(5 November 2007 1:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Games2win has entered into a collaboration with Japan-based video gaming company Sega Corporation as their exclusive online distributor in India for CT Racer – one of the world's largest online multi-player car racing games.

CT racer is an MMOG game (massive multi player online game) that has been developed by Sega and Hyundai Digital Entertainment of Korea (Hyundai Digital) and published and distributed globally by the two companies.

The game is already operational in Korea and China and makes its debut in India through Games2win.

The CT Racer game players have the option to choose to drive in either Seoul or Shanghai and race on streets, tracks and outdoor terrains.

The game allows user to customize every element of their experience – starting from the cars they choose to race, the various car parts (engines, tires,) and embellishments (stickers, spoilers, wheel caps) that they can load on to their cars.

The game allows gamers to create ‘tournament rooms’ and challenge their fellow gamer or host or participate in other tournaments, special races and events. The game also allows game players to create ‘guilds’ or groups, where the guilds can compete with each other (example – Delhi vs. Mumbai).

Commercially, the game's revenue model is a paradigm shift in the way online games generate revenue. Rather than charging a monthly subscription fee, the game is free to play and the only charges are 'micro costs’, when the consumers want to buy new cars, additional car parts and decorative items. Hence, there is complete flexibility for consumers to buy what they like and pay for it.

These payments will be possible by using commonly available cash cards at cyber cafes and ISP accounts. Games2win is also introducing its own ‘game cards’ that will be available in easy denominations of Rs 50 and Rs 100 and these cards will be made available in cybercafés and youth hangouts.

Says Games2win founder and CEO Alok Kejriwal, "The CT Racer game is an amazing product for the Indian market, where online gaming is in its nascent stages. The adoption challenge of this category is pretty high, since the game takes just a few minutes to learn and is based on the universal theme of racing, making it appealing for people of any age and sex."

Sega corporation MD Hideki Okamura says, "We are very happy to announce our partnership with Games2Win.com and introduce CTRacer to our fans in India. We wish CTRacer will bring new digital entertainment experience and growth to the Indian market, and we are happy to take part in this opportunity."

The distribution for the game has already started and is available to play in over 100 cyber cafes in India. Games2win has further entered into a strategic partnership with Sify for release of the game in all their 225 ‘Game Dromes’. The roll out plan is to reach out to over 1000 cyber cafes in India within the next 6 months. Consumers can also access CT Racer by logging on to the official website www.ctracer.in

The game operates well in Indian broadband conditions and is well suited for the Indian market. Also, certain elements of the game such as car stickers, decals have been 'Indianized' specifically for Indian consumers.