The Game Is On: Verizon Wireless And Gameloft Begin The New Age Of Mobile Gaming

BEDMINSTER, NJ & NEW YORK — Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the only coast-coast wide-area wireless broadband network in the United States, and Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of games for mobile phones, have launched the first real-time multiplayer mobile game on Verizon Wireless' V CAST consumer multimedia service. Available exclusively to Verizon Wireless V CAST customers, Asphalt Urban GT^TM: Multiplayer allows players to simultaneously compete in Gameloft's latest 3D driving game.

Now mobile gamers can compete in real time, head-to-head game play in a virtual race in Gameloft's newest racing challenge, Asphalt Urban GT: Multiplayer. In real-time game play, players compete, accelerate and cross the finish line with competitors nationwide. Asphalt Urban GT: Multiplayer is the next evolution of the successful Asphalt Urban GT game, the first mobile phone game to also be available on the Nintendo DS system.

"Gameloft is very excited to bring Asphalt Urban GT, the flagship in real-time multiplayer mobile technology, to Verizon Wireless' extensive line-up of V CAST 3D games," said Michel Guillemot, president of Gameloft. "This clearly demonstrates the significance of the real time multiplayer and the impact it will have on the way mobile games are played and perceived."

Bill Stone, vice president of marketing for Verizon Wireless, said "With Gameloft's Asphalt Urban GT: Multiplayer, V CAST customers can compete in real-time, which more closely resembles the console gaming experience. Verizon Wireless' broadband network enables this next step forward in mobile gaming, allowing customers to participate in head-to-head competition, rather than taking turns."

Verizon Wireless is celebrating the recent V CAST launch in the San Francisco Bay Area by conducting the Verizon Wireless Extreme 3D Gaming Challenge and gaming competition featuring the Asphalt Urban GT: Multiplayer game played on the new Motorola E815 V CAST handset. When the competition begins on September 10, racing junkies will be speeding their way through 12 qualifying rounds at participating locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. The competition will culminate with a final competition in San Francisco's Union Square on September 24 where the best of the best will face off to decide who will be the victor in Verizon Wireless' mobile gaming competition. Gamers will compete for chances to win music CDs, concert tickets, and a grand prize including an Oakland Raiders luxury suite party for up to 16 guests. For more information about the Extreme 3D Gaming Challenge, visit www.vcastextreme3d.com.  

Gameloft is the only premier mobile game developer that has real-time multiplayer technology, allowing players to create an online gaming community through their wireless phones. Exclusively available to Verizon Wireless V CAST customers, Gameloft's real-time multiplayer capability gives players the ability to seek out, challenge and defeat their friends within the V CAST coverage area.

V CAST is available in more than 60 major metropolitan areas from coast to coast and at many of the nation's busiest airports. There are no airtime charges for V CAST customers to download 3D games and customers can find 3D games on select V CAST-enabled phones in the getGAMES shopping aisle of the Get It Now® virtual store.

Asphalt Urban GT: Multiplayer and an array of other hot new 3D Games are located in the V CAST Games section of the getGAMES shopping aisle of the Get It Now virtual store. Speed demons with a V CAST-enabled phone can download Asphalt Urban GT: Multiplayer for $2.99 monthly access or $8.49 for unlimited use purchase. Customers need a V CAST-enabled phone and be in a V CAST coverage area to access V CAST games.

V CAST from Verizon Wireless allows customers to view crystal clear video clips from the hottest names in entertainment, news, sports and more in the palms of their hands. Customers looking for the full array of V CAST video content can sign up the V CAST V Pak for $15.00 monthly access added to their Verizon Wireless calling plan. Unlimited basic video clips are included, but application download fees apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content. Subject to customer agreement, calling plan, and Get It Now agreements. V CAST V Pak subscription, V CAST phone, and V CAST coverage area required. Coverage and services not available in all areas.

For more information on V CAST from Verizon Wireless, visit www.getvcast.com. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

About Gameloft
Gameloft is a leading international publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones. Established in 1999, it has emerged as one of the top innovators in its field. The company creates games for mobile handsets equipped with Java, Brew or Symbian technology. The total number of mobile handsets with this technology is anticipated to exceed one billion units in 2007.

Partnership agreements with leading licensors and sports personalities Ubisoft Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Paramount Studios, Dreamworks, Vans, Derek Jeter, Vijay Singh and Geoff Rowley allow Gameloft to form strong relationships with international brands. In addition to its partnerships, Gameloft owns and operates titles such as Block Breaker Deluxe, Asphalt: Urban GT, New York Nights and Siberian Strike.

Through agreements with major telephone wireless carriers, handset manufacturers, specialized distributors and its online shop, Gameloft has a distribution network in over 65 countries.

For more information, visit www.gameloft.com.  

© 2004 Gameloft. All Rights Reserved. Gameloft, Gameloft logo and Asphalt: Urban GT are trademarks of Gameloft in the US and/or other countries. Aston Martin - Aston Martin, Vanquish and DB9, and the Aston Martin logo are trademarks owned and licensed by Aston Martin Lagonda © 2004 Aston Martin Lagonda. Audi - trademarks, design patents and copyrights are used with the approval of the owner AUDI AG. Ford Motor - Ford Oval and nameplates are registered trademarks owned and licensed by Ford Motor Company. General Motors - General Motors Trademarks used under license to Gameloft. Jaguar - Jaguar, XKR and the Leaper Device are trademarks owned and licensed by Jaguar Cars Limited © 2004 Jaguar Cars Limited. Lamborghini - The trademarks, copyrights and design rights in and associated with Lamborghini and Murciélago, Murciélago R-GT, Gallardo, and Gallardo Police car are used under licence from Lamborghini ArtiMarca S.p.A., Italy. Lotus - Lotus Exige and associated logos, emblems and body designs are trade marks and/or other intellectual property of "Group Lotus plc" and are used under license by Gameloft. Morgan Motors - Morgan Aero and body designs are trademarks and/or intellectual property of Morgan Motors and are used under license to Gameloft. Nissan — Official Nissan Product. Nissan, 350Z, Skyline, and associated symbols, emblems and designs are trademarks of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and used under license to Gameloft. Saleen - Saleen® and Saleen® S7^TM, its vehicle model names and their proprietary designs are registered trademarks of Saleen, Inc. used under license to Gameloft. Shelby - Shelby® and Shelby GT-500^TM are registered trademarks and/or intellectual property of Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. and are used by Gameloft under license. TVR - TVR, Sagaris and body designs are registered trademarks and/or intellectual property of TVR Engineering Limited and are used under license to Gameloft. Volkswagen - Volkswagen trademarks, design patents and copyrights are the intellectual property of Volkswagen AG and are used under license to Gameloft.

####