thedrifter
06-18-07, 06:43 PM
ESPN.com Launches Free Arcade Site
Mike Shields
JUNE 18, 2007 -
ESPN.com is getting in the casual games business. The site has launched a new channel, ESPNArcade.com, where users can play more than 40 games for free.
To populate the new channel ESPN has partnered with the advergame developer Skyworks, which already manages the casual games Rcade.com. As a result of the new partnership, that site now redirects users to ESPNArcade, which features a variety of virtual tests of skill, ranging from card and puzzle games, to bar games like air hockey and darts to more intense sports titles like golf or basketball.
All of the games on the new channel are free and ad supported, with the U.S. Marines having signed on as a debut ESPNArcade sponsor.
ESPN’s move into the casual games space comes two years after CBS Sportsline launched a similar ad-supported channel featuring games ranging from Full Throttle Speedway to Chess and Backgammon.
ESPN executives say that gaming is an increasingly impactful way to engage with sports fans on the Web “Gaming is an important and fast-growing part of a fan’s connection to sports,” said Raphael Poplock, vp, gaming, ESPN Enterprises. “The ESPN Arcade is the latest addition to ESPN’s array of gaming initiatives...all to provide sports fans with interactive connections to sports.”
Ellie
Mike Shields
JUNE 18, 2007 -
ESPN.com is getting in the casual games business. The site has launched a new channel, ESPNArcade.com, where users can play more than 40 games for free.
To populate the new channel ESPN has partnered with the advergame developer Skyworks, which already manages the casual games Rcade.com. As a result of the new partnership, that site now redirects users to ESPNArcade, which features a variety of virtual tests of skill, ranging from card and puzzle games, to bar games like air hockey and darts to more intense sports titles like golf or basketball.
All of the games on the new channel are free and ad supported, with the U.S. Marines having signed on as a debut ESPNArcade sponsor.
ESPN’s move into the casual games space comes two years after CBS Sportsline launched a similar ad-supported channel featuring games ranging from Full Throttle Speedway to Chess and Backgammon.
ESPN executives say that gaming is an increasingly impactful way to engage with sports fans on the Web “Gaming is an important and fast-growing part of a fan’s connection to sports,” said Raphael Poplock, vp, gaming, ESPN Enterprises. “The ESPN Arcade is the latest addition to ESPN’s array of gaming initiatives...all to provide sports fans with interactive connections to sports.”
Ellie