Time-Warner’s Turner Broadcasting System Inc. is launching its GameTap Ent. division with a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of Ubisoft’s highly anticipated Myst V: End of Ages. The production will be packaged with the limited edition disk of the game as a bonus DVD, and a version will stream over the GameTap broadband game-on-demand service.
Michael Watchulonis, exec producer for GameTap Ent., comments “Gamers are like the toughest film fanatics. They want more than a technical look at the making of a game. They want to see the compelling story behind its creators, the challenges and triumphs of the creative process. We at Turner have learned a lot over the years by producing signature original programming for CNN and Cartoon Network and are excited to apply these skills to the gaming industry."
GameTap Ent. is also producing an exclusive mix of magazine, reality and lifestyle shows featuring interviews with leading game makers, celebrity features and game trailers for the subscription-based GameTap streaming video service. Registered users will be able to watch these video segments while they are downloading games from Turner’s vast library of acquired titles.
GameTap will offer Myst V: End of Ages for download before the title hits shelves. Coupons packaged with of the game will offer discounts on subscriptions to GameTap, which will present a shorter, broadband version of the making-of documentary to coincide with the game’s retail release.
“We’re striving for the day when GameTap is as important a promotional partner to game publishers as TBS and TNT today are to movie studios,” says Dan Riess, GameTap’s head of marketing. “The partnership with Ubisoft on Myst V: End of Ages is a first step and we hope to announce similar partnerships with other publishers in the near future.”
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