MTV to promote underground video game league

MTV, a division of Viacom Inc., announced a partnership with the Hip-Hop Gaming League to help promote and give visibility to the first underground, online V.I.P. video game league. MTV’s promotional presence will be evident through on-air and online programming and across MTV’s various platforms. The inaugural season of the HHGL is being orchestrated by the league’s first commissioner and co-founder, Snoop Dogg.

Fans will be able to check out the latest updates on all the HHGL action on HHGL.com, the league’s new, dedicated website, as well as the MTV Overdrive Games channel at http://games.mtv.com for updates on who’s beating who each week leading up to the finals taking place on May 13 in Los Angeles in which the entire match will be streamed live. The finals will also air as part of Sucker Free on MTV2 in May. In addition, the G-Hole, MTV’s newest video game show, is featuring the HHGL in segments that will air across all of MTV’s various on-air and online platforms.

“Who else could do it this big other than MTV, Snoop Dogg and Xbox Live,” said Snoop Dogg. “How bout dat, ya dig?”

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Hip-Hop Gaming League as it brings a whole new level of visibility to the world of organized video game competitions,” stated Salli Frattini, senior vice president, executive in charge of production. “Working with the HHGL allows us to present some of our audience’s passions across MTV’s multiple platforms by bringing together some of the biggest names in hip-hop to test their competitive skills on some of their favorite video games.”

Hip-hop’s finest get their game on in the Hip Hop Gaming League. The player line-up for the inaugural season includes personalities from the worlds of hip-hop, sports and entertainment, including Paul Wall, Just Blaze, Twista, David Banner, Krayzie Bone of Grammy winners Bone-Thugs-n-Harmony, MLS Star Cobi Jones, Murs, Kaine of the Ying Yang Twins, NBA Star Jalen Rose, Fredwreck, BReal of Cypress Hill, Eric V. of the Baka Boyz and Method Man. Players were selected based on their video game skills and for their prominence in the hip-hop community. They are challenging each other over the course of the upcoming weeks on NBA 2K6 and Madden NFL ’06 on the Xbox Live 360 Network to see who will be crowned the first ever HHGL World Champion and awarded eternal bragging rights.

“The Global Gaming League is a video games media company focused on building community and content,” said Ted Owen, chairman and founder, Global Gaming League. “The Hip-Hop Gaming League is a perfect expression of this new culture and we are thrilled to partner with MTV on this venture.”

The HHGL finals will be held May 13, 2006 in Los Angeles. The event, hosted by Snoop Dogg himself, will feature two HHGL semi-final matches, the HHGL championship match, and a VIP exhibition tournament. All matches will be played on customized HHGL Xbox 360s. The live event will also feature music performances by A-list talent.