Planetwide Games Joins Forces with First Data to Launch Authentication Product for the Video Game Industry
The "GameFREQ™" Security Card uses DataSIGN™ Solutions to protect video game players and enhance transactions.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB via PR Web
Direct) May 19, 2005 -- Planetwide Games, a leading video game publisher and
distributor, today announced that it has joined forces with First Data Corp.
(NYSE: FDC), a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, to
launch a new product called "GameFREQ," that will enable an enhanced level of
online protection and new services that range from protecting a video game
user's login identity to securing financial transactions when playing
subscription video games. GameFREQ can also be personalized and used by game
players to control access to select material and online content.
Planetwide Games' GameFREQ uses DataSIGN authentication products, a
First Data innovation, to deliver new and enhanced secure services and features
for the video game industry. GameFREQ offers strong protection against phishing,
identity theft, and other fraud attacks through the use of DataSIGN digital
signatures. Unlike other security products, GameFREQ authentication cards don't
expire, can be used with multiple games, applications or websites, and are
simpler to work with and less costly than traditional public key technology
(PKI) that use digital certificates and smartcards.
"As a worldwide
publisher and distributor of video games, Planetwide Games is dedicated to
protecting our customers and bringing new levels of services and security into
the video gaming world," said Kevin Donovan, President of Planetwide Games. "Our
$1,000,000 RYL: 'Path of the Emperor' Tournament has required Planetwide Games
to highten our security requirements and the DataSIGN products have enabled us
to do just that. With GameFREQ, we are providing publishers the ability to
securely and privately conduct transactions with game users on community
websites, inside virtual worlds and communities, and at participating retailers.
It's the package of First Data and the powerful DataSIGN products that allows
Planetwide Games’ GameFREQ product to deliver these capabilities to the video
game marketplace."
Leading Video Game industry analyst group DFC
Intelligence estimates that the online game industry in 2003 was $1.9 billion.
By 2006, they predict revenue growing to $5.2 billion with continued steady
growth, with worldwide online game revenue reaching $9.8 billion by 2009. DFC
forecasts that online micropayments will reach $1.8 billion by 2009. It is also
estimated that the market for online transactions of virtual items inside video
games is currently between $200 - $400 million worldwide and will reach $2
billion by 2009.
"Over the past 30 years, video games have become an
integral part of the culture and video gaming has become a multi-billion dollar
industry. With the ever-growing popularity of real-time video games, game
companies are leveraging the potential of massive, shared video game experiences
online," said Gene Kathol, Vice President, Research and Development of First
Data. "There is no question this presents an opportunity for fraud and therefore
the need for strong protection of a user's identity and transactions is clear.
With the introduction of GameFREQ, Planetwide Games is setting the standard for
providing the necessary security the industry requires and we are pleased to be
working with them on such an important initiative."
About Planetwide
Games
Based in Costa Mesa, CA, Planetwide Games (a Bluetorch On-Line Games,
Inc. company) is
a leading publisher and distributor of Video Games and
Interactive Entertainment. Planetwide Games markets and distributes Video Games
including MMORPG's and Interactive Entertainment throughout the world.
Planetwide also develops propriety online technology for the Video Game Industry
and is building a worldwide network of affiliates to distribute video games. For
more information, please visit http://www.RYL.net or http://www.PlanetwideGames.com
About First Data Secure
Signing Platform
The First Data Secure Signing Platform helps businesses
reduce the risk of fraud and security breaches when conducting transactions in
today's electronic world. By enabling companies to easily and cost-effectively
replace passwords and other weak authentication solutions with the digital
equivalent to a handwritten signature, the First Data Secure Signing Platform
offers increased protection against the growing trend of identity theft and
transaction fraud. The First Data Secure Signing Platform, featuring DataSIGN™
products, defends against unauthorized network access and proves both the origin
and integrity of electronic transactions empowering companies to leverage the
profit potential of e-business without putting themselves or their customers at
risk. First Data provides a full range of products and services that complement
the Secure Signing Platform. For more information, please visit www.firstdatasecure.com.
About First Data
First Data
Corp. (NYSE: FDC) is a leading provider of electronic commerce and payment
solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. Serving 4.1 million merchant
locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, First Data powers the
global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses
around the world to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment.
The company's portfolio of services and solutions includes credit, debit,
private-label, smart and stored-value card issuing and merchant transaction
processing services; money transfer services; money orders; fraud protection and
authentication solutions; check guarantee and verification services through
TeleCheck; as well as Internet commerce and mobile solutions. The company's STAR
Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 1.6 million ATM and retail
locations. For more information, visit http://www.firstdata.com/.
Technology Contact:
Ralph Seibert, Planetwide Games 800-560-2993 x 216
e-mail protected from
spam bots
Planetwide Games Media Contact:
Rita Tennyson – Terpin
Communications
310-821-6100 x 104
e-mail protected from spam bots
First Data Media Contact:
Lorraine Kauffman-Hall, First Data Secure
Signing Platform, 704-882-0443, e-mail protected from spam bots
# # #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb242502.htm