To introduce the state-of-the-art gaming platform, Nick Online has partnered with industry leaders Big Fish Games and TryMedia for their expertise in paid gaming marketing, merchandising, publishing, and technology.

Nickelodeon Online senior VP and GM Mike Skagerlind said, “Nick Arcade provides a unique platform of rich game experiences for our audience that they can download and own. With the combined expertise of Big Fish Games and TryMedia, Nickelodeon will move to the forefront of this arena.”

Nick Arcade will re-launch with more than 60 premium downloadable games for kids, including Nick.com published games such as SpongeBob Obstacle Odyssey, The Fairly OddParents Big Superhero Wish, Jimmy Neutron Invention Revenge and Nick Jr. titles including Dora’s Rapido River Rafting Race. In addition, the site will include a collection of third party titles from a variety of game developers. Games will be priced at an average of twenty dollars.

Big Fish Games CEO Paul thelen says, “We consider Nickelodeon as one of our premiere partners in the paid gaming space. Nickelodeon adds legitimacy to this emerging market because it extends casual game offerings to a younger audience, and adds top-tier branded content to the mix.”

The portfolio of available games on Nick Arcade will be frequently updated with original paid downloadable games published by Nick Online, which will be released beginning third quarter 2005, as well as new releases from third party developers. In addition, Nick Online will be building distribution partnerships throughout the year with third parties and portals to syndicate these games to a broader market.

As part of the Nick Arcade, users can join a membership program for $7.99 per month called the Nick Arcade Pass.By joining the programme, members will receive one free game every month, along with coupons and discounts on games, and other benefits.

On NickJr.com, adults will also find a “Games for Grown-Ups section at www.nickjrgrownupgames.com. This will include a selection of third party games for the website’s parent audience. Launched on June 10 with the support of Big Fish Games, Games for Grown-Ups features play puzzles, word games, cards and more such as Magic Vines, Chuzzle Deluxe and MahJong Quest. These are intended to give parents a quick, fun break from their daily lives.

Big Fish Games is a developer, publisher and distributor of casual, family friendly games, has one of the best game catalogs on the Internet, a global network reach of over 18 million monthly unique users and distribution partners such as Nickelodeon, Bolt Media, and iVillage.com. Through the efforts of a network of over 250 game development partners, Big Fish Games offers consumers a New Game Every Day and makes acquiring downloadable games and playing games online a safe, easy and reliable experience.