January 26, 2007
TIGER ELECTRONICS UNVEILS NET JET
ONLINE GAME SYSTEM FOR TWEENS
PC-Based System Supported by 40
Casual Games Across Multiple Genres at Launch
Tiger Electronics, a division of
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), today announced plans to introduce the NET JET
instant-play online game system aimed at kids between the ages of 6-11. NET JET
will be supported by a dedicated controller and 40 games at launch developed or
licensed exclusively for the system by leading third-party online game
developers. The NET JET lineup – with games based on properties such as Hasbro’s
SUPER SOAKER, Cartoon Network’s Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and The Grim
Adventures of Billy and Mandy and Marble Blast XP from GarageGames — will offer
an exciting blend of high quality, immersive content in popular tween categories
such as racing, extreme sports, puzzlers and action/strategy.
NET JET, which features a gated and
ad-free online gameplay environment, will be on store shelves on February 11 in
New York followed by a national launch in fall 2007. The system will also be
available starting on February 11 at
www.hasbrotoyshop.com.
Kids can learn more about NET JET at
www.netjetinfo.com.
“NET JET is absolutely ‘on-trend’
for toy and children’s entertainment products for 2007,” said Chris Byrne,
contributing editor to Toy Wishes magazine aka The Toy Guy®. “Combining a
versatile controller with access to excellent online game content, a gated
online gameplay environment and reasonable cost, this is a standout item for the
year. Moreover, Tiger has embraced the rapidly changing nature of the gaming
market in creating a system that is renewable, expandable and customizable to
the individual user—all critical elements in a dynamic market environment.”
“Tiger Electronics is carving out a
piece of the youth electronic entertainment market that’s screaming for an
online game system that meets the constantly changing demands and interests of
tweens,” said Duncan Billing, chief marketing officer of Hasbro, Inc.
“Currently, the explosive casual game market is largely catering to an older
demographic with a heavy emphasis on women. We believe there is a sizeable
untapped audience of 6- to 11-year-old boys and girls who want cool online
entertainment with vast choices that don’t require large amounts of time or a
substantial monetary investment.”
How NET JET Works
The NET JET system includes two main
components: 1) a kid-tested controller that plugs into a personal computer’s USB
port and 2) a game key that slides into the controller and activates content.
Each key launches one “Feature” game and gives players the ability to add three
additional “Choice” games. The more immersive Feature games have been
exclusively developed or licensed for NET JET and boast high quality graphics
and robust gameplay while the Choice games are light Flash-based experiences in
a full screen. Upon plugging in the NET JET controller, players will be
validated by Tiger Electronics servers then launched into NetJetGames.com where
they will be prompted to browse and select their Choice games based on
individual interest. Upon adding their Choice games to the game key, it’s off to
the races, mountains or battle grounds.
Content, Content, Content
NET JET will allow players to choose
from a broad mix of games across multiple genres that include original Hasbro
properties as well as exclusively licensed versions of popular games from other
online destinations. At launch there will be 10 Feature titles, including:
Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends: Buggin’ Out and The Grim Adventures of
Billy and Mandy: Freaky Freezeday, both from Cartoon Network, as well as SUPER
SOAKER Water Fight, MISSION: PAINTBALL, Marble Blast XP, Bubble Bonanza, Kool
Kart Racing, and Peak Performance Snowboarding.
Lighter fare will be found in more
than 30 Choice games with favorites such as Free Kick Football, Darts, MiniGolf,
Penguin Power, Treasure Hunt, Skeet Shoot, StakeOut, Ben 10: Ben to the Rescue
and Volleyball. Tiger Electronics will release new NET JET content on an ongoing
basis allowing players to keep adding fun to their personal game library.
Safe, Protected Online Playground
Based on the young audience that NET
JET serves, Tiger Electronics designed a closed system that does not allow games
to function outside of the system, and games cannot be accessed without the use
of a NET JET controller. These protective measures are transparent to players
and the fun factor reigns supreme. In addition, unlike more conventional online
casual game sites, NET JET has no banner or pop-up advertising so kids are free
to enjoy the games without interruption and parents need not worry about what
marketing messages are being served up to kids.
“Online safety is a resounding
concern with parents,” said Hasbro’s Billing. “NET JET takes these issues off
the table without sacrificing the fun factor for kids.”
Pricing and System Requirements
The NET JET controller will be
priced for an approximate retail price of $24.99 and will include a demo key
that features 15 minutes of play for each of the 10 Feature games. Full Feature
game keys will carry an approximate retail price of $14.99 with the ability to
add another three Choice games to each key upon launching the NET JET system.
Both the controller and game keys are purchased at retail.
NET JET is supported by personal
computers that have a USB port and run Windows 2000 or Windows 2000/XP. Minimum
spec required is a processing speed of 1.45Ghz, 128 MB memory and Video: 3-D
accelerated with 64 MB video RAM. The recommended spec is a processing speed of
2.4Ghz, 512 MB memory, and Video: 3-D accelerated with 128 MB video RAM. A
broadband Internet connection is required.
