|
GRAPHIX ZONE EXPANDS INTO GAMES BUSINESS WITH INSCAPE ACQUISITION
Click on image to visit site
Irvine, CA, February 27, 1997 -- Graphix Zone
(NASDAQ: GZON), a major independent entertainment and interactive music
publisher, announced the expansion of its games business today with the
acquisition of Inscape (a
partnership between HBO, Warner Music Group and Nash New Media) as well as
acquisitions from several individual developers. Inscape, best known for its
ground-breaking, graphically rich role-playing games, including the
award-winning The Residents' Bad Day on the Midway and The Dark Eye,
will become the company's game division and its premier game imprint.
In addition to securing top Inscape assets, Graphix Zone also
takes on key members of the management and creative teams. Joining
Graphix Zone Chairman Ron Posner and President Norm Block on the
senior management team are Rob Sebastian (Inscape) as vice president
marketing and David Boss, (Inscape) vice president and general
manager. Inscape's creative team, headed by Rebekah Behrendt, project
director, and Brock LaPorte, vice president of technology, continue
their responsibilities for Inscape title development under the new
operating structure. Inscape's partner will become a shareholder of
Graphix Zone as a result of the deal.
"Our entry in the games arena represents a grassroots
consolidation effort designed to build the critical mass we believe
is necessary t operate in today's multimedia marketplace," stated
Posner. "By combining the assets of Graphix Zone, Inscape and others,
we are establishing a diversified product line and strong management
foundation from which to continue our consolidation efforts in the
multimedia arena."
"We intend to build upon our games business so that it can operate
in this highly competitive market by acquiring outstanding assets at
optimal cost and minimal creative risk," continued Posner. "The
economics of the distribution channel has been the driving force
behind the consolidation moves we see throughout the industry,
creating great opportunities for Graphix Zone to acquire additional
properties."
"In the games arena Graphix Zone will focus on the three most
profitable gaming genres -- action/adventure, role playing and
strategy -- as well as build brands, either from original properties
or outstanding licenses like Tales From The Crypt, Wheel of
Fortune and Jeopardy," stated Sebastian. "This merger
combines the best of Inscape's creativity with Graphix Zone's
financial acumen and allows us to greatly expand the breadth and
scope of our games line-up."
For the past 12 years, Posner has been a leader in the
consolidation of the PC business software industry, having engineered
over 10 transactions for five different companies, including the
merger of WordStar with SoftKey and Spinnaker in a $250 million
transaction that created one of the largest independent software
companies, SoftKey International, now worth over $500 million. Posner
more recently has focused on the consolidation of the multimedia
publishing industry and was instrumental in the merger of Grapix Zone
and StarPress, which itself was created in 1995 by Posner through the
merger of Great Bear Technology and StarPress Multimedia.
Graphix Zone intends to focus on three growing markets: games,
entertainment and Internet products. Game titles will be developed
and distributed under the Inscape banner, while interactive music,
branded entertainment and Internet products will continue to be sold
under the Graphix Zone label.
Graphix Zone intends to release 12 - 16 titles in 1997, building
the slate with assets acquired from Inscape and individual
developers. Acquisitions from Inscape include: Tales From The
Crypt (Inscape internal project), Ground Effect (Angel
Studios), HyperWar (Ground Zero Productions) and KGB
Files (Blue Sky).
Graphix Zone's library includes more than 60 CD-ROMs and enhanced
CD-ROMs, including interactive music titles, film and television
adaptions, education and reference titles. The titles include, among
others: Herbie Hancock Presents Living Jazz, Willie: The
Life and Music of Willie Nelson, Under the Covers
featuring The Eagles, NIXON: The CD-ROM and The Crow:
Complete Interactive Collection.. Graphix Zone Internet products
include: SmartNet Internet Everything, SmartNet Power
Accessories, SmartNet Singles series and ExpressNet
Suite with Netscape Navigator 2.0 and 3.0.
Based in Irvine, Calif., Graphix Zone, Inc. publishes interactive
multimedia products on CD-ROM, hybrid and Internet platforms and will
publish on future platforms such as DVD.
All content Copyright © 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Coming Soon Magazine, Inc. All
Rights reserved.
|