Hasbro to Launch Gaming Portal

In the wake of severe company cutbacks, Hasbro announced its plans to develop a game-related portal web site this morning. The portal, called Games.com, is scheduled to open in mid-2000 and will be partnered with Go2Net through a three-year licensing and content distribution agreement.

"Games.com will be the ultimate online gaming experience as we roll out the world's favorite games to the Internet," said Hasbro chairman and CEO Alan G. Hassenfeld in this morning's press release. "In addition, our relationship with Go2Net will ensure that Games.com delivers all of the benefits of sophisticated technology in an easy-to-use, friendly interface."

Games.com will initially launch at least 50 games, most of which will be powered by Java, on the portal's six gaming channels: Family, Kids, Arcade, Game Shows, Sports, and Avid Gamer. Hasbro will then expand the site to include community features like chat rooms and discussion boards. While there's no firm agreement as of yet, Hasbro and Go2Net hope to seal the deal this January.