July 17, 2007

Big Fish Games and National Geographic Team Up To Take Consumers to Mount Everest and to Paris, France

Branded games partnership will bring hit adventure and travel games to an expanded gaming audience worldwide

Big Fish Games and National Geographic Ventures, the taxable subsidiary of one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, today announced a new partnership to distribute two National Geographic branded versions of Big Fish Games’ top franchises. “Hidden Expedition: Everest” and “Travelogue 360: Paris” will be distributed through a variety of National Geographic’s online and physical distribution channels to deliver adventure and travel-themed casual games to National Geographic’s audience. National Geographic will also join Big Fish Games’ Principal Network Partner affiliate program, making them the largest partner in the program to date.

Both games distributed by National Geographic will be branded within a new “National Geographic Presents” series, designed to feature games with subject matter pertinent to National Geographic’s mission to inspire people to care about the planet. Custom National Geographic modifications will be made to the games, such as including links to relevant areas within nationalgeographic.com from certain points in the games. A player currently exploring the summit of Mount Everest in “Hidden Expedition” will be able to view National Geographic’s rich repository of video, photos, stories and other editorial from previous Everest expeditions and from National Geographic’s incredible collection of exploration and adventure content.

“We believe these games are a natural fit for National Geographic and our audience,” said Paul Levine, Vice President and head of National Geographic’s Games Group. “We want to inspire people to explore our world through these cutting edge games while promoting our mission and core values of great adventure storytelling with stunning images. “Hidden Expedition” and “Travelogue 360” allow us to do that with a fun and interactive approach.”

“Hidden Expedition: Everest,” the sequel to “Hidden Expedition: Titanic,” is a hidden object game that takes players on a race around the world in an effort to ultimately ascend Mount Everest. “Hidden Expedition: Everest,” released in late May, is already the top selling casual game of 2007. The game features Ed Viesturs, world-renowned high altitude mountaineer, to deepen the experience of the original game with rich multimedia presenting the real world of high altitude climbing. “Travelogue 360: Paris” is a travel-themed hidden object game that allows users to explore and discover secrets throughout Paris, while putting together a feature for a travel magazine. The game’s use of immersive 360-degree photographic scenes led to being awarded “Best Technology of 2006” by the Casual Games Association.

“Big Fish Games is extremely delighted to partner with National Geographic,” said Paul Thelen, CEO, Big Fish Games. “This allows our games to reach an entirely new audience that National Geographic brings to the table through its various media and distribution assets, and at the same time allows game players access to the great travel and adventure content of National Geographic. I believe this partnership will continue to expand the casual games industry.”

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