****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****

W3i’s Recharge Studios Fuels Launch For Game Developers

Minneapolis, Minn. March 29, 2011- W3i, a leading distribution and monetization network for app developers, announces its mobile social game investment subsidiary, Recharge Studios, completes a successful inaugural first quarter investing in twelve mobile social game titles.

Three months after launch, Recharge Studios has a dozen titles either in production or released including Dolphin Play and Daybreak Heroes, both titles already achieved top 25 overall rankings in the U.S. App Store^SM. Dolphin Play has been downloaded more than 1 million times.

At GDC in March, SkyVu Pictures announced a partnership with Recharge Studios on its next title: BATTLE BEARS ROYALE. SkyVu Pictures recently passed more than 10 million downloads including 8 million for the wildly successful BATTLE BEARS franchise.

“Recharge Studios’ mobile gaming knowledge coupled with W3i’s distribution and monetization expertise provides the one-two punch SkyVu Pictures needs to accelerate growth of the BATTLE BEARS brand,” says Benjamin Vu, Co-Founder and President of SkyVu Picures. “We’re excited to grow with a market leader.”

The developers of Z2Live’s Trade Nations and EA’s NBA Jam, Bight Games, recently joined the growing list of developers, IP owners and brands teaming up with W3i and Recharge Studios.

Riptide Games also partnered with Recharge Studios. Riptide’s titles have over 2.5 Million downloads to date, including their hit series of iLookApps.

Brian Robbins, Founder of Riptide Games, says “Working with the team at Recharge Studios/W3i is a no brainer. We’re very excited to work with a team that has the track record and marketing power they do.”

The list of developers to team up with Recharge Studios during its first few months also includes InEarth, Game9, and Jenkat Media as well as Hive Media, the makers of the Deadliest Catch game.

Recharge Studios provides a means for independent developers, IP owners and brands to bring their mobile games to life with more than a decade of mobile gaming experience.

Two mobile game industry veterans, Matt Tubergen and Jimmy Van Guilder, lead Recharge Studio’s game design consulting with years of experience working at companies such as THQ Wireless on mobile game projects. The two work with indie developers as well as large brands like NFL, Disney and LucasArts.

Additionally, Recharge Studios leverages W3i’s application distribution and monetization expertise optimized on more than 500 million downloads and powered by W3i’s proprietary InstallIQ install technology.

“As the first app distributor to help fund and accelerate mobile social games development, we’re proud to have already helped several titles get off the ground.” says Andy Johnson W3i/Recharge Studios CEO. “Our global network of partners continues to expand; and we’re glad to be in a position to continue offering investment opportunities. With 36 consecutive quarters of profitability, W3i continues to reinvest in its network and partners worldwide.”

Developers seeking funding for development or distribution should contact Recharge Studios.

About Recharge Studios: Recharge Studios collaborates with indie developers, IP owners and publishers to bring great social games to life on iOS. As an investment fund, capitalized by W3i, RechargeStudios assists its partners in developing and marketing their games while giving partners full ownership of the IP.

About W3i: W3i increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for consumer applications. W3i’s solutions use InstallIQ technology for recommending PC and mobile applications that users value.  InstallIQ was optimized on more than 500 million app installs–including more than 120 million in 2010. W3i is an experienced team of app-savvy marketers with deep technical know-how and many years of industry experience. To learn more, visit www.W3i.com.

Press Contact:

Ryan Ruud

Marketing Communications

Office: 320-257-7618

Mobile: 612-799-0803

ryan.ruud@W3i.com

###

Some, like developer Recharge Studios have called upon Apple to publicize its refund policy and process in the App Store and have begun running a warning in App Store descriptions noting that in-app purchases require real money. Other developers like Capcom have also run similar warnings in their apps. The question is, will Apple need to formalize these warnings to ensure it’s informing parents and users about the real-world consequences of in-app payments?

Others have also wondered why in-app purchases feature bundles as high at $99 for virtual goods. Recharge Studios has dropped the highest price of its goods in Dolphin Play and is exploring time-based limits on purchases. Apple might consider similar rules to limit the potential for big purchases by children.

Read more at CNN Money.

St. Cloud, Minn., February 17, 2011- Concerned over inadvertent in-app purchases, especially by children, Recharge Studios, the maker of Dolphin Play, speaks up, suggesting changes to prevent the errors.

