PlayFirst Announces $30,000 in Grants to Independent Game Developers

Leading Publisher Kicks-off Second Annual Developer Dash Program to Inspire
Innovation in Casual Games

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- PlayFirst, the leading publisher
focused exclusively on casual games, today announced that it has granted
$30,000 in awards to independent developers who submitted games to the 2007
Developer Dash funding program. Recipients range from incorporated companies
to individual developers across the globe. The winners are Kef Sensei
(Uruguay), SortaSoft (USA), Mini IT (Russia), Beatshapers (Ukraine), Sergey
Batishchev (Russia) and Rafal Kozik (Poland).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051004/SFTU029LOGO)
"Historically, expansion in video game adoption has largely been driven by
innovations in game design," said John Welch, CEO and president of PlayFirst
who is keynoting the Casual Games Summit at GDC on Monday, Feb. 18. "As a
leader in casual games, we consider it our privilege and responsibility to
encourage creativity among the development community. Fostering creativity
benefits everyone because innovative hits lift the profile and appeal of the
entire category."
Launched at the 2007 Game Developers Conference (GDC), Developer Dash is
PlayFirst's funding initiative to inspire creativity and innovation in the
casual games industry. As part of the program, PlayFirst has ear-marked
$100,000 per year in funds to recognize game developers for delivering
creative and innovative games.
As a result of the 2007 Developer Dash, PlayFirst also completed a new
publishing contract with Kef Sensei based on the company's outstanding
submission to the program.
"We received dozens of Developer Dash entries in 2007, which is fantastic
given that this was the first year Playground SDK was freely available," said
Craig Bocks, director of publishing, PlayFirst. "Many of those submissions
were grant worthy and we're extremely pleased to announce that one in
particular, from Kef Sensei, led us to sign a publishing deal with the
developer."
"Winning a Developer Dash award is exciting and the publishing deal is
like a dream come true for a startup game studio like ours," said Eli Barnett,
CEO, Kef Sensei. "PlayFirst is really stepping up in their search for new,
talented developers that challenge existing genres and game dynamics to take
the casual industry to an entirely new level. The Developer Dash program
provides a great incentive for small and talented developers who have great
ideas, but are in need of funding."
Developers: Earn Cash with Developer Dash
While the casual games industry continues to grow at an explosive rate,
many independent developers face a myriad of challenges getting their games
noticed and into the marketplace. In response to these challenges, PlayFirst
launched the inaugural Developer Dash in 2007, an annual developer funding
program that will grant up to $100,000 in cash again in 2008 to encourage and
support independent developers in creating new and innovative games.
To be eligible, developers must simply download PlayFirst's popular casual
game development framework, Playground SDK(TM), and submit a game prototype
that meets the following criteria:
-- Built in Playground SDK*
-- Commercially viable casual game (i.e., no offensive themes, gratuitous
violence)
-- Submitted to PlayFirst in 2008

Whether a game submission is selected to receive a grant or not, there are
no binding terms in the program, meaning the developer retains all publishing
and distribution rights to their game, unless a deal is specifically struck
with PlayFirst.
"We chose the Playground SDK over three other tools for its proven
commercial success, track record and for its ease of use, and we are extremely
satisfied with our decision," continued Barnett. "If you know coding, even a
small amount, the Playground game engine beats every other framework out there
for casual games."
The next target date to submit your game for review is March 31, 2008.
Future dates are June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2008.
Meet with PlayFirst at GDC!
PlayFirst producers want to meet with talented developers at the Game
Developers Conference, February 18-22 in San Francisco. To schedule a meeting
please contact PlayFirst at devdash@playfirst.com. For business development
opportunities, please contact business@playfirst.com. John Welch's keynote
address will be held in Room 2014 in the West Hall at Moscone Center on
Monday, February 18 at 12 p.m.
For more information about Playground SDK or to submit your game to the
Developer Dash program, please visit https://developer.playfirst.com.
About PlayFirst, Inc.
PlayFirst is the leading publisher focused exclusively on casual games.
Committed to building shared casual game experiences around lasting original
brands, PlayFirst games are rich in gameplay, story and character. PlayFirst
works with talented internal and external developers to bring mass market
games to multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, mobile, handheld and console.
The company's portfolio includes the world-renowned Diner Dash(R) franchise,
as well as top-selling games such as Wedding Dash(TM), Chocolatier(R), and
Dream Chronicles(TM). Founded in 2004, PlayFirst is funded by Mayfield Fund,
Trinity Ventures, Rustic Canyon Partners and DCM. For more information visit
http://www.playfirst.com and http://www.dinerdash.com.
PlayFirst, Playground SDK, Diner Dash, Wedding Dash, Chocolatier, Dream
Chronicles, and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of
PlayFirst, Inc. PlayFirst, Diner Dash, and Chocolatier are registered in the
U.S.
* Playground SDK is subject to license agreement which contains
restrictions on use; use outside of the United States is subject to compliance
with applicable export control laws.
Developer Dash: PlayFirst may modify or cancel the program at its sole
discretion at any time. PlayFirst is not obligated to award any of the
$100,000; amount awarded depends on number and quality of prototypes
submitted. Details and requirements at https://developer.playfirst.com.
SOURCE PlayFirst, Inc.

Kirem Marnett of PlayFirst, Inc., +1-415-874-2665, kirem@playfirst.com;
Caitlin Davis of Three-Forty Communications, +1-650-793-3374,
caitlin@three-forty.com, for PlayFirst, Inc.