WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., July 11, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Meteor Games, LLC, an independent game studio created by Neopets founders Adam Powell and Donna Williams, has licensed the BigWorld Technology Suite from BigWorld Pty Ltd. The licensed game engine provides a strong foundation on which Meteor Games will build their first project, a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) designed for players of all ages.

Meteor Games is an innovative game development studio committed to creating interactive experiences that bridge the gaps between the engaging nature and broad appeal of web-based gaming, the community-focused elements of today's exploding social networks, and the fun and depth of traditional massively multiplayer online games.

"BigWorld's technology provides us with an extremely powerful and highly flexible game engine, which can be tailored to the specific needs of our upcoming MMO," said Adam Powell, CEO and creative director, Meteor Games. "More importantly, BigWorld's game engine allows us to focus on game design, gameplay innovation and overall creativity rather than core technology development, thus ensuring our new MMO delivers an experience unlike any other."

"As the creators of Neopets, Meteor Games founders Adam Powell and Donna Williams have proven themselves capable of rewriting the book on online gaming and social interactions and their next project looks to be even more unique, fun and successful," said Gavin Longhurst, Vice President of Business Development, BigWorld. "At Meteor Games, they have the talent and the leadership to carve out another seminal offering in the space, and BigWorld is proud to be the platform to build on their vision."

In 1999, Powell and Williams co-created Neopets, guiding the first-of-its-kind site from launch through an unprecedented period of growth, which today accounts for more than 45 million users in 11 languages. Neopets was sold to MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, in 2005 for $160 million and remains one of the largest and most popular destinations for kids and teens on the Internet.

Details about the upcoming project from Meteor Games will be released at a later date. For more information about Meteor Games, please visit http://www.meteorgames.com.

About the BigWorld Technology Suite

Comprised of BigWorld Server Software, content Creation Pipeline, 3D Client Engine Package, Live Management Tools and Instrumentation, BigWorld Technology Suite is the only complete MMOG solution, providing all of the complex technology required to produce an engaging next-generation MMOG or Virtual World.

About BigWorld Pty Ltd

BigWorld Pty Ltd was formed in 2002 to commercialize years of intense R&D, which started in 1999 and continues to this day. BigWorld Pty Ltd is a privately held company based in Australia that licenses its BigWorld Technology Suite middleware platform to game studios around the world that are looking to produce successful next-generation Massively Multiplayer Online Games and Virtual Worlds. Further information can be found on the BigWorld website at http://www.bigworldtech.com.

About Meteor Games

Founded by Adam Powell and Donna Williams, co-creators of Neopets, Meteor Games is an independent game studio committed to creating an experience that bridges the gaps between the engaging nature and broad appeal of web-based gaming, the community-focused elements of today's exploding social networks, and the fun and depth of traditional massively multiplayer online gaming experiences. Meteor Games is based in West Hollywood, Calif. and is in production on their first project. For more information, please visit http://www.meteorgames.com.

SOURCE Meteor Games, LLC

 http://www.meteorgames.com