ROLAND-GARROS FRENCH OPEN ENTERS EMPIRE OF SPORTS

ROLAND-GARROS FRENCH OPEN
ENTERS EMPIRE OF SPORTS
In Empire of Sports, everyone has a chance
of winning ‘Roland-Garros: The Virtual Tournament’!
Tuesday, 26 th May 2009, Paris/… Empire of Sports, the first online world entirely dedicated to
sport, is proud to have an agreement in place with the French Tennis Federation to promote the
Roland-Garros French Open, for the first time in a 3D and virtual world. This agreement with the
world-famous Roland-Garros strengthens Empire of Sports’ position as a global reference point
for interactive sports entertainment new media.
In a first of its kind, “Roland-Garros: The Virtual Tournament” is the official online 3D version of
this famous Grand Slam tournament and is now open for anyone to play in the virtual world of
Empire of Sports. Very soon, the French Tennis Federation will also be taking up residency in
Empire of Sports and will feature a club house modeled with the Roland-Garros colours.
Michel Grach, Media Executive Director of the French Tennis Federation, said: “Roland-Garros
is also a place meant to totally support and welcome the new technologies, and that’s the
reason why Empire of Sports has seduced us. Its ease of access, the high tactical qualities of its
tennis game, as well as the outstanding enthusiasm of its community make our presence in
Empire of Sports an opportunity to build and to dialogue with a community in line with the
expectations of younger generations.”
Alexis Galley, CEO of Empire of Sports, said: “With Roland-Garros, Empire of Sports attaches
its name to arguably one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. By trusting us to
organize Roland-Garros events in Empire of Sports, the French Tennis Federation allows us to
offer our members a unique occasion to live one step closer their passion for tennis.”
To register to Empire of Sports and have a chance to enter “Roland-Garros: The Virtual
Tournament”: https://www.empireofsports.com/en/index.html
To learn more about the virtual tournament rules and prizes:
https://www.empireofsports.com/community/en/events/premium-events/rg09/index.html
To learn about the French Open: http://www.rolandgarros.com
Ends.

About “Roland-Garros: The Virtual Tournament”
“Roland-Garros: The Virtual Tournament" is accessible until Thursday, 4th June 2009, to anybody in possession of a
PC connected to the internet. After the newcomers have downloaded the game and created their avatar, everybody
starts with a qualification phase. Then they can access the final stages of the competition, or even maybe the grand
final on Saturday, 6th June 2009!
Empire of Sports is currently in the Prologue phase: this phase allows the game to expand progressively, with the
help and feedback of its vast community of online players.
If you are interested in entering “Roland-Garros: The Virtual Tournament” and would like to take part, all you need to
do is download the game client from www.empireofsports.com, register and start playing!
About Empire of Sports
Empire of Sports is a new kind of massively multiplayer games. It combines the depth of role-play and the competitive
dynamics of sports games in an innovative and very ambitious (including technically) persistent world, where players
can meet in real time from all over the world and play sports together. Currently in its “Prologue” phase, Empire of
Sports offers unrestricted access to its featured six sports: tennis, football, skiing, bobsleigh, basketball, and track &
field. During this Prologue phase, players are encouraged to provide feedback to the development team to help fine
tune the gameplay and business model. Premium accounts are already available for players willing to get extra
services in Empire of Sports, like boosts for their avatars’ performances, access to special events, extra avatar
slots… The Premium accounts are available from as low as €2,22 per month through the account management
section on www.empireofsports.com.
Empire of Sports is produced and operated by the joint venture founded by Infront Sports & Media and F4. F4 is
developing the platform leveraging the expertise of its team in online gaming and the creation of persistent virtual
worlds, while Infront Sports & Media is contributing its long-term relationships with top sports federations, clubs and
athletes to the endeavour. Empire of Sports has open its Prologue phase in Europe while Giant, the first Chinese
massively multiplayer games operator, is about to starts its closed beta in China.
About F4
Founded in 2002 by a pair of mathematicians, keen on gaming, mangas and philosophy, F4 is an independent
company based on the Champs Elysées, Paris. Specializing in the conception, development and the operation of
virtual worlds, F4 is strongly connected to 3D computer games. In contrast to other games, persistent worlds are
hugely advantageous as they permit ongoing real-time dialogue within the players’ community. F4 is committed to
take this a step further and continuously evolve the functionalities, gameplay and business model of its games. F4
are continuously looking to maintain and exceed player expectations. Empire of Sports relies on F4’s high technical
standards to achieve results other than that seen in many typical MMO genres, and a unique graphical identity, both
rich and endearing.
Further information is available from:
Sarah.hartland@bhpr.co.uk
Anna.larke@bhpr.co.uk
01462 456780