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300 Brannan St., Suite 302 |
Gus the talking dog and his friends, the CyberBuds:
Rom,
Rae,
Rant,
Rave
The Collection is comprised of twenty-seven CD-ROMs organized with a focus on Spelling, Math, Reading, Geography, Music, Creativity, Problem Solving, Creative Writing, Memory and Science. Skill building activities, exciting animations, engaging sound effects and delightful music created by singer/songwriter David Maloney all come together in a fun educational environment to create hours of replayable learning and entertainment. "We consistently receive very positive response to our software from children," said Pat Lewis, founder and Director of Development at Modern Media. "By providing our educational activities at prices parents will find very attractive, we hope to reach a larger audience with our software, which builds essential learning skills and self-esteem for children." Gus and the CyberBuds Software SchoolHouse Collection is being packaged and distributed by MicroMedia Publishers, Inc. of Grants Pass, Oregon. MicroMedia is a rapidly growing publisher and distributor of popular value-priced CD-ROM titles. Through MicroMedia, the Collection will be available at neighborhood software stores and mass merchants across the US. in time for the Holidays. "We are excited to have formed this relationship with Modern Media," said Vince Webb, President of MicroMedia. "Consumers will benefit from our delivery of award-winning educational content at attractive prices through the nation's premier software outlets."
Modern Media will launch the Gus and the CyberBuds Software SchoolHouse Collection at the Children's Interactive Expo, held October 3-6, 1996 in San Francisco. The Children's Interactive Expo (CIE) was chosen for this exciting launch because it provides direct access to a target audience of thousands of students, teachers, industry players, parents and their children.
The predecessor and foundation of the Software SchoolHouse Collection, Modern Media Ventures' Gus and the CyberBuds Learning Adventure Series has gained considerable recognition in the past year. Selected titles have earned the following awards: Newsweek Editors' Choice Top 50 Picks Parents' Guide to Software '96; Member's Choice Award for Early Learning from Club KidSoft; Four Stars from Electronic Entertainment and One of the top 100 CD-ROMs on C|Net Central. Modern Media Ventures also hosts an award-winning web site that features downloadable games, activities and other new information at http://www.gustown.com
Founded in 1993, Modern Media Ventures is an award-winning developer and publisher of interactive multimedia software for children. The Company's titles, based on the proprietary Gus and the CyberBuds characters, are distributed in 12 languages in more than 40 countries worldwide. Based on the global appeal of its characters and stories, the Company is actively transitioning its properties into additional media formats.
Developed jointly with Apple Computer, Bandai's Pippin @World contains a CD-ROM player that converts a television into a multimedia entertainment center that plays a wide variety of CD-ROM software, provides access to the Internet, e-mail, word processing and more. "Bandai Digital Entertainment is glad to be working with Modern Media Ventures in bringing their titles to the Pippin platform," said John McGanty, Senior Manager of Software Marketing. "They have a variety of outstanding titles that are well suited for families, the target audience of Pippin @World. In addition to these first two titles for Pippin, we are in discussions about working with Modern Media on other titles, including products for Windows and Mac as well."
Modern Media will showcase its Pippin ready titles on a Pippin @World Player at the Children's Interactive Expo, held October 3-6, 1996 in San Francisco. The Children's Interactive Expo was chosen for this exciting debut because it provides direct access to a target audience of thousands of students, teachers, industry players, children and their parents.
The two titles from Modern Media Ventures' Gus and the CyberBuds Learning Adventure Series have gained considerable recognition in the past year. Selected titles have earned the following distinction: Newsweek Editors' Choice Top 50 Picks Parents' Guide to Software '96; Member's Choice Award for Early Learning from Club KidSoft; Four Stars from Electronic Entertainment and One of the top 100 CD-ROMs on C|Net Central. Modern Media Ventures also hosts an award-winning web site that features downloadable games, activities and other new information at http://www.gustown.com
Founded in October of 1995, Bandai Digital Entertainment is a new media company dedicated to producing a new generation of technology that brings interactive entertainment, educational multimedia content, and a wealth of information on the Internet to the family television. BDE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan.
Founded in 1993, Modern Media Ventures is an award-winning developer and publisher of interactive multimedia software for children. The Company's titles, based on the proprietary Gus and the CyberBuds characters, are distributed in 12 languages in more than 40 countries worldwide. Based on the global appeal of its characters and stories, the Company is actively transitioning its properties into additional media formats.
Innovations is the Electronic Industries Association's prestigious program which honors product excellence within the Design and Engineering Honors Program and Software Showcase. The Design and Engineering Honors Program recognizes excellence in eight broad hardware categories and the Innovations Software Showcase honors outstanding software products in business application, education, electronic gaming, multimedia production and presentation categories.
