Remote control version of the game of the year on Interactive Sudoku on FASTWEB digital TV
Milan, 21 September 2005 - The first interactive TV version of Sudoku is being introduced on the TV games channel of FASTWEB - Italy's largest alternative broadband telecommunications operator - following a co-operation agreement with Milestone, the Leader group company that developed the new version.
From beaches to drawing rooms, the Sudoku numbers puzzle has rapidly become a global multimedia phenomenon, spreading from the printed press to FASTWEB's new-generation digital TV, a world first when it debuted in 2001.
The FASTWEB Sudoku - available on the Fastgame channel launched in June on FASTWEB TV channel 94 - has stylish graphics and a Japanese look in honor of the puzzle's ancient oriental roots. Features include sound effects and interactive functions to let users store the steps of the game, control playing time and check for logical inconsistencies The game engine produces the number sequences in real time, depending on the level of difficulty selected by the player. The best performances can be classified on the general scoreboard, where all FASTWEB TV clients register with a personal nickname.
Sudoku is just the latest game introduced by FASTWEB in co-operation with the LEADER Group, one of the top names on the Digital Entertainment market, where it specializes in the distribution, publication and development of videogames . Every month new games are added to the huge selection already available: mazes, space games, puzzles, sports games, board games and games of skill. A series of group games has already been introduced and are about to be joined by an interactive TV version of the classic Gioco dell'Oca, for up to 4 players. Participants use the remote control to throw an interactive dice and move their piece in a fairy-tale setting with impressive digital effects. In the future remote players will be able to play traditional games such as chess or billiards, or new-generation games, directly against one another.
FASTWEB clients have responded with enormous interest to the Fastgame channel since its launch in June 2005. In the first three months, for example, more than 2 million games have been played.
Subscription to the Fastgame service may be taken out directly from the television, using the remote control that comes with the FASTWEB digital Decoder. The cost is 5 ? per month.
For further details about the FASTWEB television offer (TV on demand, Pay TV and theme channels): www.fastweb.it.