Byron Preiss Multimedia Company Inc. Signs Agreement with Microsoft for The Microsoft Network

Byron Preiss Multimedia Company Inc. has signed a significant agreement with Microsoft Corp. to become a "content provider" for The Microsoft Network, a planned online service. As a content provider, Byron Preiss Multimedia will have a unique forum on the network, enabling them to create multi-user online games, link CD-ROMs to the online service, stage unique online events related to their CD-ROM titles, sell advertising, market and sell their CD-ROM titles online. The agreement also establishes Virtual Comics, the first original online publisher, which will debut with a downloadable library of comics and three wholly original interactive comics series.

Key Takeaways:

• Byron Preiss Multimedia Company Inc. has signed an agreement with Microsoft to become a content provider for The Microsoft Network.
• The agreement will enable Byron Preiss Multimedia to create multi-user online games, link CD-ROMs to the online service, stage unique online events, sell advertising, and market and sell their CD-ROM titles online.
• Virtual Comics, the first original online publisher, will debut on The Microsoft Network with a downloadable library of comics and three wholly original interactive comics series.
• Danny Fingeroth, Director and Editor-in-Chief of Virtual Comics, was most recently Group Editor of Marvel Comics' Spider-Man line.
• Chris Colborn, Manager of On-Line Services, will manage Virtual Comics.
• The first three titles of Virtual Comics include They Call Me...the SKUL, THE 6, and THE SUIT.
• Byron Preiss Multimedia develops and publishes multimedia software for the consumer, small business, and educational markets.
• The company's titles include R. Crumb Screensaver & Companion, The Multimedia Cartoon Studio, and Will Eisner's The Spirit CD-ROMs.
• Microsoft Corp. operates The Microsoft Network on behalf of Microsoft On-line Services Partnership.

Statistics:

• Byron Preiss Multimedia Company Inc. is headquartered in New York City.
• 3 wholly original interactive comics series will be published by Virtual Comics.
• The first three titles of Virtual Comics will be They Call Me...the SKUL, THE 6, and THE SUIT.
• The company has a diverse range of titles in the multimedia software market, including R. Crumb Screensaver & Companion, The Multimedia Cartoon Studio, and Will Eisner's The Spirit CD-ROMs.

Sources:

• Byron Preiss Multimedia Company Inc. press release, dated August 3, 1995
• Business Wire, August 3, 1995
• Microsoft Corp. on behalf of Microsoft On-line Services Partnership
• Meryl Moss
• Sandi Mendelson
• Hilsinger-Mendelson Inc.