Strategic Acquisition Expands Digital Leadership of Top Gaming
Retailer
GRAPEVINE, Texas, Jul 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), the world's largest video game and
entertainment software retailer, today announced it has entered into an
agreement to acquire Kongregate Inc., a leading social gaming
destination and community for core gamers representing the fast-growing
free-to-play gaming market. Currently the site hosts 10 million monthly
players who spend approximately 23 million hours per month on the site.
Kongregate will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GameStop Corp.
and maintain its current offices in San Francisco, Calif.
The transaction is expected to close on or about Aug. 1, 2010, subject
to customary closing conditions, with the company remaining under the
leadership of its co-founders, Jim and Emily Greer.
Kongregate's unique digital platform allows consumers to discover great
free-to-play games that can be enjoyed via Internet-connected devices.
Acquiring Kongregate strengthens GameStop's digital platform and its
commitment to become the gaming aggregator of choice.
J. Paul Raines, Chief Executive Officer of GameStop, said, "Kongregate
advances GameStop's digital strategy by providing a gaming platform for
casual, mobile and browser games that can be promoted and played by our
existing gamers. We welcome the Kongregate team to the GameStop family."
GameStop President Tony Bartel added, "Combining Kongregate's expansive
catalogue of games with our well known consumer brand, powerful
marketing and strong customer relationships, means that even more gamers
will be able to enjoy their games anytime, anywhere and on any device."
Kongregate co-founder Jim Greer expressed his excitement regarding the
acquisition and offered that, "To date, our company's unique DNA has
given more than 8,500 game developers the tools to make their games
social, reach a huge audience and make money from over 30,000 innovative
games. This includes access to virtual currency and robust community
features such as leaderboards, player achievements, profiles,
multiplayer, dedicated game forums, and a site-wide leveling system. Our
community will only be enhanced with GameStop's close relationship with
millions of passionate gamers."
Since launching its website in 2007, Kongregate.com has proven extremely
popular with gamers who have embraced its more complex and robust Flash
and web-based content, such as strategy, MMO, adventure, RPG and mobile
games. Likewise, developers have found Kongregate's revenue-sharing
business plan attractive compared to the cost of developing their own
turn-key platforms, with feature sets that provide a more full gaming
experience.
About GameStop Corp.
Headquartered in Grapevine, TX, GameStop Corp., a Fortune 500 and S&P
500 company, is the world's largest video game and entertainment
software retailer. The company operates 6,486 retail stores in 17
countries worldwide. The company also operates an e-commerce site,
GameStop.com, and publishes Game Informer(R) magazine, a leading
multi-platform video game publication. GameStop Corp. sells new and used
video game software, hardware and accessories for video game systems
from Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. In addition, the company sells PC
entertainment software, related accessories and other merchandise.
General information on GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company's
corporate website: http://www.gamestopcorp.com.
About Kongregate
Kongregate is a leading browser based game site with over 10 million
monthly unique visitors who spend more than 23 million hours playing per
month. The site features a unique community and social platform
including achievements, profiles, chat, messaging, forums, and levels,
which unifies over 30,000 games into a cohesive and addicting
experience. Kongregate shares revenue from advertising and virtual goods
directly with over 8,500 developers who have uploaded games to the site.
Advertisers include brands like Electronic Arts, Sony Pictures, Sprint,
Frito Lay, Axe, Xbox 360, Nokia, and Toyota. While all games on
Kongregate are free, the site also features a virtual currency called
kreds, which can be used to unlock additional features in some games.
Based in San Francisco, CA, the company was founded in 2007 by
brother-and-sister team Jim Greer, a game industry veteran, and Emily
Greer, an interactive marketing executive. The company is funded by
Greylock Partners, Bezos Expeditions and a group of angel investors led
by Reid Hoffman.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements may include, but are not limited to, the outlook for fiscal
2010, future financial and operating results, the company's plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are
not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs
and expectations of GameStop's management and are subject to significant
risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth
in the forward-looking statements. GameStop undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The following
factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those
set forth in the forward-looking statements: the risk that the proposed
transaction may not be consummated or the timing to consummate it may
change; GameStop's ability to effectively integrate the merged business
and to achieve the value creation contemplated by the proposed
transaction; the inability to obtain sufficient quantities of product to
meet consumer demand, including console hardware; the timing of release
of video game titles for next generation consoles; the risks associated
with expanded international operations;the impact of increased
competition and changing technology, including alternative methods of
distribution, in the video game industry; and economic and other events
that could reduce or impact consumer demand. Additional factors that
could cause GameStop's results to differ materially from those described
in the forward-looking statements can be found in GameStop's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 filed
with the SEC and available at the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov
or http://investor.gamestop.com.

SOURCE: GameStop Corp.
Chris Olivera
Vice President
Corporate Communications
and Public Affairs
GameStop Corp.
(817) 722-7253
or
Matt Hodges
Director
Investor Relations
GameStop Corp.
(817) 424-2126