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New Game Marks Start of Online Poker-Style Boom
LONDON, August 30 /PRNewswire/ -- - With Photo London-based games publisher, Kwari, today announced and released details of its new multiplayer online gaming service, which will potentially change the PC gaming landscape forever by applying the principles that catapulted poker virtually overnight into a multi-billion dollar industry. The catalyst for online gambling's success was the introduction of playing for money. Applying this to a game of skill, in Kwari's case, a first-person shooter (FPS) similar to games like Quake(R) and Unreal Tournament(R), completely changes the way the player approaches and plays such a game - without the potential financial risks sometimes associated with gambling. Retail business for PC games has been in decline for the past few years, but this has been countered by a growth in the MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) gaming market, where players download games and pay a monthly subscription. This traditionally works for adventure games, but shooting games require a different model. Uniquely, Kwari only charges for ammunition to play the free-to-download game, which allows players to 'snack' on the action rather than dedicating hours and hours to get the most from a monthly subscription. Kwari's game of the same name has been built from the ground up around the concept of money changing hands at a tremendously fast rate, and was developed using some of the most advanced technology available to ensure total financial infallibility fused with benchmark playability. Being a game of skill, how much money a player can win depends partially on their in-game performance. So to ensure a level playing field, all games are skill-matched so that only players of equal ability are able to compete. "Money changes everything," said Eddie Gill, founder and creator of Kwari. "I wanted to create something that had more of a buzz than a traditional shooting game. The concept of playing for money is not a new one. However, these games tend to be an existing multiplayer game with a cash prize tagged on the end, much like clan tournaments, which means only a minority walk away with cash winnings - and usually a small amount at that." Gamers playing Kwari for cash set up an account, are matched on the basis of skill, and enter a game at a pre agreed stake level ranging from 1c to $1 a hit. During the four-round matches (3x 16-player map, 1x 64-player last man standing map called 'The Killing Floor') every time a player hits another, money is decremented from the target's stake and added to the shooter's. In a way, the player's money stake mirrors their in-game health, except it's exchanged from one player to another. There are also jackpot prizes which require keys to unlock. These jackpots are fed by self-inflicted damage sustained by the players in all games being played globally. For example, if a player jumps from the top of an arena or takes damage from a hazard, their stake is decremented and this feeds into the jackpots, which are then released hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly - the latter are expected to pay out millions of dollars. Most importantly; all money paid in to the game by players is won out of the game by players. "This is an inevitable evolution for online gaming," commented Al King, Global Marketing Director for Kwari. "Like most skill-based or competitive games, once played at a professional level or where money is involved, it's unappealing to return to an amateur status." The game will be available for download towards the end of the year. Until then, the company has opened a sign-up website for the beta test program starting next week at http://www.kwari.com. About Kwari: Established in 2006, Kwari is a publisher and developer of skill-based online interactive entertainment, based around players making money off each other in real-time. Kwari software is available free to download and play online. Kwari is an international business, comprising functional experts and industry veterans. 'Kwari' and 'Cash for Kills' are trademarks and/or registered of Kwari Limited in the UK and other territories. The game and software are patent pending. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved. More information about Kwari is available online at http://www.kwari.com Except for historical matters contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Kwari Ltd. and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. In light of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements, these statements should not be regarded as a representation by Kwari Ltd. or any other person that the projected results, objectives or plans will be achieved. Kwari Ltd. undertakes no obligation to revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Note to Editors: LONDON, August 30 /PRNewswire/ -- A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.






