Topic: World Series of Poker to Debut in Las Vegas

[Karl Castaneda #2]

Activision will show off the new game at this year's Lifestyle Show.

Activision Unveils World Series of Poker(R) Video Game at 2005 World Series of Poker(R) Lifestyle Show; Game to Feature Realistic Experience of the World Series of Poker Tournament    

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 7, 2005--Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI) will unveil a sneak preview of the highly anticipated World Series of Poker video game based on the widely popular World Series of Poker (WSOP) Tournament at this year's Lifestyle Show in Las Vegas on July 6 - 10.    

Activision will develop and publish the World Series of Poker video game for PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Xbox(R), Nintendo GameCube(TM) and PC featuring the likenesses of poker professionals participating in the 2005 WSOP Tournament. The game will offer players a truly unique experience unlike any other poker video game on the market today. The video game is expected to be available at retail stores nationwide later this summer.    

"The World Series of Poker is the world's premier poker event, drawing thousands of entrants and millions of viewers worldwide," said David Oxford of Activision, Inc. "So it's a perfect fit to preview this exciting video game to participants of the WSOP Tournament where it will deliver to consumers the same excitement and authenticity of pulling up a chair at the WSOP table and competing against players of this year's WSOP Tournament."    

For the first time ever, the 2005 WSOP Tournament will be held at Harrah's Rio Suites in Las Vegas, the same location simulated in the video game and the location of this year's Lifestyle Show. ESPN has aired the WSOP seven times since introducing the sport to the network in 1994, and garnered a 1.2 overall rating with an average of more than one million viewing households during their 2004 presentation of poker's premier event. The "World Series of Poker" video game will be featured in television spots on ESPN during the tournament.