BOLD NEW ANIMATION AND VISUAL GAME VIEWER DELIVERS GRAPHICAL REPLAYS OF GAMES

(New York, March 25, 2009) – In a first-of-its-kind initiative, two iconic names in sports, Sports Illustrated Kids and Strat-O-Matic, are joining forces to produce 12 fantasy sports games designed specifically for kids aged 8 – 15 which will live exclusively on SIKIDS.com. Fantasy baseball will be the first game introduced as part of this exclusive deal on March 24, 2009.

 

This marks the first time Strat-O-Matic is producing web-based games specifically targeted at kids.  These salary-cap based fantasy games will only be available on SIKIDS.com and free to all users.

 

Sports including baseball, football, basketball and hockey, each with three unique sport specific games, are among the fantasy line-up that will be rolled out over the course of 2009 and 2010.  After the fantasy baseball launch additional games in the baseball category coming this fall include a baseball legends game and an avatar mascot game.  Based on 2010 population estimates from the U.S. Census, over 1.8 million boys and 600,000 girls aged 8 – 15 participate in fantasy sports leagues. 

 

“We are excited to work with Strat-O-Matic to develop one-of-a-kind games for our readers,” said SI Kids Managing Editor Bob Der.  “Kids will love the graphics and animation.  SIKIDS.com will be the destination for kids to play fantasy sports on the web.”

Specifically for this series of games, Strat-O-Matic will introduce a visual game viewer that provides players with a dynamic, animated way to view each fantasy team.  Animated highlights from the previous day’s game will be available for each player in the league. By simply clicking the name of the player, kids will view a ten to 30 second animated highlight video.  The simulated viewer will enhance their experience and provide a new animated way to view their players. 

 

”Strat-O-Matic is thrilled to be in business with SI Kids.  We look forward to introducing their audience to a whole new level of fantasy/simulation experience and realism of play that is the hallmark of the Strat-O-Matic brand.  Seeing the combination of these two icons is the continuation of multigenerational play that has been Strat-O-Matic’s trademark for years.  With the SI Kids relationship, Strat-O-Matic is pushing the boundaries of fantasy into simulation and simulation into fantasy.  We know kids will love the results from both an enjoyment and educational standpoint,” said Hal Richman, creator and President of Strat-O-Matic. 

At its core, Strat-O-Matic is a research institute culling, organizing and interpreting statistical data about sports that spans many decades.  The company altered the way fans think about simulation games and has been at the forefront of sports board games since 1961.  Along with the producing top selling sports board games, Strat-O-Matic is the leading producer of text based sports computer games.  Parents and children have been playing Strat-O-Matic games for almost five decades and through the partnership with SI Kids, Strat-O-Matic will introduce a new set of computer savvy sports fanatics to the historic brand.  Strat-O-Matic has engaged The Illusion Factory as its development partner for all of its games with Sports Illustrated Kids.

 

Users can play the games by registering on SIKIDS.com, the flagship website for Sports Illustrated Kids magazine.  Sports Illustrated Kids, celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year, connects readers with their passion for sports both in the magazine and online.  The fantasy games produced through the partnership will have a kid friendly interface with the look and feel of SIKIDS.com. 

 

About Sports Illustrated Kids:

Sports Illustrated Kids, the first sports magazine written for kids ages 8 and up, connects with its readers through their passion for sports.  The magazine offers kids the access to athletes and sports information that they want with in-depth reporting, action photography, first-person athlete accounts and other features.  The magazine, books and website SIKIDS.com, promote positive values, good sportsmanship and the fun of reading.

 

About Strat-O-Matic:

Founded in 1961, Strat-O-Matic produces the top selling sports board games and is the leading producer of text based sports computer games.  The Company is focused on the baseball, football, college football, basketball and hockey arenas. Parents and children have been playing Strat-O-Matic board, computer and Internet based games for almost five decades.   “The next best thing to being there,” the Strat-O-Matic brand and its games are known for statistical accuracy and realism of play.