New Mind Medley Casual Game Tests Memory and Measures 'Illumination'

New Mind Medley Casual Game Tests Memory and Measures 'Illumination'

Brain-bending puzzles and in-game character 'Watts' were designed to entertain and challenge everyone from kids to grandparents

SEATTLE, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Digital entertainment services company RealNetworks(R), Inc. (NASDAQ:RNWK) today announced the availability of Mind Medley, a collection of casual mini-games for the PC designed to challenge memory and attentiveness. More amusing and fun than traditionally academic, the whole family will enjoy this unique approach to exercising their minds.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070912/AQW084)

"The Mind Medley collection is a perfect example of why the casual gaming industry is surging," said Chris Byrne, contributing editor to Toy Wishes magazine, a.k.a. 'The Toy Guy(R)'. "Not only do the games tap into the competitive spirit by tracking the progress and rankings of users, they also have a huge educational component that truly helps players improve concentration and focus."

Created by RealNetworks' GameHouse studio, Mind Medley is a collection of 16 brain games with familiar play patterns like Concentration, Simon and Color Matching (Stroop Test). Casual gamers can "get brighter" by improving their "lumens" while playing a series of 60 second games. As their lumens increase, gamers achieve new rankings, receive brain-building facts and tips, and are rewarded with access to new, unlocked games.

"Mind Medley is a set of stimulating games aimed at testing players' memories, concentration and response times" said Erik Goossens, vice president of game content, RealNetworks. "We know that our customers are looking for more than just enjoyable games -- they also want to improve their mental capacities. So, we developed a game that aims to do just that."

According to the Society for Neuroscience, people who exercise their brains can boost long term memory. One such exercise for boosting long term memory is to play a dedicated computer game like Mind Medley. Similarly, the Bronx Aging Study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that people who partake in mentally stimulating activities such as interactive games or dancing four times a week had a 65 to 75 percent increased probability of remaining sharp than those who did not participate in the same activities.

Mind Medley is currently available for download at http://www.realarcade.com/ or http://www.gamehouse.com/.

About RealNetworks

RealNetworks, Inc. is providing ways for consumers to be entertained on any screen (PC, home entertainment system, portable device or mobile phone) anywhere. Its digital entertainment services include RealPlayer, the acclaimed Rhapsody(R) music service, one of the largest Casual Games destinations RealArcade(R), and a variety of mobile entertainment services offered to consumers by leading wireless carriers around the world. RealNetworks' corporate information is located at http://www.realnetworks.com/company.

RealNetworks, GameHouse, RealArcade, Rhapsody, RealPlayer and the Real logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, names of actual companies and products mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: meggers@real.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070912/AQW084
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: RealNetworks, Inc.

CONTACT: Carol Rogalski of RealNetworks, +1-206-892-6780,
crogalski@real.com; or Audrey Craipain of SHIFT Communications for
RealNetworks, +1-415-591-8427, acraipain@shiftcomm.com

Web site: http://www.realnetworks.com/
http://www.realarcade.com/
http://www.gamehouse.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment