September 25, 2009 - IP Converge Data Center, Inc., the information technology and telecommunications division of publicly-listed IPVG Corp. (PSE: IP), announced today that it has launched a new addition to its roster of solutions and services: IPC Business Continuity. This latest service offering from the Makati-based internet data center operator aims to address the business continuity and disaster recovery requirements of new and existing clients.
 
The IPC Business Continuity Center leverages on IP-Converge’s existing state-of the-art data center infrastructure and redundant IP network which guarantees continuous power, cooling and internet connectivity even in the event of a disaster. Located on the 34th floor of RCBC Plaza - a highly secure, seismic-zone 4 compliant building, the facility is fully equipped with business equipment such as copiers, fax machines, IDD/NDD capable phones, and printers to ensure that customers can continue to operate their business in the event of a disaster.
 
“IPC Business Continuity provides companies with accessibility to their mission-critical applications and data which will allow them to have true business continuity without the prohibitive cost of developing one for themselves,” says IPC AVP for Product Development Herns Hermida. “Companies are able to avert huge losses in revenue and credibility as their clients are able to continuously transact with them without them knowing that they are going through difficult times.”
 
IP-Converge’s business continuity center is a ready and available back up facility that’s ideal for all businesses to ensure continuous operation in the wake of unforeseen events, whether natural or human-induced. Moreover, the business continuity center will aid in the recovery of mission-critical data and sustain the operations over several days or even weeks until normal business is restored.
 
“In today’s interconnected world, it is incumbent for organizations to have facilities in place to mitigate the effects of disasters and make their mission-critical applications constantly available. Otherwise, customers will bring their business to a more stable and reliable service provider. Business continuity initiatives have become a fundamental move for companies to include in their short-term and strategic plans,” adds Hermida.
 
IPC Business Continuity is offered on a per-seat basis and clients are given the option of contracting seats on a dedicated or shared basis. The IPC Business Continuity Center is available to clients twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Together with its co-location, connectivity, internet and professional services, IP-Converge is able to customize business continuity solutions for virtually any customer, tailoring the service to suit specific disaster recovery plans.

IP-Converge is a regional internet data center providing a wide array of managed data services and business solutions at international standards with operations in Makati, Hong Kong and Singapore. An ISO 9001:2000 certified company, the foundation of the company`s business is centered on customer satisfaction through high-quality, on time delivery and through a personalized, "boutique" approach to clients.

About IP-Converge

IP-Converge is an Information Technology & Telecommunications (IT&T) company, providing a wide array of managed data services and business solutions at international standards. An ISO 9001:2000 Certified company, IP-Converge currently operates carrier-neutral, telco-grade Internet Data Center and network facilities in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and provides a variety of business solutions and services to local and international enterprises.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of publicly listed IPVG Corp. (PSE: IP), the foundation of the company`s business is centered on customer satisfaction through high-quality, on time delivery and through a personalized, "boutique" approach to clients. For more information, visit www.ip-converge.com.  


Press Contacts:

Niño Valmonte
Marketing Manager, IP-Converge
9764784 loc. 4213
nino.valmonte@ip-converge.com

Justine Agnes Bonilla
Senior Account Manager, Dominguez Marketing Communications Inc.
8977088 loc.107
justine.bonilla@dominguez.com.ph

New game features dual-class character system, crafting, instance dungeons blending high-fantasy and adventure

(Makati City, September 9) – IP e-Game Ventures Inc. (e-Games), the online gaming subsidiary of technology and communications conglomerate, IPVG, announced today its partnership with Tahadi Games for the rights to promote and operate Runes of Magic in the Philippines.

Developed by Taiwan-based Runewaker Entertainment, Runes of Magic is a new fantasy MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game), using a popular Western-style high-fantasy backdrop complete with heroic quests, crafting, incredible creatures and monsters to defeat. Runewaker, has put more than three years of development into the game.

With an extensive range of features, Runes of Magic is set to redefine the standard for free-to-play titles. Runes of Magic conveys an absorbing story through more than 1,600 quests in an exciting and dangerous fantasy world. Players can choose between six main classes and combined with a secondary class, choose to create a character from 30 character class combinations. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can use mounts including war horses.

