DISNEY EXPANDS TOONTOWN ONLINE
Gardening Offers New Fun and Game Play for Players of All Ages
London - 19 September 2006 - The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) today announced the introduction of Gardening, an exciting expansion of Disney's (NYSE: DIS) Toontown Online, the critically acclaimed massively multiplayer online (MMO) game for kids and families. Gardening introduces new game play that allows players to grow and care for flowers and trees and to customise their own Toon estates. Gardening appeals to all players both young and old.
Since the game's launch in 2004, tens of thousands of people have passed through the virtual gates of Toontown, exploring an amazing world full of hilarious adventures, challenging quests and classic Disney magic. In Toontown, everyone gets to create their very own cartoon character, and interact and unite with other players online in a quest to defeat the Cogs, evil humourless robots intent on turning Toontown into a boring corporate metropolis. Toons must use cartoon-style gags such as squirting flowers and falling anvils to make the Cogs laugh and banish them from Toontown.
All Toons have their own homes on a shared estate. It's a place for Toons to relax and unwind, playing fun games or looking after their virtual pet Doodle. Toons can also change their outfits and decorate their house with furnishings in many unique styles. The Gardening update allows Toons to grow and nurture various types of flowers and trees and even place statues in their Estate grounds. Toons can use new tools such as shovels and watering cans, as well as time, to allow the Toon garden to grow. Green-fingered Toons who truly care for their gardens can even earn jellybeans, trophies and Laff Point boosts.
"Toontown appeals to a broad spectrum of gamers," commented Myles MacBean, vice president, technology and operations, the Walt Disney Internet Group Europe. "Being both fun and safe for children to play it also appeals to adults thanks to its intuitive game play, bright and colourful storyline and the social aspects of interacting with other players."
Disney's Toontown Online is the first MMO game for kids and families. Anyone can try Toontown free for three days at www.disney.co.uk/toontown. Three subscription options are available (monthly, six-monthly and annually) and subscribers receive a welcome pack and a quarterly magazine*.
Gardening is the most recent expansion for Disney's Toontown Online following the introduction of the popular Lawbot HQ in April 2006. Unlike most MMO games, players of Toontown are not charged for expansions as they are included in the standard subscription fee. More information about Gardening is available at www.disney.co.uk/toontown/.
UK and European residents onlyAbout Walt Disney Internet Group Europe
Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) provides strategic leadership, business execution support and a world-class technology platform for all The Walt Disney Company's Internet properties, including 14 country-specific Disney websites across Europe, reaching five million unique visitors each month. WDIG is a market leader in developing and distributing entertainment and informational content to new platforms. The company creates and delivers products for broadband distribution including Disney Connection and Toontown Online, the world's first massive multi-player online game for kids and families. Through relationships with some of Europe's largest mobile operators, WDIG distributes content and services to wireless users under the Disney brand.
Press contact
Sandra van Vreedendaal
Tel: +44 208 222 2023
Email: sandra.van.vreedendaal@disney.com
Visuals are available on request.