iGames and GameTunes Rock Out with Inaugural Game Center Listening Party, Featuring Evans Blue

Chart-Topping Canadian Rockers and Hollywood Records Recording Artists First to Sign Up for Exclusive, New Bi-Monthly Music Series Uniting Popular Music and Video Games

Space Is Limited – Only 15 Artist Slots Per Campaign Available

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, February 6, 2006 — iGames, the world's leading game center organization, and GameTunes, a new marketing firm devoted to reaching gamers through music, today announced a new bi-monthly listening party series, which kicks off with rockers Evans Blue, whose debut album The Melody and The Energetic Nature of Volume has just been released on Hollywood Records and whose first single "Cold (But I'm Still Here)" has hit both the Top 20 Rock and Top 30 Alternative charts.

Running from April 7 to May 4, the inaugural month-long promotion, with Evans Blue in the first of only 15 slots available per campaign, will be held at 100 top game centers across North America and will allow gamers to weigh in on the music and participate in contests to receive complimentary copies of the CD, in addition to stickers, postcards and other limited-edition Evans Blue merchandise. At the end of the promotion, all feedback will be collected into special "wrap-books," for presentation to the artists and their management.

Known for initiating and co-organizing more than 200 events a year for today's best games like Battlefield 2, Call of Duty 2, Counter-Strike: Source, and The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II, iGames views its expansion into music with Evans Blue and GameTunes as a natural evolution.

"Video game culture is youth culture – and so is music," said Mark Nielsen, Executive Director of iGames. "With our unique network of more than 500 game centers, we offer a direct link to a viral community of young people who are equally passionate about music and interactive entertainment."

"The music industry is always looking for creative new ways to get the music heard," said Bernard Ross, President of GameTunes. With the increasing integration of music and video games, we know that Evans Blue will reach an entirely new set of fans, who might not have had a chance to check them out otherwise."

"Today's artists realize that technology is an essential part of the equation," said Jay Scavo, Executive Director of Marketing, Hollywood Records. "Whether it's building a fan base online, having their music included in the latest and greatest game, or engaging in the innovative outreach that a program like GameTunes offers, artists like Evans Blue understand that technology is the key to unlocking the marketplace."

Evans Blue is Kevin Matisyn – Vocals; Parker Lauzon – Guitar; Vlad Tanaskovic – Guitar; Darryl Brown – Drums; Joe Pitter – Bass. A collection of ten original songs interwoven with an intoxicating interpretation of fellow Canadian Sarah McLachlan's "Possession," their debut album The Melody and The Energetic Nature of Volume tells a twisted tale of love, passion, betrayal, denial, loss, hatred and pain, ultimately ending on a note of hope. Compelling lyrics lead the listener on a journey, resonating with anyone who has experienced these universal emotions. For more information on the band, including free downloads and a complete list of upcoming shows, visit: www.evansblue.com.

For a complete list of iGames game centers hosting the competition as well as details on other upcoming iGames events, including signup information, visit www.igames.org or contact iGames' Programs Dept. at kim@igames.org.