John Tang, President of Runewaker, said they built Runes of Magic to surpass current game worlds in many respects.  “In the process, we have set new standards in design, technology, features and sheer dimension.  With over one million registered users in Europe and the United States, we are looking forward to welcoming the Filipino gamers into our fast-growing global community. We are very excited to work with IP-Egames in order to achieve this goal,” Tang said.

Gil Edeza, COO of e-Games, said that Runes of Magic (ROM) is a definite leap from the usual online grinding games. “Runes of Magic goes beyond the norm and offers a deeper level of gameplay.  This game is so well-rounded that both novice and veteran gamers will love this game. That’s how great it really is.”

Game Features and Requirements

Runes of Magic has the following features:

Dual Class - Runes of Magic is the first MMO to offer real working dual-class characters.  Be a Warrior and Priest at the same time and much more. Up to 30 class combinations can be made allowing players to become truly versatile.

Housing - ROM allows players to have their own virtual homes and decorate it with over 130 interior items. Players can show off their houses to other players and invite them to come inside their self-decorated houses.  

Instance Dungeons – Players can form a party and brave challenging dungeons. Small instance dungeons can accommodate six players while larger ones can house up to thirty six players.

Guild Castle - ROM lets players have their own Guild Castle. Players can make it their Guild Fortress to plan strategies, meet up and play.

Server vs. Server PvP – Challenge players and other guilds from different servers to PvP.

Heidi Mendita-Garayblas, e-Games VP for MMO, said the game boasts of gaming features not found on any other fantasy MMO. “The fact that you can have two sets of characters skills at any given time, you can own a home and decorate and have your own Guild Castle. That’s something you don’t see everyday in an MMO. And the number of quests are staggering. So you just see how big this game is.”

Aside from doing quests and destroying monsters, Runes of Magic provides players with crafting skills and jobs.  Gamers can get jobs such as gathering, mining, lumberjacking, gathering herbs, alchemy, armor creation, blacksmithing, botany, carpentry, tailoring and even cooking. Players who take on these jobs can gain more experience points, gain special items, prestige and more.

Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PVP, as well as demanding dungeons and boss monsters, Runes of Magic has something for everyone.

Runes of Magic has begun alpha Testing this September and closed beta testing (CBT) and open Beta testing (OBT) will happen this October.

Ed Pasion, e-Games VP for Marketing said that Runes of Magic will mark the end of everyone’s old, traditional gaming experience. “This new game is the most immersive free-to-play epic MMORPG which will offer a more sophisticated gaming experience for emerging and veteran gamers.”

For more information, go to www.runesofmagic.com.ph

About Tahadi Games:
TAHADI Games is a publisher of online games targeting the Middle East and North Africa region with plans to expand into other territories. The company will be the first mover in many of the game product categories, targeting over millions of Arabic Internet users throughout the region. The company’s management has proven track record of success in both the online games, as well as the Arabic Internet industries.

Editorial contacts:

Emir Samonte                                               
IP e-Game Ventures Inc.                                                
Tel – 976-4784                                       
emir.samonte@ip-egames.com         

Erica Cortez      
IPVG Corp.
Tel – 976-4784     
erica.cortez@ipvg.com

Justine Bonilla
Dominguez Marketing Communications, Inc.
Tel – 897 7088 / 890 3766
justine.bonilla@dominguez.com.ph

New online first person shooter has great game physics, over 1000 gun and costume customizations and world-renowned locales

(Makati City, September 11) – X-Play Online Games Inc. (X-Play), the joint venture company of IP EGame Ventures Inc. (IP e-Games) and GMA New Media Inc. (GMA NMI), the digital media arm of GMA Network Inc. announces today the release of Operation 7 (OP7), its newest game title.

Developed by Korean game development company Mgame, OP7 is a new MMOFPS (massively multiplayer online first person shooter game), that offers the most action-packed and most realistic first person shooter game available online.

Gil Edeza, COO of X-Play, said that OP7’s pedigree is undeniable and said that this game was developed and built with Counterstrike players in mind. “But OP7 is several notches up in the FPS ladder. It is undeniably the next step in the evolution of the FPS world. The game is geared towards the creative thinkers who know the artistry required in gun modification.”

Steven Choi, Director of Mgame`s International Business Department is excited about the partnership with X-Play. “We are thrilled with our partnership with X-Play. With its 3 million strong gaming community, the support they give them, and the dedication to their game titles, we believe OP7 will become a great hit for Philippine market.” Choi said.

