July 01, 2008 09:00 ET

GamesRadar Releases a Free Videogame Data API

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - July 1, 2008) - GamesRadar, Future US, Inc.'s online gaming information site, has released a free and publicly available games data API http://www.gamesradar.com/developer. The data API includes full game information (such as names, AKA names, publisher and ESRB ratings) as well as lists of reviews, previews, news, features, screenshots, videos, cheats and guides. The API is the first in a series of strategic product releases designed to make GamesRadar an increasingly open web services platform.

Several types of companies can benefit from the free videogame data API. Social media application developers can leverage the API to create engaging videogame centric social media applications. Independent website owners and other media companies can use the API to complement their core content and community services. Online retailers can use the API to increase sales conversions and customer loyalty of their online stores.

With the API, Future aims to create a movement to standardize videogame metadata. Standardized videogame data will improve interoperability among videogame centric Internet business.

"Standardization and interoperability benefits game publishers, advertisers, videogame consumers as well as the internet businesses servicing these customer groups," said Tyson Daugherty, Head of Internet Development at Future US, Inc.

N4G, a strategic partner of Future US, Inc. and member of the GamesRadar Network, is using the API to sync a feed of their game centric social news aggregator, www.n4g.com, for ingestion and integration into www.gamesradar.com in addition to presenting GamesRadar games guide content on www.N4G.com.

The GamesRadar Network currently has a monthly unique audience of 5.1 million (ComScore: MediaMetrix, May 2008).

About Future US, Inc.

Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today Future plc has operations in the UK and US creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. They hold strong market positions in games, music, technology, action-sports, film, automotive and crafts. Their biggest-selling magazines in the US include Official Xbox Magazine, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, Nintendo Power, PC Gamer, Guitar World, Maximum PC and Mac|Life, while their UK business publishes leading titles such as T3, Total Film, Digital Camera, Fast Car and Classic Rock. Their web sites include GamesRadar, BikeRadar, TechRadar, and MusicRadar. Future sells over 4 million magazines each month; attracts more than 11 million unique visitors to their websites; and hosts 16 annual live events that attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally, making us the UK's biggest exporter of monthly magazines.