Recharge Studios outlines steps it plans to take attempting to immediately prevent future incidences.

Additionally, in a letter, Recharge Studios urged Apple to consider changes to in-app purchase timing.

“Our primary concern at Recharge Studios is maintaining a high level of consumer transparency. Ensuring the consumer understands the in-app purchase process and refund process is absolutely necessary to help avert confusion,” says Andrew Johnson, CEO.

Recharge Studios’ parent company, W3i, is stepping up discussion pertaining to consumer privacy and advocacy concerns. W3i Vice President and General Counsel Hayden Creque recently joined the Mobile Marketing Association’s (MMA) Privacy and Advocacy Committee.

The public statement is as follows:

PUBLIC STATEMENT

Recharge Studios is an investment fund that exists to back the marketing and development of free applications “apps” for the iOS platform.  To date, we have made available one app, Dolphin Play, in the App Store.

We have received a limited number of user complaints, and are aware that our game was recently mentioned in a Washington Post article critical of Apple’s in application purchase process (“in-app purchase”).  Our game is free to play and does not require a purchase.  Indeed, in-app purchases need only be used by customers who want to accelerate play.  Regardless, we are very concerned about the possibility of inadvertent or accidental purchases, especially by children.

In response we have proactively taken the following steps:

1.      We have made a formal request to Apple, by letter, for changes to the in-app purchase process to include changing its systems to require a password for each and every in application purchase.

2.      We also recommended to Apple that it make more prominent on its website and in the App Store its refund policy and process.  In the meantime, we have provided detailed instructions available on our website and in the application’s frequently asked questions on obtaining a refund:  WWW.RECHARGESTUDIOS.COM/APPLERETURNPROCESS.

3.      We have also determined that it would be prudent to include the following disclosure  in our App Store description and in our application’s terms of service:

NOTICE:  ALTHOUGH THIS APPLICATION “APP”, IS FREE TO DOWNLOAD AND PLAY, EXTRA CREDITS AVAILABLE FOR GAME PLAY MAY REQUIRE YOU TO MAKE A MONEY PAYMENT TO US.  PAYMENTS ARE HANDLED BY APPLE AND ARE CHARGED TO YOUR ITUNES ACCOUNT.  IF YOU MADE AN INADVERTENT PURCHASE INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING A REFUND FROM APPLE CAN BE FOUND HERE WWW.RECHARGESTUDIOS.COM/APPLERETURNPROCESS.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT US AT SUPPORT@RECHARGESTUDIOS.COM.

4.      We have lowered the in game purchase price points.  And in our future games we are attempting to include time based purchase limits if practical.

We believe that the foregoing steps should ultimately, and in some cases immediately reduce customer confusion.  Regardless, we are committed to continue to listen to, and where appropriate to act on customer feedback.

A final note that we believe that device owners have an obligation to be vigilant.  We recommend that parents supervise their kids and recommend visiting

OnGuardOnline.gov for more tips on securing your computer, protecting personal information whether you’re using a wireless connection or a traditional one, and guarding against Internet fraud. OnGuardOnline.gov is maintained by the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency.

Press Contact:

Ryan Ruud

Marketing Communications

Office: 320-257-7618

Mobile: 612-799-0803

ryan.ruud@W3i.com

Easy To Use Desktop App Provides Real-Time Facebook Feed®, Photo Upload and More

St. Cloud, Minn., January 25, 2011- Facebook’s® 500 million plus users can now stay connected to their friends online, on-the-go and on their desktop with W3i’s newest desktop app, FlipToast.

FlipToast emerges from beta testing with more than 120,000 users and connects users to their real-time Facebook® feed without logging in to the Facebook® website. Gamers use the app to stay engaged with their network while not interrupting their gameplay. FlipToast’s Drag-n-Drop photo upload makes sharing photos with your network a snap, as easy as drag and drop.

FlipToast also “gifts” its users with app recommendations providing developers and advertisers an opportunity to engage with receptive Facebook® audiences.

Keith Douza of techie-buzz.com says FlipToast is “by far one of the best desktop apps for Facebook®.”