Following the tried and tested formula of successful first person shooters, OP7 gives online players a lot of great gaming features, prime of which is the sheer gun customization options. Guns can be modified in the game offering a wide selection of parts such as Dot Sights, Scopes, Kobs, Silencers, Gun Body, Barrels, and more to create a gun unique to each player.  Over 1000 gun customizations can be created letting players create the perfect gun to suit their style.

In addition to gun customization, OP7 also allows players to customize the appearance of their avatar as the game progresses. The progress is dependent on skill level, so thought needs to be put into all aspects of the game.

OP 7 also uses maps based on real locations which offer an interesting insight into how combat unfolds. There is a map for instance of New York City’s Ground Zero that actually corresponds with the real location. Re-enactments of historical escapes and warfare then become possible with OP7. For players hankering for PVP, OP7 gives them just that and more with Clan Vs. Clan PVP.
 
Sonny Carlos, Product Manager for OP7 explains the game boasts of specific features not found on any other existing FPO. “The experience of the player is more realistic with screen blurring to mimic dizziness after an explosion, physics in OP7 are just realistic. Games of this caliber obviously had a lot of thought put into its development. We are extremely excited to see how this unfolds once the public tries it out,” Carlos said.

In addition, OP7 imitates reality with gameplay that offers features which require the players to have realistic battle tactics. Although not unique to OP7, the gameplay’s peek feature is much more like real life. This means that players have to think before they even peek. The radar at the bottom left of the screen is an extremely helpful addition for the players that are more alert and able to think on their toes.  

Thanks to the out-of-the-box thinking, thrilling missions, and the demands of warfare, OP7 has something for every first person shooter out there looking for a game created to exceed the rest and finally meet their standards.

OP7 launched their Open Beta Testing (OBT) September 9, 2009 with the proper anticipation for such a game. An increase in channel capacity was set prior to the launch

George Royeca, X-Play VP for Casual Games, claims that OP7 will mark the beginning of a new era of MMOFPS. ““This new game is the sophisticated gaming experience for those who have played other first person shooters. With most others, aside from gaining experience to get to the next level, there is no real reason to keep playing. But with OP7, the thrill is in the artistry of the weapons.”
 
For more information, go to http://op7.e-games.com.ph/

About X-Play
X-Play Online Games Incorporated (X-Play) is a joint venture between IP E-Game Ventures Inc. (IP E-Games), the online gaming subsidiary of IPVG. Corp. (PSE: IP) and GMA New Media Inc. (GMA-NMI), the digital media arm of GMA Network Inc. (PSE: GMA7) that is keen on revamping online casual gaming and bring it to even greater heights. It will focus on designing, operating and maintaining casual online gaming and casual online gaming-related portals. X-Play also aims at evolving and promoting casual online gaming and its digital content development, especially with the convergence of traditional and digital media through IP e-Games and GMA-NMI.

Editorial contacts:

Emir Samonte                                               
IP e-Game Ventures Inc.                                                
Tel – 976-4784                                       
emir.samonte@ip-egames.com         

Erica Cortez      
IPVG Corp.
Tel – 976-4784     
erica.cortez@ipvg.com

Justine Bonilla
Dominguez Marketing Communications, Inc.
Tel – 897 7088 / 890 3766
justine.bonilla@dominguez.com.ph
 

Makati City, 8 September 2009 – Technology firm IPVG Corp. (PSE: IP) announced today its financial results for the 1st half of its fiscal year (ended June 30, 2009).

IPVG reported consolidated interim financial results at Php 762 Million in Net Revenues, Php 23.7 Million more than the unaudited Net Revenues for 1st half of 2008.

Net Income Before Tax for 1st half of 2009 amounted to Php 24.3 Million. Q2 net income is up by 49% QoQ at Php 14.5 Million, versus Q1 net income of Php 9.7 Million.

Gross Profit is also up by 12.7% YOY at Php 404 Million for the 1st half of 2009. This is evidence of the improved growth in IPVG’s core business, partially due to recovery of the global economy and continued growth of sectors that IPVG operates in. Earnings Before Interest, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for the first half of 2009 is at Php 86.7 Million, 13% higher than the same period last year.

“While 2008 proved to be the height of the global financial crises, IPVG`s lines of businesses remained resilient to an extremely challenging global marco-environment. Our continued improvements in financial performance is an indicator of our ability in servicing the needs of our client (customer) base and the successful launch of new products and services across our business lines,” says Enrique Y. Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of IPVG Corp.

