May 20, 2009
News for New York Anime Festival 2009:
World Cyber Games USA National Final to be held at New York Anime Festival
Over 200 of America's Best Gamers to Compete for Spots on WCG's TEAM USANorwalk, CT, May 20, 2009: The World Cyber Games (WCG), the recognized leader for global video game competitions, and The New York Anime Festival (NYAF), an anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture convention from the creators of New York Comic Con, today announced a partnership that will welcome America's very best gamers to the 2009 New York Anime Festival -- September 25-27 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York, NY.
200 of the best gamers in America will battle it out on nine different gaming titles for one of the coveted thirteen spots on TEAM USA and the chance to take home a share of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. Members of TEAM USA will then travel to Chengdu, China to take on the world's best gamers from 70 other countries at the WCG 2009 Grand Final.
The World Cyber Games is a year-long international gaming tournament widely renowned as the 'Olympics' of the Video Games, and has been certified as the "World's largest video game festival" by the Guinness Book of Records with 1.5 million gamers from 74 countries. The WCG's latest innovation, WCG Ultimate Gamer, is an 8-episode reality TV show that just finished airing on the Sci Fi channel. Winner Mark Smith has earned the grand prize of $100,000, the ultimate Samsung Electronics package, and a contract to represent the WCG at events worldwide.
"We are extremely proud to partner with Reed Exhibitions -- the very best in event entertainment," said Aaron Smolick, Director of Marketing with the WCG. "The WCG is elevating eSports to the next level in North America and proving once again that we are the most significant competitive circuit in the World."
Gaming fans will be able to see several elite competitors live at this year's WCG USA National Final as several returning members of last year's WCG TEAM USA as well as the cast of the Sci Fi Channel's WCG Ultimate Gamer will be gaming all weekend on the industry-leading Samsung high definition TVs, monitors and mobile phones. PC, Console and Mobile games featured in the WCG USA 2009 tournament include:
- Half-Life®: Counter-StrikeTM 1.6 (5 v. 5 Team FPS )
- Starcraft®: Brood WarTM: (1 v. 1 RTS)
- WarCraft® III: The Frozen ThroneTM (1 v. 1 RTS)
- FIFA Soccer 09 (1 v. 1 Sports)
- Carom3D (1 v. 1 Casual)
- Red Stone (4 v. 4 Team MMORPG)
- Gears of War 2® (4 v. 4 Team FPS) US title only
- Guitar Hero® World Tour (1 v. 1 Music)
- Virtua Fighter® 5 (1 v. 1 Fighting)
- Asphalt 3: Street Rules (1 v. 1 Racing)
- WiseStar (1 v. 1 Strategy)
"We are very excited to partner with the World Cyber Games," said Lance Fensterman, Show Manager of the New York Anime Festival. "Our attendees hunger for video games, and the WCG will provide fans with the best of the best. The WCG National Final is a unique event that we are honored to host."
"Samsung has been the worldwide partner of the World Cyber Games since 2000 and is pleased to continue our support of the global competition that brings the passion of gaming to life," said David Steel, senior vice president of strategic marketing for Samsung Electronics America. "The participants and fans of the World Cyber Games are some of the most technologically-savvy individuals around and we want them to experience the best technology Samsung has to offer while competitively gaming."
The New York Anime Festival dates and hours are:
- Friday, September 25 | 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Sunday, September 27 | 10:00 AM - 5:00PM
Registration for the 2009 WCG USA Championship Tournament is still open. US citizens are invited to visit www.wcg.com/usa to register for this year's tournament and to obtain more information about the WCG USA Championship tournament, the WCG Ultimate Gamer and TEAM USA. The WCG global market registrations are locally driven; international players should consult their home country's respective WCG website, which can be reached via links on www.wcg.com.
For more info about attending the New York Anime Festival, including ticket information, please go to www.newyorkanimefestival.com.
ABOUT THE WORLD CYBER GAMES
The World Cyber Games (www.wcg.com) is the premiere global e-Sports tournament and festival, with about 800 players from 78 countries participating at WCG 2008 Grand Final. Founded in 2000 and credited with launching the professional careers of many of the planet's top competitive video game players, the World Cyber Games uses a year-long tournament format, which begins with online, regional and national competitions in each country. National finalists then convene to compete in the ultimate international tournament in e-Sports, The World Cyber Games Grand Final, where each country's best players battle for the largest and most prestigious prizes in competitive gaming. The WCG 2009 Grand Final will be held in Chengdu, China.
ABOUT THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL:
The New York Anime Festival takes place September 25-27, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan and is organized by Reed Exhibitions, the creators of New York Comic Con. The New York Anime Festival showcases the best of anime pop culture, including the latest anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music, and games, and anime-influenced comics, animation, and films from around the world. The festival features exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, sessions with the some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia, and America, and explores the Japanese cultural experience with displays of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese life. Further information can be found at newyorkanimefestival.com.
ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS:
The New York Anime Festival is operated by Reed Exhibitions, the world's leading events organizer. In 2007, Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today, Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and organized by 39 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In 2006, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £1,052 million on turnover of £5,398 million.
ABOUT SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA, INC.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The company markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung's North American operations including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, the Samsung organization is one of the most decorated brands in the electronics industry. The company was ranked #6 in the Electronics Industry segment in Fortune Magazine's "Most Admired Companies 2008," and named as one of Fast Company's "Fast 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2008." Among popular BusinessWeek rankings, the company ranked #26 in the publication's "Most Innovative Companies of 2008" and #21 in the "100 Best Global Brands" for 2007. Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. is also a top patent holder, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2007. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.
