progression of e-Sports in this country," said Michael Arzt, General Manager, World Cyber Games USA. "TEAM USA has a tremendous opportunity to compete against some of the world's most renowned gamers and bring home some serious hardware. Next month's WCG Grand Final will certainly be an event not to miss."

The 22 players who comprise TEAM USA's roster will now travel to host city Seattle, WA on October 4th - 7th for the 2007 World Cyber Games Grand Final, taking place at Qwest Field.

The World Cyber Games 2007 National Final will be televised on Spike TV on October 12th. The Grand Final will be televised on November 9th.

WCG Invites Gamers' Opinions on WCG 2006 Rules [TeamXbox]

The UK leg of the WCG is throwing down the mitten today (midday) at London's NamcoStation, nestled on the London's South Bank.

There's an incredible prize up for a member of the public too - if you're any good at Need For Speed Underground 2, get down there, because the person with the best score at the end of the day gets to go to Singapore for an all-expenses paid trip with the UK WCG team! Yup - you'd be the UK's Need For Speed Pro Gamer (at least for a week!).

Starts in 90 minutes!

Still looking for a way to get your mom off your back about the whole "not having a job" thing? Fear not, fellow gamer. The World Cyber Games have announced another round of "Last Chance" preliminary qualifiers for their 2005 tournament. The games played will include Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War, Starcraft: Brood War, Counter-Strike, Halo 2, and Warcraft III: Frozen Throne. Prelim winners will go on to play in the regionals, then have a chance at the nationals in NYC and possibly the finals in Singapore.

Get off your duff, prove to your parents you're more than Taco Bell material, and show 'em how Billings, Montana takes it to the house! More info can be found at the link below.

Local Preliminary Registration [WCG]

-SM