“Our strategies included mitigating risks from global expansion and investment programs. We likewise redefined IPVG’s core businesses that are high growth and high margin, where IPVG has a strategic differentiator,” says Gonzalez.

Gonzalez adds that IPVG’s strategy also included selling non-core businesses to streamline corporate focus. "We successfully executed our strategic plan of raising cash, reducing debt, and strengthening our balance sheet,” says Gonzalez.

IPVG’s Communications business represents 73% of revenue, Content at 16% and BPO at 11%.
 
1H 2009 Highlights

Capitalizing on its milestones for the first half of 2009, IPVG showed improved financial performance through revenue and profit growth. The company was able to close major investment deals despite the challenging macro-environment.

One of IPVG’s major deals for the 1st half of 2009 included a P300-million investment agreement with private investment groups GEM Global Yield Fund Limited, GEM Investment Advisors, Inc. (collectivity known as GEM) and ELITE Holdings Inc. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, IPVG grants GEM Global Yield Fund Limited to subscribe from IPVG and to purchase from existing shareholder Elite Holdings Inc. shares in IPVG. The funding will be used for IPVG’s future business activities and engagements, and for the expansion of its operating subsidiaries.

IPVG also closed a major transaction with PCCW Teleservices for the Sale of its Call Center business for $22M USD. IPVG will retain a 30% stake at the BPO Teleservices subsidiary which shall own and operate call center activities in the Philippines. With PCCW as a strategic joint-venture partner, our Call Center business offers clients a global footprint with a strong track record in servicing customers in key verticals such as aviation, consumer electronics, finance and other major industries.

About IPVG

IPVG is publicly listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE Ticker Symbol: IP). Its subsidiaries operate in the following business segments: (i) Communications (IP Services and Internet Security); (ii) Content (On-line gaming and Mobile solutions), and (iii) Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). IPVG presence is established in the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Panama, United Kingdom and USA.

For more information, visit www.ipvg.com.

Editorial Contacts

Erica G. Cortez
Marketing Services and Corporate Communications Specialist
Tel No.: 63 (2) 976-4784
Email: erica.cortez@ipvg.com

Mel Dominguez
Dominguez Marketing Communications, Inc.
Tel No.: 897 7088 / 890 3766
Email: mel@dominguez.com.ph

Makati City, September 7, 2009 – IP E-Game Ventures Inc. (IP E-Games), the online gaming subsidiary of publicly listed technology firm IPVG Corp. (PSE: IP) has secured an Investment Agreement with GEM Global Yield Fund Limited.  

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, IP E-Games grants GEM Global Yield Fund Limited to purchase shares in E-Games for up to an aggregate value of Five Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) or Ten Million US dollars (US$10,000,000). The funding will be used for E-Games’ future business activities and engagements.

The Agreement likewise provides that IP E-Games shall issue to GEM or to GEM’s order, one or more Warrant(s) to subscribe for up to Fifty Million Pesos (Php 50,000,000) or One Million US dollars (US$1,000,000).

The GEM Group (Global Emerging Markets), comprising GEM Investment Advisors, Inc. and Global Emerging Markets Global Yield Fund Limited and their affiliates, was founded in 1991. It is a US$ 2.7 billion alternative investment firm engaged in the management of a diverse set of investment tools centered on emerging markets all over the world. It is a UK-based fund management group with offices in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong. The scope of GEM Group’s activities and investment is both US domestic and international, across a broad spectrum of industries and transactional structures. The Group has completed more than 230 transactions representing investment in over 200 companies in 45 countries across the world.

IP E-Games operates the online gaming business unit of IPVG Corp. IP E-Games is ranked as the leading online games publisher in the Philippines and holds the top titles in the Philippines, including RAN Online, Cabal Online, Audition Dance Battle, and Presidential Award recipient Korean game Granado Espada. Other games include Chinese MMORPG ZX Online and Korean title Nostale Online. The casual games of IP E-Games are published under X-Play Online Games Inc. (X-Play), a joint venture company between IP E-Games and GMA New Media Inc. (GMA NMI), the digital arm of GMA Network Inc. (GMA7). IP E-GAMES strategic minority investors include the Philippine Star Group and E-Store Exchange (an affiliate of GMA7). For more information, visit www.e-games.com.ph
 
About IPVG

IPVG is publicly listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE Ticker Symbol: IP). Its subsidiaries operate in the following business segments: (i) Communications (IP Services and Internet Security); (ii) Content (On-line gaming and Mobile solutions), and (iii) Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). IPVG presence is established in the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Panama, United Kingdom and USA.