The selection criteria stresses product innovation, value to users, aesthetics and contributions to the quality of the user's life. Commenting on the award, Pat Lewis, Modern Media Ventures Director of Development said, "We are pleased to have been recognized by Innovations '94 for Gus Goes to CyberTown . We especially endorse the selection criteria. Gus was designed to enhance exploration and encourage learning through a positive multimedia experience."
Gus Goes to CyberTown , is an interactive adventure for the entire family with learning activities for 3-7 year olds. This is the first title in Modern Media's "Gus and the Cyberbud" Learning Adventure Series. This title features the introduction of Gus, the program's four-legged guide, and the elusive CyberBuds, enlightened individuals who reveal interesting bits of factual information throughout the program. Gus Goes to CyberTown contains entertainment, educational and game components that are sure to motivate young users.
Developed by the award-winning design team headed by Pat Lewis, Director of Development, the program features over 100 randomly animated hot-spots, playful sound effects, QuickTime video and new original songs from singer/songwriter David Maloney. Pat Lewis, who has a Master's Degree in Education and over ten years of early education and curriculum development experience, draws on her knowledge and commitment to children to provide another self-directed, entertaining and rewarding environment. "It is our goal with Gus Goes to Cyberopolis to build on our success in engaging young users achieved with our first product in the Learning Adventure Series," stated Pat Lewis. "Providing children with a self-directed, entertaining and content rich experience has proven its value in building critical early learning skills and stimulating intellectual curiosity."
Noted children's singer/songwriter David Maloney, who created the soundtrack for Modern Media's Gus Goes to CyberTown title, returns and again contributes original songs composed to enhance the user's experience in this fun environment. Reviewers of Modern Media's products along with young users have repeatedly praised the musical components of the programs.
Users familiar with Modern Media's first titles will recognize a new look and feel introduced with this product. In addition to our all time favorite 2-D animations, we have begun to work with some 3-D elements which add another dimension to our environments. "Once again we have created a product that nurtures early learning through play and exploration," said Pat Lewis, Director of Development. "With our team of creative animators and programmers combined with the exceptional talent of David Maloney, the Kooky Carnival delivers hours of interactive learning and fun."
In CyberStone Park children meet Ranger Jackie and Ranger Rick who offer information and tips on how to safely enjoy time in the wilderness. Youngsters will also be rewarded with CyberRanger Badges as they learn wilderness tips and how to camp responsibly.
CyberStone Park features 13 environments. Five environments are directly accessible from the Main Campground. These include the Trees, Mountains, Tents, Lake and River. Once inside these environments, there are six additional places to explore: The A-Maze-ing Fantastic Maze Game, The Connect the Stars Math Game, Fishing For Rhymes, Sorting by Habitats, Campfire Stories, and Rush the Rapids Spelling Activity. Plus, if you know the secret password, you can visit the CyberBud Tree House.
CyberStone Park develops essential pre-reading skills in the following areas: sound, letter, and object recognition, rhyming, picture identification and matching, early math and problem solving, categorization and navigation. In addition, as users navigate through the different environments, they are developing their curiosity and reasoning.
According to Pat Lewis, Director of Development, "From my teaching experience, I believe that kids are eager and willing to make a difference in the world in which they live. In CyberStone Park we want to offer kids tips on how they can safely enjoy, protect and be active participants in the great outdoors."
Modern Media Ventures Gus and the CyberBuds Learning Adventure Series has gained considerable recognition in the past year: Selected as Newsweek Editors' Choice Top 50 Picks for Newsweek Parents' Guide to Software '96, Member's Choice Award for Early Learning from Club KidSoft, four stars from Electronic Entertainment and rated one of the top 100 CD-ROMs on C/Net Central.
Gus Goes To CyberTown, Gus Goes to Cyberopolis and Gus Goes to the Kooky Carnival are Modern Media Ventures' selected titles. Gus Goes to CyberTown won the Club KidSoft Kids' Choice Award for the Early Learning category in 1994. Since that time Modern Media Ventures and KidSoft have enjoyed a close relationship in the children's software arena.
"We see our connection with KidSoft as a major breakthrough for us in reaching the masses. This is also an excellent opportunity to have Gus and our CyberBud characters and their positive message presented in a quality, cost-effective way to children and their families," says Bob Lewis, president of Modern Media Ventures.
"As the source for prescreened, quality software for kids, we are pleased to be able to bring fine multimedia products such as Gus and the CyberBuds to computer savvy kids and their parents," said Dan'l Lewin, executive vice president of KidSoft. "Presenting such quality software at prices today's families can afford makes KidSoft Select a winner for both software developers and end users." he continued.
