MFORMA'S World Poker Tour(TM) Texas Hold 'Em Mobile Game Now Launching in Europe

"World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em Is an Absolute Winner," Says IGN

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on July 25, 2005

LONDON - 07/25/2005: MFORMA Group, Inc., the leading global publisher and distributor of mobile entertainment, has brought the excitement of WORLD POKER TOUR^TM (WPT) into the wireless arena by creating a mobile version of the high-stakes, high-energy brand of exciting poker revolutionized by the WORLD POKER TOUR television series, which in just under three years has become one of the most lucrative ventures in sports and is the highest-rated TV series in the history of the Travel Channel.

World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em, the mobile game, is already live in the U.S. and is now launching on the major European wireless networks. The mobile game incorporates elements of the WPT TV show and the action develops just as it does on the TV show, complete with a text-based announcer giving the nicknames of your hands. MFORMA are launching both single player and real time six-person multiplayer versions of the game in Europe so that fans can play alone for practice or join in with other players whenever they want to.

According to IGN, leading internet gaming and entertainment destination, World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em "really has the goods" and is a "knockout." Rated 9 out of 10, World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em is arguably the best mobile poker game available anywhere today.

"The poker phenomenon is carrying right over to mobile and we have worked closely with WPT to create the best mobile poker game ever," said Dan Kranzler, MFORMA CEO. "In just a short time, we have several virtual millionaires with many more gunning to beat their chip totals. The number of users wanting to play in tournaments is beyond all expectations and we've had record numbers of simultaneous multiplayer users. Unique among mobile games, World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em not only takes advantage of the current popularity of poker, but also the thirst users have for competition, interaction, and winning."

The multi player game allows users to play free poker with up to five other players in real time. The superior graphics make for the sharpest details -- crisp card faces and lush green table felt. The unique side-to-side camera panning action shows the largest game play space ever seen in a mobile poker game. Every mobile user has the ability to interact with the WPT through promotions, tournaments and prizes, furthering the fun and excitement.

"MFORMA has captured the look and style of our show, delivering a high fidelity re-enactment that is unmistakably World Poker Tour," said Andrea Green, Director of Global Consumer Products of WPT Enterprises, Inc. "It is wonderful to see how true it is to the look and feel of the show and how powerful the connection is to mobile users. Our fans can now play poker anytime, anywhere and engage others in the action! This is real Texas Hold 'Em, where anyone can learn and play. It is the perfect game for the mobile phone that can now truly go all-in."

About WPT Enterprises, Inc.

WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WPTE) is a media and entertainment company engaged in the creation of branded entertainment through the development, production and marketing of televised programming based on poker and other gaming themes. To date, operations have principally revolved around the creation of the WORLD POKER TOUR brand through the production and licensing of a reality television series exhibited on the Travel Channel that is based on a circuit of previously established high-stakes poker tournaments that has been affiliated under the "WORLD POKER TOUR" brand. WPT Enterprises, Inc. is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: LACO).Photos and media information can be found online at: www.worldpokertour.com.

About MFORMA Group, Inc.

MFORMA is a leading global publisher and distributor of mobile entertainment. MFORMA provides wireless operators and their customers with the world's best content and brands, and provides developers and brand owners with the shortest route to market. MFORMA's customers include more than 100 of the world's leading wireless carriers. In addition to the industry's most comprehensive catalog of BREW, Java, SMS, MMS, and WAP games, MFORMA also provides sports, lifestyle, and information services subscription products. MFORMA's carrier-grade platform manages the delivery of downloadable games and applications for some of the world's largest carriers. With MFORMA, wireless operators can choose to utilize any or all of the MFORMA resources -- tools, platforms and/or content. MFORMA is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, USA with facilities in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego; London and Manchester, England; Shanghai and Beijing, China; and Seoul, Korea. [www.mforma.com]