For more information, visit www.ipvg.com.

Editorial Contacts

Erica G. Cortez
Marketing Services and Corporate Communications Specialist
Tel No.: 63 (2) 976-4784
Email: erica.cortez@ipvg.com

Mel Dominguez
Dominguez Marketing Communications, Inc.
Tel No.: 897 7088 / 890 3766
Email: mel@dominguez.com.ph

IP-Converge delivers largest deployment of Salesforce.com in the South East
Asian Region

Cloud  computing  and  Software  as a Service took a huge step from being a trend   to  becoming  a  permanent  business model when Prudential Vietnam Finance  Co  Ltd.  (Prudential Finance), one of Vietnam`s leading consumer finance companies, became an On-Demand Salesforce.com customer. This was made   possible  through  the  implementation  and  customization  services delivered  by  Salesforce.com’s  Philippine  Select  Consulting Partner, IP-Converge  Data  Center,  Inc. The system - a full blown CRM integrated with Prudential  Finance’s  external systems and telephony - will be utilized by Prudential  Finance’s  outbound  call  center  operations  across  multiple channels.

The  Prudential  Finance  deal  is  the  largest  deployment  thus  far  by Salesforce.com  in  South  East Asia, outside of Singapore, with an initial deployment  of 200 Enterprise Edition licenses, ramping up to approximately 2000  licenses  within  the  year. IP-Converge’s services covered setup and deployment of the salesforce.com solution, including custom real-time integration with Prudential Finance’s existing applications and telephony. Entire project was completed and delivered within 2 months, with Prudential Finance being able to use the standard application (without integration) in a month’s time and complete integration after another.

“This  was  a  competitive win for Salesforce.com and Software as a Service over  traditional  software  solutions,  as  Vietnam  is viewed as the next emerging   economy   because   of   the  attractive  and  dynamic  business opportunities it offers. The Prudential Finance project can serve as a case study  that  shows  companies  that  they  can  move faster yet manage less software  and  IT  infrastructure,”  says  Mimi Dizon, IP-Converge Business Development Manager for Salesforce.com CRM in the Philippines.

Prudential Finance is a consumer finance company providing personal loans, home loans and sale finance in the Vietnam market.  The company will use Salesforce.com  for  lead generation and management, activity management of call  center  agents,  loan  application and consolidation of all data from incoming  and  outgoing  communications  including  phone calls, emails and faxes into a single database.

 “Salesforce.com will create for us uniformed information so that customers can be assured of the same high quality service regardless of the channel in which the (request) came in,” says Kalidas Ghose, CEO of Prudential Finance.  “The current market conditions make it necessary to accelerate response to concerns and strengthen brand loyalties. We turned to “Service in  the cloud” because of the speed of implementation that will allow us to engage  customers  and  resolve  issues  faster  without  the  expense  and maintenance of traditional software.”

IP-Converge  is  the information technology and telecommunications division of   publicly-listed  IPVG  Corp  and  operates  data  center  and  network facilities  in  the  Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong. Headquartered in Makati City, Philippines, the company also offers a wide array of business solutions covering customer relationship management and financial services.

About IP-Converge

IP-Converge is an Information Technology & Telecommunications (IT&T) company, providing a wide array of managed data services and business solutions at international standards. An ISO 9001:2000 Certified company, IP-Converge currently operates carrier-neutral, telco-grade Internet Data Center and network facilities in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and provides a variety of business solutions and services to local and international enterprises.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of publicly listed IPVG Corp. (PSE: IP), the foundation of the company`s business is centered on customer satisfaction through high-quality, on time delivery and through a personalized, "boutique" approach to clients.
For more information, visit www.ip-converge.com.  

Press Contacts:

Niño Valmonte
Marketing Manager, IP-Converge
9764784 loc. 4213
nino.valmonte@ip-converge.com

Justine Agnes Bonilla
Senior Account Manager, Dominguez Marketing Communications Inc.
8977088 loc.107
justine.bonilla@dominguez.com.ph