“Fliptoast is the next evolution in W3i’s commitment to creating value for our publishers, advertisers and consumers of free apps. It expands a business that includes desktop, mobile and now social applications.” notes Andy Johnson, CEO, W3i.

FlipToast emerges from its beta at the Inside Social Apps conference in San Francisco and will continue to adapt and evolve to fit users’ needs.

“We are really excited about the great response we’ve received thus far and are very enthusiastic about creating an even more compelling real-time Facebook® experience.” says Shivani Khanna, W3i Software Development Manager and FlipToast creator.

FlipToast is free to download and available today by clicking HERE.

About W3i: W3i increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for consumer applications. W3i’s solutions use InstallIQ technology for recommending PC and mobile applications that users value.  InstallIQ was optimized on more than 500 million app installs–including more than 120 million in 2010. W3i is an experienced team of app-savvy marketers with deep technical know-how and many years of industry experience. To learn more, visit www.W3i.com.

The names of the companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. FlipToast is not associated in any way with Facebook.

St. Cloud, Minn., January 12, 2011- W3i, a leading distributor of consumer applications, announces its distribution network reached 500 million downloads. The network connected people to 120 million applications in 2010.

W3i began marketing consumer desktop applications in 2000 under the name Freeze.com. In 2007 the company changed its name to W3i. In 2010 W3i saw a market need to intelligently connect people to apps on mobile platforms.   W3i now makes its proprietary installation technology, InstallIQ, available to mobile app marketers.

In 2011, the company is aggressively expanding its footprint in mobile distribution continuing its heritage of innovation by providing developers of iOS apps distribution and monetization services.

“It takes passion, commitment and creativity to build an industry leading application distribution network that creates value for mobile, web, browser and desktop application developers and users.  The W3i team’s pioneering spirit of innovation runs deep and I congratulate them all, “notes Andy Johnson, CEO, W3i.

About W3i: W3i increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for consumer applications. W3i’s solutions use InstallIQ technology for recommending PC and mobile applications that users value.  InstallIQ was optimized on more than 500 million app installs–including more than 120 million in 2010. W3i is an experienced team of app-savvy marketers with deep technical know-how and many years of industry experience. To learn more, visit www.W3i.com.

Press Contact:

Ryan Ruud

Marketing Communications

Office: 320-257-7618

Mobile: 612-799-0803

ryan.ruud@W3i.com

###

St. Cloud, Minn., January 11, 2011- W3i announces the launch of the new Ad-Funded Payment Platform, providing a robust and customizable solution for developers looking for app discovery or monetization. With over 300,000 apps in the App Store and virtual goods revenue projected to pass $2 billion in the U.S. in 2011, the Ad-Funded Payment Platform helps iOS app developers achieve their discovery and monetization goals.  The solution works by rewarding users with virtual currency in free iOS games for installing apps from advertisers.

Unique to the market, The Ad-Funded Payment Platform provides customizable offer interfaces for publishers, robust and intelligent reporting for developers and superior end-user experiences for iOS gamers. The Ad-Funded Payment Platform also offers variations optimized for iPhone and iPad. This new product is driven by W3i’s proprietary InstallIQ software, optimized on 500 million downloads.

“Integrating the W3i Ad-Funded Payment Platform was a breeze, providing a frictionless experience for our users while driving our revenues,” says Raik Bittner Managing Director of Raix Games.

Meanwhile, advertisers are provided extensive support for campaigns with robust reporting, and targeting.

Users benefit from an offer experience geared toward them. Easy to understand, the Ad-Funded Payment Platform easily advances gameplay for users while providing access to their download history and customer support with only a few taps.

The Ad-Funded Payment Platform is part of a growing mobile distribution network at W3i that includes Apperang, released summer of 2010 and more additions to come in 2011.

“The W3i Ad-Funded Payment Platform provides publishers an opportunity to monetize and drive their virtual goods transactions in a branded offer wall experience, while giving advertisers powerful insights and control into their marketing campaigns through sophisticated campaign dashboards. Users get free apps.  A win-win-win,” notes Andy Johnson, CEO W3i.

About W3i: W3i increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for consumer applications. W3i’s solutions use InstallIQ technology for recommending PC and mobile applications that users value.  InstallIQ was optimized on more than 500 million app installs–including more than 120 million in 2010. W3i is an experienced team of app-savvy marketers with deep technical know-how and many years of industry experience. To learn more, visit www.W3i.com.

