GAMARENA ACQUIRED BY JADESTONE GROUP

15 June 2007

Games distribution expanded with skill games acquisition

The Swedish pioneer in online game services for media companies and gaming operators, Jadestone group in Stockholm expanded its online games distribution capabilities this week by acquiring the outstanding shares in the multiplayer skill games operator GamArena Ab.

GamArena Ab, originally launched as a spinoff business from Jadestone last year, has quickly established itself as one of the top skill games entertainment providers on the market, claims Jadestone. The GamArena network pools players together from all over Europe and offers them a wide range of next generation sports, card and arcade games; including 8-Ball Pool, Solitaire, Backgammon and Golf Hole-in-One; all in a fun, competitive multiplayer environment. Players can challenge friends and colleagues for cash prizes, compete in jackpot tournaments and meet new players from all over Europe.

The company's skill games are delivered to leading distribution partners across Europe, including Aftonbladet, PAF, Unibet, Corelio and bwin. This allows partners to concentrate on building their own brand and position within the online gaming space whilst Jadestone takes care of supplying and operating the games portal.

Jadestone's CEO Robert Henrysson commented: “GamArena Ab has had a great first year. The company's rapidly growing partner base gives us a strong coverage of the European market. With these partners, we are sure to be able to reach the broad European games audience with our online games - both via GamArena and via new initiatives.

“We're investing in a state-of-the-art games platform, which can be fed with great games and community features. These immediately reach gamers in Europe through the most recognised games and media brands around. That's a great basis for further growth. We are already building new, complementary gaming experiences to offer our partners and players.

"These will include games both from Jadestone's own studio and from other great online game developers and publishers across the world.”

Andrew Pegler, Managing Director of GamArena Ab, said: “I'm very proud of what our company has accomplished over the last year. We have been very committed to providing an outstanding gaming service, and I'm happy to hear from many of our partners that they made the right decision to work with us. Now, with GamArena continuing to evolve rapidly under the Jadestone flag, we’re confident that the GamArena experience will get even better.”

Pegler will take on a senior role in Jadestone's sales and business development team. He will continue to oversee GamArena's business and it's key partner relationships, as well as further cementing Jadestone's presence in the UK market. GamArena Ab will continue to operate as a separate company with it's gaming license on Åland, Finland.

Some of the companies that have invested in business relationships with Jadestone on a long term basis are Eidos, Nokia, Boss Media, Folkspel, Sport1, Aftonbladet, NRK, MTV3, Swedish Television, Telenor and Canal+ Nordic.

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