GGL and Snoop Dogg Kick Off Season 2 of the Hip-Hop Gaming League

GGL and Snoop Dogg Kick Off Season 2 of the Hip-Hop Gaming League

Thirty-Two Hip-Hop Icons and Pro Sports Celebrities Compete Online in an All-Star Battle Royale; GGL Gamers Compete to Win a Seat at the Star-Studded Finals in Las Vegas

MTV, Spike TV, Vibe Magazine and AOL to Broadcast and Promote HHGL Matches and Content

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- After a wildly successful first season, the GGL and hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg today announced the official start of the Hip-Hop Gaming League (HHGL) Season 2 -- an online gaming tournament featuring 32 of the biggest names in hip-hop and professional sports competing for bragging rights and bling. This season, registered GGL members can also get in on the action, competing in a parallel league for a chance to go to the HHGL Finals on February 16, 2007 in Las Vegas. Tournament registration is open now at www.hhgl.com .

Snoop Dogg, the Commissioner of the HHGL, hand-picked the Season 2 celebrity roster based on their video game skills and prominence in the hip-hop community. Returning players from Season 1 include Eric V, B-Real, Paul Wall, David Banner, Murs, Krazie Bone, Fredwreck, Just Blaze, Jalen Rose (Phoenix Suns) and Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy). Joining them are Yung Joc, Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, Birdman, DJ Maseo of De La Soul, Malice and Pusha T of 'The Clipse', DJ Revolution, Xololanxinxo, Lil Keke, Hi-Tek, Big Pooh, Warren G, Jibbs, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Aaron McGruder (Boondocks creator), Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos), Darnell Bing (Oakland Raiders), Trevor Ariza (Orlando Magic) and Michael Robinson (San Francisco 49ers).

"Yo, the HHGL is slammin' this season, with some of the baddest gamers in hip-hop and pro sports," said Snoop Dogg. "This time around, the fans are gonna get into the game, going up against superstars like my main man Eric V, B-Real, David Banner, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, Warren G, Cobi Jones and so many other brothas I can't even give 'em all shout-outs. Just play the game, ya dig?"

Each HHGL celebrity player will be outfitted with an Xbox 360 and EA Sports' NCAA 07 Football, and will battle each other on the virtual gridiron to gain points and advance up the tournament ladder. Additional games, such as THQ's Saint's Row, EA Sports' Madden NFL 07, ESPN's NFL 2K7 or NBA 2K7, or others, may be added at the sole discretion of the Commissioner to spice up the league. HHGL2 celebrities also have the option to cross over and challenge the public to earn extra points and gaming street cred.

"If you want to compete against the best gamers in hip-hop and pro sports, you've got to bring your A-game or just go home," said Ted Owen, Chairman and Founder of the GGL. "Hip-hop music, celebrities, the Internet and gaming are driving and defining the alternative-to-mainstream culture for 14 to 34-year-olds today. It's tough to know which has more influence, but by bringing them all together, the GGL is at the epicenter of this cultural revolution."

Returning from Season 1, MTV will promote HHGL throughout the season, providing continuous coverage of the tournament online at http://games.mtv.com/. The network previewed HHGL Season 2 during its Gamer's Week 2.0, November 13-17, 2006 with appearances by Snoop Dogg, Li'l Wayne, Lupe Fiasco and others. MTV viewers and GGL gamers will compete online for a chance to move into the playoffs and live finals event.

Spike TV's weekly Game Head program will also cover the Season 2 action and run special on-air and online segments leading up to the HHGL Finals. In addition, the HHGL Finals will be the focal point of a future Game Head episode in early March. Game Head is dedicated to everything that is happening in the world of video games. From the latest reviews, cheat codes, rumor reports, the hottest games and gaming events of the week, Game Head offers viewers an uncompromised look at the hardcore culture of video games. SpikeTV.com will also link to the HHGL Website so that Spike viewers can easily enter the tournament on www.hhgl.com .

GGL and AOL are extending their media partnership to cover HHGL Season 2. Beginning in mid-January, visitors to the co-branded GameDaily site (www.gamedaily.com/global-gaming-league ) will have access to in-depth HHGL Season 2 coverage and video features while offering gamers an opportunity to play one of HHGL's celebrities as part of the "HHGL Nite" each Wednesday.

Additional HHGL Season 2 coverage will be provided by GGL's new magazine partner Vibe Magazine and its affiliates at Vibe.com, MyVibe TV and Vibe on Demand on Comcast.

The HHGL finals hosted by Snoop Dogg, will feature two HHGL semi-final matches, the HHGL championship match, and a VIP exhibition tournament. Afterwards, all HHGL finalists and assorted VIPs will join Snoop and his crew for the HHGL Season 2 wrap party featuring live performances by the biggest names in hip-hop.

For additional information, tournament rules or to sign up for the public HHGL tournament, please visit www.hhgl.com .

About GGL

GGL is the leading media company dedicated to expanding and delivering the culture of videogaming to a worldwide audience. Formerly known as the Global Gaming League, GGL engages its growing, global community of loyal videogame enthusiasts via its state-of-the-art online gaming network, its year-round live videogame tournaments and events, celebrity leagues such as the Hip-Hop Gaming League and the Professional Baseball Gaming League, and broad array of gaming-oriented content, technologies and services. These offerings put the GGL at the epicenter of the online gaming universe, creating an immersive, 360-degree entertainment experience for a rapidly growing community of connected gamers. For more information, visit www.ggl.com .

Source: GGL

CONTACT: Eric Sokolsky of Weber Shandwick Worldwide for GGL,
+1-212-445-8081, esokolsky@webershandwick.com

Web site: http://www.ggl.com/
http://www.hhgl.com/
http://games.mtv.com/

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