James Patterson’s “Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet” From I-play Launches Exclusively on MSN Games

MSN Games premieres the first interactive experience from the best-selling author and leading casual games publisher I-play.


REDMOND, Wash. — May 2008 — Microsoft Corp.’s MSN Games and I-play, the publishing division of Oberon Media Inc., today unveiled “Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet,” the first interactive game based on a story and characters by best-selling author James Patterson. The first in a planned series of games based on Patterson’s massively popular “Women’s Murder Club” (“WMC”) books is debuting exclusively on MSN Games, one of the world’s leading casual gaming sites, in collaboration with the game’s creator, leading casual games publisher I-play. “Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet” is available exclusively on MSN Games through May 29.

The game, which features the characters from the “WMC” books and an all-new, never-before-seen storyline, is a thrilling seek-and-find adventure designed by award-winning game designer Jane Jensen in collaboration with Patterson. Its storyline lets fans experience the suspense of James Patterson’s stories interactively for the first time as they solve a chilling series of murders in San Francisco.

“The opportunity for casual games built around intriguing stories and compelling characters is largely untapped, and who better to lead the way than America’s No. 1 storyteller, James Patterson?” said Kevin Unangst, senior global director of Games for Windows in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “We’re thrilled to partner with James Patterson and I-play to debut a game of this caliber on MSN Games.”

The game will be promoted extensively throughout the MSN network, including on MSN.com, MSN Games, MSN Entertainment and MSN Shopping, as well as on Microsoft.com.

“MSN Games is a great place to debut a high-profile casual game with a powerful brand like James Patterson, based on the strength of their audience and the scope and reach of the MSN and Microsoft networks,” said Don Ryan, head of I-play. “We’re excited to work with them and are looking forward to an incredible debut for the first ‘Women’s Murder Club’ game.”

“Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet” is available exclusively at MSN Games from May 15 through May 29. Visit http://www.games.msn.com for more information.