3DsoundSurge Press Release: Game Audio Network Guild -- G.A.N.G. -- Launches At GDC 2002

Game Audio Network Guild -- G.A.N.G. -- Launches At GDC 2002

World's Only Organization of Top Audio Professionals in Gaming Promotes Education, Awareness and Community

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2002--The Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), the first organization focusing on the advancement of interactive audio and the community surrounding it, will make its debut during the 2002 Game Developers Conference in San Jose. Hosting a panel of top audio professionals, G.A.N.G. will officially launch on Thursday, March 21st at 9:00 a.m. in room F1 at the San Jose Convention Center. Due to the overwhelming initial industry response, G.A.N.G. will also hold an informal gathering on Saturday, March 23rd at 3:30 p.m. in the Crystal Room at the Fairmont Hotel.

Established by leading audio professionals in the video game industry, G.A.N.G. is a non-profit organization established to raise awareness of interactive audio by providing information, instruction, resources, guidance and enlightenment not only to its members, but to content providers and listeners throughout the world. G.A.N.G.'s mission is to empower its members by providing resources for education, business, technical issues, community, publicity and recognition. One of the main focuses and goals of G.A.N.G. is to encourage and promote excellence in interactive audio, which in turn will advance the interactive industries by helping produce more competitive and entertaining products. G.A.N.G. also supports career development and education for aspiring game audio professionals, publishers, developers and students.

G.A.N.G will offer a reduced ``show special'' for anyone who joins G.A.N.G during GDC. In addition to receiving an official G.A.N.G. kazoo, t-shirt and CD holder, new members will enter a drawing to win a $1000 professional studio microphone donated courtesy of Soundelux DMG (www.soundelux.com).

``G.A.N.G. isn't just about audio people. This is an organization that will educate the gaming industry about the importance of audio in interactive entertainment and how to create a superior sound experience,'' said Tommy Tallarico, President of Tommy Tallarico Studios, Inc. and Founder/President of G.A.N.G. ``It's time that game audio is recognized and respected as more than just `bleeps' and `bloops.'''

Promoting recognition and contribution to audio quality in the interactive industry, G.A.N.G. is also establishing a variety of programs including annual G.A.N.G. Awards, the G.A.N.G. Seal of Approval, and various membership levels. Currently in development by world-class Web site developers Blitz Digital Studios (www.blitzds.com), the G.A.N.G. Web site will be a communications hub for members and the interactive industry at large.

``The membership benefits that G.A.N.G. offers are unsurpassed by any organization I have ever known,'' said Clint Bajakian, President of the Sound Department and Vice-President of G.A.N.G. ``By banding together and providing one voice, members will be able to better articulate, discuss and confront issues inside the interactive entertainment community.''

G.A.N.G. is currently enlisting new corporate sponsors. Dolby Laboratories' Director of Computer & Games Technology Marketing and G.A.N.G. Secretary/Treasurer Dennis Staats says: ``Dolby and G.A.N.G. have very similar goals for the video games industry. We both have made strong efforts to improve the quality of game audio by supporting the games creation community. As the Charter Diamond Sponsor, Dolby has made a significant commitment to enable G.A.N.G. to be successful in its endeavors.''

Other Diamond-level sponsors include well-known and respected audio companies such as DTS (Digital Theater Systems). ``As audio technology advances, the possibility for a more compelling game experience grows significantly,'' said Jon Kirchner, President and CEO of DTS and member of the G.A.N.G. Board of Directors. ``An organization like G.A.N.G. is critical to educating professionals in the community and to sharing experiences as we discover new ways to bring games to life through sound.''

About G.A.N.G.

The Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) is a non-profit organization founded by leading audio professionals in the game industry in February 2002. Focusing on the advancement of interactive audio and the community surrounding it, G.A.N.G. is the first network whose goal is to promote excellence and education for gaming sound. G.A.N.G. is a resource for composers, sound designers, programmers, musicians, actors, engineers, producers, designers, directors and others who have a genuine interest in interactive audio. For further information, please visit www.audiogang.org (beginning March 21, 2002.)

Contact:

     Game Audio Network Guild
     Tommy Tallarico, 714/504-7100
     tommy@audiogang.org
      or
     Linn Public Relations
     Katie McQuade, 415/552-1183
     katie@linnpr.com