LADYDRAGON.COM - ULTIMATE GAMERS EXPO TO HOST U.S. FINALS OF SAMSUNG WORLD CYBER GAMES

Monday June 02, 2003

ULTIMATE GAMERS EXPO TO HOST U.S. FINALS OF SAMSUNG WORLD CYBER GAMES

The Greatest Gamers from Across the Nation to Compete in Los Angeles for Chance to Represent Team USA in the World Finals

The United Cyber Games Association (UCGA) today announced that the U.S. Finals of the Samsung World Cyber Games (WCG) will be held in Los Angeles at the first-ever Ultimate Gamers Expo (UGE), August 15-17. The Samsung WCG 2003 U.S. Finals will be held amidst the excitement and fanfare of the Expo, in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. The competition will mark the dramatic completion of the four-month U.S. phase of Samsung's WCG 2003, the world's largest e-sports competition with more than 55 countries and an estimated 300,000 gamers around the globe participating.

The Samsung WCG U.S. competition, also sponsored by CompUSA and NVIDIA, consists of a series of 300 qualifying and semifinal rounds held at 20 locations across the country from May through July. The U.S. competition will culminate with the national final at UGE in August; winners there will advance to the Samsung WCG 2003 Grand Final in Seoul, Korea October 12-18 to compete for a share of $350,000 in prizes. The UGE is the first-ever videogame and gaming lifestyle Expo specifically aimed at the public. Over 100,000 attendees are expected to enjoy the three-day festival of games, sports, and entertainment that will comprise the inaugural UGE.

"The Ultimate Gamers Expo is a perfect fit for the Samsung WCG's 2003 theme of taking the competition 'Beyond the Game,'" said Joe Moss, Executive Director of UCGA. "The UGE will be filled not only with games, but a great variety of events and entertainment related to the gaming lifestyle."

"We're thrilled to have the Samsung WCG U.S. Finals at UGE," said Wayne Pepper, Co-Founder of UGE. "The UGE is the perfect place to showcase the world's largest e-sports competition and let the fans see the best American gamers in action."

Twenty finalists from each of the Samsung WCG 2003 official games will compete over the three-day event, with key matches played on stage and public viewing areas set up throughout the tournament area. A closing award ceremony on Sunday will reveal the 17 members of Team USA - the country's best gamers - who will go on to represent the U.S. at the WCG 2003 Grand Final in Korea. The official games are: Age of Mythology, FIFA Soccer 2003, Half-Life: Counter-Strike, Star Craft: Brood War, Unreal Tournament 2003, and Warcraft III on the PC platform; as well as Halo on the Xbox.

About Ultimate Gamers Expo

At its launch in Los Angeles, UGE will host a game design workshop that provides an opportunity for aspiring young designers to be taught by the best in the business. In addition, a "Mobile Gaming Pavilion" will draw attention to the newest downloadable games for cellular phones and other devices. In order to create a complete festival atmosphere, the company will provide live entertainment - including extreme sports demonstrations, martial arts combatants and musical talent, celebrities and athletes. For more information, please visit www.ugexpo.com

About United Cyber Games Association

The United Cyber Games Association (UCGA), headquartered in Los Angeles, California, is the U.S. organizer of the Samsung World Cyber Games (WCG). At the intersection of video games, sports, and entertainment, UCGA is dedicated to the development of e-sports as a leading new entertainment category for the 21st century. Please visit www.wcgusa.org

About the World Cyber Games

In its third year of competition, the World Cyber Games, created and organized worldwide by International Cyber Marketing Co., Ltd. (ICM) is the world's leader in videogame competitions. From October 12-18, 2003, the World Cyber Games 2003 Grand Final will host more than 600 competitors from 55 countries in a competition of the world's best gamers and a weeklong cultural festival at the Olympic Park in Seoul, Korea. Please visit www.worldcybergames.org

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced digital consumer electronics and information systems products. The SEA organization oversees the North American operations of Samsung Telecommunications USA, Samsung Electronics Canada and Samsung Electronics Mexico. Please visit www.samsungusa.com