Based in Cupertino, CA, KidSoft is the publisher of Club Kidsoft magazine, CD and online, as well as KidSoft Select - a line of value-priced, premium-quality CD-ROM software for kids. Debuting this fall, KidSoft Select will be presented by Good Housekeeping and available at major retail stores for $12.99 suggested street price. KidSoft is privately held.
Modern Media Ventures, Inc., located in San Francisco, CA, is a full-service publisher of new media products for the global marketplace. The company has published five award-winning titles in its Learning Adventure Series and counts BMG and NEC along with KidSoft among its integral distribution partners.
"We have seen a rapid growth in interest from third parties who desire to associate their products and services with our popular "Gus and the CyberBuds" characters and software," said Bob Lewis, President of Modern Media Ventures, Inc. "We formed Modern Media Licensing Group to leverage the value of two of our Company's asset classes, our proprietary characters and software modules, " continued Mr. Lewis. "Gus and the CyberBuds have an established fan base of over 2 million kids worldwide who are endeared to these fun, friendly, wholesome and positive animated cartoon role models."
The Licensing Group also announced a new software bundle featuring exclusively five Modern Media Ventures "Gus and the CyberBuds" software CD-ROMs. The bundle has been commissioned by a major distributor and will be available to the retail channel beginning in August. "The fact that the distributor sought us out and desired to bundle our titles exclusively, rather than collecting "hit" titles from several companies as they usually do, indicates the growing popularity of our characters, quality of our titles and strength of our "Gus and the CyberBuds" brand. There certainly are enough other titles out there looking for distribution, " commented Bob Lewis.
In addition to the toy license and software bundle, Modern Media Licensing Group is in discussions for the license of "Gus and the CyberBuds" characters and software to a variety of companies, including for the branding of an on-line children's network in Asia, for the merchandising and promotion of children's food products, and for certain children's consumer products.
The agreement with the toy company will place a new "Gus and the CyberBuds™" branded toy art studio/activity kit exclusively at Toy's R Us stores beginning in August, 1996. "The Big Time Fun Art Studio" will provide hours of creative fun and includes a coloring book and supplies along with Modern Media Ventures' "Big Time Fun Disc" CD-ROM.
The "Big Time Fun Disc" allows for hard copy printing of different coloring book pages and also includes 10 original CyberTunes. This music provides an entertaining accompaniment for creating individual artworks and because of the Disc's Red Book Audio format, the music may also be enjoyed by playing the CD in any standard audio CD player.
"This agreement, along with the others we are negotiating, represents our first foray into traditional children's markets as we expand the use of our proprietary assets beyond our base in the interactive multimedia and on-line businesses," said Bruce Goedde, Chairman of Modern Media. "The rapidly growing global markets for children's products and services provide an excellent opportunity for Modern Media. With products in 12 languages selling in more than 40 countries, we anticipate increasing demand for non-violent, wholesome, entertaining and enriching products such as those that we create at Modern Media Ventures, Inc."
Modern Media Licensing Group will be co-managed by Bruce Goedde and Bob Lewis, two of the three founders of Modern Media Ventures, Inc. Modern Media Ventures is a three year old developer of proprietary intellectual property. The Company has published six award-winning interactive multimedia CD-ROM titles and launched it World Wide Web Site at gustown.com in early 1996.
Gus Goes to Cyberopolis from the Learning Adventure Series with Gus and the CyberBuds will be part of the initial programming for CablePC, an innovative cable channel that will provide a wide-range of multimedia and other forms of digital content on a, pay-per-use price. This is the first title to be adopted from Modern Media's Learning Adventure Series.
Modern Media Ventures is one of many software publishers taking part in the introduction of CablePC, which will debut initially on the Cable Communication Cooperative of Palo Alto, Inc. (Cable-Coop). CablePC offers subscribers up to 10 gigabytes per day -- the equivalent of 12 CD-ROMS -- of a wide range of multimedia programming, including leading multimedia-based education, entertainment, interactive games and news and information services. All of the content will be sold on a pay-per-use or rent-to-own basis, made possible by Wave Systems Corp's metering technology and distribution system.
"Our titles, which are extremely popular among our customers, will have distribution exposure to an entirely new and much broader audience," said Robert Lewis, President of Modern Media Ventures, which has been producing award-winning children's software since 1993. "For a company our size, Cable PC gives us the capability to not only reach potential new consumers of our products, but allows us to continuously provide them updates that enhances the creativity of software. Lewis concludes, "by taking part in WIN's CablePC, we will be able to offer consumers the ability to access a title whenever they want, all on a pay-per-use basis."
Steven Sprague, President of WIN says, "The titles from Modern Media are a perfect application of the new software distribution paradigms that WIN offers to both consumers and publishers on CablePC. The ability to purchase software components on an incremental basis -- whether it be pay-per-use, episode, content upgrade or rent-to-own -- creates an entirely new way to sell and purchase software."
