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Multiverse to Build Firefly MMOG Game

The Multiverse Network Inc., which builds the world's leading network of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) and 3D virtual worlds, optioned the rights from Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising to develop a MMOG based on FIREFLY, the sci-fi television series created by Joss Whedon, that premiered in 2002, then became a movie and now will be reborn as a game to be available to the public through The Multiverse Network in 2008.

"Fox's Firefly series is set in an incredibly rich and exciting universe," said Corey Bridges, Multiverse co-founder/exec producer. "It's going to make a very compelling and unique online experience filled with adventure, humor and mystery. It's our hope that FIREFLY'S passionate and dedicated community of fans will enjoy the chance to become part of the story as they develop and explore the worlds of Firefly."

Fox Licensing & Merchandising selected Multiverse to evolve FIREFLY into an MMOG because of the technical strength and advantages of the Multiverse Platform and the vision both companies share for the future of online entertainment.

"One of the first meetings I had when I joined Fox was with Multiverse," said Adam Kline, vp of New Media Enterprises at 20th Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising Division. "We see virtual worlds as an extraordinarily promising new entertainment medium. This is a great opportunity for 20th Century Fox and for the fans of FIREFLY, because Multiverse will deliver an experience that will remain true to the original series, while enabling a whole new level of personal involvement for fans."

Bill Turpin, co-founder/ceo of The Multiverse Network, believes that the FIREFLY MMOG will create significant opportunities for other developers building games and worlds with Multiverse tools and technology.

"In addition to our world-class technology, developers choose Multiverse for our network, which lets them launch their games into a built-in market of consumers who are just one click away from any game on that network," Turpin said. "FIREFLY will bring in even more consumers, making the network that much more attractive to developers of other worlds."

Since its launch a year ago, more than 7000 customers -- ranging from garage developers to Fortune 100 companies to Hollywood legends -- have registered to use the company's platform technology. In addition, more then 100 pre-qualified customers have already begun building MMOGs and non-game virtual worlds with the Multiverse Platform, currently in open beta testing.

The Multiverse Network (www.multiverse.net) is creating a network of online video games and other 3D virtual worlds. Its unique technology platform will change the economics of virtual world development by empowering independent game developers to create high-quality, MMOGs and non-game virtual worlds for less money and in less time than ever before. Multiverse solves the prohibitive challenge of game creation by providing developers with a comprehensive, pre-coded client-server infrastructure and tools, a wide range of free content -- including a complete game for modification -- and a built-in market of consumers. The Multiverse Network will give videogame players a single program -- the Multiverse Client -- that lets them play all of the MMOGs and visit all of the non-game virtual worlds built on the Multiverse platform.

Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Co., as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.