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World Cyber Games Announces Aladdin Resort in Las Vegas as Host Venue for USA Championship Final

America's top gamers will compete in Las Vegas for largest prize purse in WCG USA history

Winners form Team USA and advance to the 2006 WCG Grand Final in Monza, Italy to defend America's title as overall champions

LAS VEGAS, July 31, 2006 -The World Cyber Games today announced that the Aladdin Hotel, soon to be Planet Hollywood by Sheraton in Las Vegas, Nevada, will host the 2006 WCG USA Championship Final September 15-17, 2006. More than 175 of America's top PC and videogame players are scheduled to meet and compete for the largest prize purse in WCG USA tournament history-over $75,000-and the chance to represent their country as members of Team USA at the WCG Grand Final in Monza, Italy.

With multiple jumbo screens blasting all the e-Sports action and gaming commentators known as "shoutcasters," providing live play-by-play, WCG USA Championship audiences will be immersed in the fierce video game competition, rooting for their favorite players and games. Celebrity appearances, music and entertainment, interactive booths from sponsors like Microsoft, Samsung, Shuttle and others will add to the Las Vegas spectacle, ensuring that the entertainment level is set to "maximum." Additional program details are available and others will unfold at http://us.worldcybergames.com, so fans are encouraged to check back frequently as the event nears.

"Las Vegas and the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Resort represent the ideal high-energy city and venue for an e-Sports tournament of this caliber," said Michael Arzt, general manager and senior vice-president for ICM USA, organizers of the World Cyber Games USA Championships. "e-Sports fans will be treated to an optimum blend of entertainment and serious competitive video gaming, with America's best gamers going to Italy to defend Team USA's title as overall world champions of the WCG."

WCG USA Championship doors open at noon each day and admission is free, with a limited number of Special VIP ticket reservations available now via email for the first 300 fans that send their complete names, addresses and phone numbers to wcgfirst300@gmail.com. Fans on this Special "First 300" VIP list will bypass any lines at the door and receive immediate entry to the event each day as well as other onsite benefits.

All attendees in Las Vegas are also encouraged to participate in several promotional Xbox 360 game contests for cash or prizes. Fans will also be eligible for onsite giveaways including Xbox 360 consoles, Shuttle gaming PCs, Samsung Electronics products, video game software and more.

The National Final event at the Aladdin is the culmination of the 2006 WCG USA Championship program, with thousands of gamers of all skill levels competing in both online and offline tournaments over a four-month period. Winners from the regional qualifiers represent the best video game talent in the country and receive a travel allowance, food and accommodations during their trip to Las Vegas.

The WCG USA competition is already underway, with two more regional qualifiers scheduled over the next several weeks. The public is invited to attend and witness the intensity of America's most prestigious gaming tournament at any of the upcoming WCG USA regional events, including:

Pacific Regional

CG Centre

Irvine, California

August 5-6, 2006

Northeast Regional

Samsung Experience @ Time Warner Center

New York, New York

August 12-13, 2006

The roster of official games for the WCG 2006 season consist of six PC games and two console games including: StarCraft®: Brood WarTM (PC); Warcraft®: Frozen Throne (PC); Half-Life®: Counter-Strike 1.6 (PC); Warhammer® 40,000: Winter Assault (PC); FIFA Soccer 06 TM (PC); Need for Speed TM: Most Wanted (PC); Dead or Alive® 4 (Xbox 360) and Project Gotham Racing® 3 (Xbox 360). Promotional Xbox 360 games at the WCG USA Championship include Halo 2, MLB 2K6 and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved.

Organizers expect up to 700 of the world's best gamers will travel to Monza, Italy, in October, 2006, to participate in the Grand Final of the most prestigious e-Sports competition and enjoy a well-rounded festival designed to promote culture and social harmony among world gamers.

Announced sponsors for the 2006 WCG USA program include Samsung Electronics, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Games for Windows, Shuttle, The Aladdin Resort and Dust-Off.

About World Cyber Games

The World Cyber Games ( www.worldcybergames.com) is the world's blue-chip global game tournament and cultural festival, founded to promote international harmony through e-Sports competition. Under the slogan "Beyond the Game," WCG leads the digital entertainment culture by bringing gamers across the globe together to form friendships and compete in the planet's largest e-Sports festival, with the world's largest following. More than 1.25 million gamers participated in 2005, with more than US$2.5 million awarded in total. Over 55,000 spectators attended the five day 2005 Grand Final in Singapore with millions more watching via TV broadcasts and online. WCG pioneered e-Sports TV broadcast coverage in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

About Aladdin/Planet Hollywood

The Aladdin Resort & Casino, the future home of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, is a joint venture partnership involving Robert Earl, founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood International, Inc., Bay Harbour Management LC and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. The property will continue to operate as the Aladdin Resort & Casino during the renovation process which is scheduled for completion in early 2007. Upon completion of renovations the property will be re-branded and renamed the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, a Sheraton hotel. For more information, visit www.aladdincasino.com.

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