MURRIETA, Calif. and NEWARK, Calif., Feb. 24, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Left Behind Games Inc. (OTCBB:LFBG), a leading publisher of Christian video games, and Digital Praise, the world's largest privately held company producing Christian video games, today announced they have entered into a merger agreement. The new entity will possess the synergy of two experienced development teams, their combined highly successful video games, and the increased financial resources available through a public company. All of these factors are expected to significantly raise the visibility and appeal of the Christian video game market.
Digital Praise is a developer, publisher and distributor of well-known games such as Adventures in Odyssey®, Guitar Praise™, Dance Praise® (including VeggieTales® edition), Light Rangers, as well as Hermie & Friends™, aMazing Bible and two new iPhone game apps. Established in 2003 under the management of Tom Bean, Peter Fokos, and Bill Bean, Digital Praise now has a catalog of over 30 award-winning titles for Windows and Mac personal computers, DVDs, online flash games, and iPhones. To learn more about Digital Praise's award-winning Christian entertainment products, go to www.digitalpraise.com.
Digital Praise realized its first big hit in 2005 with Dance Praise, a game integrating a dance mat and music from top Christian artists. Its biggest hit, Guitar Praise, was released in late 2008. The game utilizes a unique wireless guitar that lets players jam with popular Christian musicians.
Digital Praise has established a wide range of strategic relationships with Christian market leaders including Thomas Nelson, EMI, and Focus on the Family (which has both U.S. and international distribution partners), plus Christian retailers such as Family Christian Stores, Lifeway, Parable and Mardel. General market retailers handling Digital Praise products include Apple, Best Buy and Fry's Electronics. Online retailers include Amazon.com and Christian Book Distributors (CBD), and international partners include Cook in Canada, STL in Great Britain, and Koorongs and Word in Australia.
"Digital Praise has the four key ingredients that will take our company to the next level," said Left Behind Games CEO Troy Lyndon. "Those keys are: (1) strong brands and products, (2) multi-channeled distribution, (3) a solid management team and (4) a history of generating millions of dollars in the emerging Christian video game market, a feat no company has matched."
"This merger gives us access to capital that we anticipate will enable us to produce far more new innovative games than we could hope to develop as a privately held company," said Tom Bean, President and CEO of Digital Praise.
Michael Patcher, Research Analyst at Wedbush Securities stated, "I think that the Christian video game market is a significant market currently underserved by traditional publishers. This merger will allow Left Behind Games to be well positioned to serve the millions of people of faith that enjoy Christian entertainment."
The Christian entertainment market is well demonstrated in various popular types of media. According to the Gospel Music Association Industry Overview in 2009, Christian/Gospel recorded music sales are almost half a billion annually with over 56 million units sold in 2008.
CEO Troy Lyndon adds, "We believe every child and gamers of all ages should have the opportunity to play Christian games. We are grateful to our investors who believe in our mission and purpose; and who have made this merger possible."
About Digital Praise Inc.
Digital Praise is an independent developer of family-friendly Christian entertainment software for personal computers and other devices including iPhones. The company produces, publishes and distributes titles for families who enjoy interactive entertainment software with principled character-building themes and "just good clean fun." For more information, visit www.digitalpraise.com.
About Left Behind Games Inc.
Left Behind Games Inc., also known as Inspired Media Entertainment (See www.inspiredmedia.com), has become one of the world's leading independent developers and publishers of quality interactive entertainment products that perpetuate positive values and appeal to mainstream and faith-based audiences. For more information, visit www.leftbehindgames.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements, which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Left Behind Games, Inc. and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.