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AOL launches games on instant messenger service

By Reuters
Los Angeles, 26 Sept 2003

Taking another step into the lucrative video games market, America Online said yesterday it would launch a series of interactive games that run on its popular instant messaging software and let users chat with each other while playing.

AOL, a unit of AOL Time Warner, said AIM Games was immediately available in test form with a download of version 5.5 of the instant messaging service.

AOL is working with Wild Tangent, which creates basic action and puzzle games with titles like "Blasterball", "Mars Rover" and "Polar Bowler". Wild Tangent is handling the back-end systems and billing for the games.

While some titles will cost users to play, AOL said others will be available for free, such as two games being sponsored by dnL, a new soft drink.

AOL and leading game publisher Electronic Arts recently renegotiated a deal for EA to provide games for AOL`s service, with AOL now paying EA to provide content, as opposed to the previous arrangement where EA paid AOL.

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