Press Contact:

Ryan Ruud

Marketing Communications

Office: 320-257-7618

Mobile: 612-799-0803

ryan.ruud@w3i.com

St. Cloud, Minn. December 17, 2010- The internet’s most downloaded screensaver, Living 3D Dolphins, is set to debut for the first time as a game. The all new free-to-play simulation game for the IOS, “Dolphin Play”, arrives just in time for the holidays.

With more than 6 million downloads, the Living 3D Dolphins screensaver provides a visually stunning backdrop for Recharge Studios’ debut game, Dolphin Play.

Dolphin Play showcases the highly intelligent and playful nature of dolphins with breathtaking artwork and animation. Immerse yourself in a simulated world under the sea. Choose from 55 different creatures including five dolphin species and 50 fish.

Interact with your new underwater friends by buying, selling, feeding and playing to earn coins or Experience Points (XP). Dolphin Play also features a special mini-game where you can train your dolphin, teaching her tricks and increasing her skill level.

Dolphin Play is available in the Apple App Store.

About Recharge Studios:
Recharge Studios aspires to be a leading publisher of free-to-play quality mobile games. Recharge Studios is a wholly-owned subsidiary of W3i and a division of W3i Mobile Solutions.

Press Contact:

Ryan Ruud

Marketing Communications

Office: 320-257-7618

Mobile: 612-799-0803

* IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.

Featured in: Inside Social Games, 148Apps, Pocketgamer, and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

St. Cloud, Minn., December 2, 2010- W3i, a leading distributor of consumer applications, announces the launch of Recharge Studios, a new mobile game publisher, which is looking to invest more than a million dollars to fund iOS development and distribution costs for game developers.  Those with past development experience are asked to submit an original game concept or prototype which features proven freemium game mechanics.

With more than 300,000 apps in Apple’s App Store, newcomers to the gaming world are challenged with mobile app discovery. With varying increments of funding available, Recharge Studios will provide funding for mobile game development and marketing to a variety of different game studios, large and small.

For developers, this is a chance to be a part of an exciting partnership with a company that has more than a decade of experience distributing and monetizing top consumer applications.

To apply for this opportunity, funded by W3i, contact W3i’s Vice President of Business Development and Co-Founder, Robert Weber at robert.weber@w3i.com

About W3i: W3i increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for consumer desktop applications, browser add-ons, and mobile applications.  On the desktop app side, app publishers get paid for recommending relevant applications giving advertisers a mass, performance-driven distribution channel.  On the mobile side, W3i Mobile Solutions offers low-cost, targeted advertising campaigns for iOS apps on a cost-per-install basis.  W3i’s solutions use InstallIQ technology for recommending PC and mobile applications that users’ value.  InstallIQ was optimized on more than 400 million app installs–including more than 100 million in 2009.  W3i will prove to be a valued partner in growing your application business.  To learn more, visit www.W3i.com.

About Recharge Studios: Recharge Studios is a free-to-play mobile game publisher seeking opportunities to invest several million dollars in the development and marketing of free-to-play iOS games. Recharge Studios is a wholly-owned subsidiary of W3i. By working with Recharge Studios, game developers gain access to considerable capital and significant marketing resources, as well as production expertise from a support staff of free-to-play mobile game experts.

Press Contact:

Ryan Ruud

Marketing Communications

Office: 320-257-7618

Mobile: 612-799-0803

ryan.ruud@W3i.com

###

St. Cloud, MN, August 12, 2010 – The W3i Content API is launching at Affiliate Summit East 2010 for all W3i affiliates.  The W3i Content API simplifies the display of W3i content on affiliate web sites providing access to the full W3i content catalog of over 500 free downloads, creating new content experiences for users –driving affiliate revenue growth.

Through the new W3i Content API affiliates display W3i content with total ease eliminating labor costs.  Affiliate sites are integrated with the W3i Content API so W3i content can be pulled dynamically.  Free downloads are available in popular download categories:  video, music, games, social networking, utilities and desktop entertainment.    

The W3i Content API allows affiliates to create new content experiences by requesting the type of content to be displayed on a themed web site.  Web sites can be built quickly for various market segments.

By using the W3i Content API affiliates can also capture the long tail of consumer interests to drive earnings.  As new download content is added to the catalog, it will automatically populate to the web site using the Content API.

The W3i Content API is easy to implement.   Each W3i content, category and content type have associated information. For example, content has associated information such as content name, description, images, etc. Content is assigned to both categories (such as Holidays) and a content type (such as Games). Make a query to request all content or the content belonging to a category or content type that you want to display on your site and the API responds with what is requested. Display only the information wanted on the site. The W3i Content API is a RESTful API and returns information requested in the form of XML.

“W3i’s Content API is a powerful tool that gives W3i affiliates easy access to W3i’s expansive catalog of free downloads.  Now affiliates can easily build sites that drive incremental revenue during peak seasons by creating a download portal that showcases all of W3i’s free downloads.  The W3i Content API is our commitment to partner growth, speed to market and ease of use.” comments Eric Montag, W3i Product Manager. 

Current W3i Affiliates can access the W3i Content API by going to the W3i Associate Portal: associate.w3i.com. To become a W3i affiliate, visit W3i.com and click on Affiliate Sign-Up in the Make Money menu drop-down.

About W3i:
W3i increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for consumer desktop applications, browser add-ons, and mobile applications.  On the desktop app side, app publishers get paid for recommending relevant applications giving advertisers a mass, performance-driven distribution channel.  On the mobile side, W3i Mobile Solutions offers low-cost, targeted advertising campaigns for iPhone apps on a pay-per-install basis.  W3i’s solutions use the company’s InstallIQ, intelligent installation technology, for recommending PC and mobile applications that users value.  InstallIQ was optimized on more than 400 million app installs–including more than 100 million in 2009.  W3i will prove to be a valued partner in growing your application business.  To learn more, visit www.W3i.com.

Press Contact:
Deborah Manthei
Director of Marketing Communications
320-257-7571
deborah.manthei@W3i.com

###

St. Cloud, MN, June 28, 2010 – W3i, a leading desktop and mobile Application Distribution Network for the Internet industry, launches Apperang.com, a new Internet service where consumers get rewarded for discovering and sharing great mobile applications. 

“Apperang.com gives consumers a way to discover interesting apps and then get paid for each installation,” said Andy Johnson, CEO at W3i.  “By becoming members of Apperang and sharing their interests, consumers view applications that they find useful and get paid for installing them.  What could be better than that?”

Apperang.com works as follows:

1. User visits Apperang.com, consumer website
2. User views recommended apps
3. User installs app and syncs through iTunes®
4. User gets paid $.25 if the app is free or $.25 plus the cost of the application if it is a paid app

Apperang will initially support apps available on the App Store for iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod touch® devices.  Apperang launches as a desktop website and will be extended with an iPhone app at a later date.  Only US residents will find available apps, but additional markets will be added quickly.  Consumers in other countries can become a member and will be notified when apps become available for their country.  Users must be 13 years older to join.  Members get paid a 5% referral bonus for the first 2 years on all install revenues generated by their direct referrals.  

Apperang.com launches its public beta on June 28, 2010, at 6:00 a.m. CDT.  Participating apps in the beta include MyTown by Booyah, Inc., Fingerzilla by Inert Soap and Sigma by BigStack Studios.  To start earning cash, join Apperang.com today.

About W3i:
W3i increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for consumer desktop applications, browser add-ons and mobile applications.  On the desktop app side, app publishers get paid for recommending relevant applications giving advertisers a mass, performance-driven distribution channel.  On the mobile side, W3i Mobile Solutions offers low-cost, targeted advertising campaigns for iOS app distribution on a pay-per-install basis with no integration.  W3i’s solutions use the company’s InstallIQ, intelligent installation technology, for recommending PC and mobile applications that users’ value.  InstallIQ was optimized on more than 400 million app installs–including more than 100 million in 2009.  W3i will prove to be a valued partner in growing your application business.  W3i runs several owned-and-operated consumer sites including Apperang.com, Freeze.com, and Screensaver.com with more than 15 million unique visitors a month.  To learn more, visit www.W3i.com or view our W3i Mobile Press Kit.

Press Contact:
Deborah Manthei
Director of Marketing Communications
320-257-7571
deborah.manthei@W3i.com

The names of the companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.