Turtle Entertainment to exhibit eSports in Dubai

Cologne, July 4th, 2008 – Turtle Entertainment and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) cooperate on the launch of "GITEX Digital Game World", the largest interactive gaming event in the Arab World. Turtle Entertainment, organiser of the Electronic Sports League (ESL), presents the largest eSports tournament in the history of the Arab World at the "GITEX Digital Game World". The "GITEX Digital Game World" is a part of the joint fairs "GITEX Technology Week" and "GITEX Shopper & Consumer Electronics Expo". 260.000 visitors are expected during both fairs. The eSports tournament takes place at the "GITEX Shopper & Consumer Electronics Expo" at "Airport Expo Dubai", from October 18th till October 24th.

Turtle Entertainment will present eSports as a business model at the GITEX Technology Week, a business to business platform with discussion rounds regarding the topics "online retail selling" and "interactive marketing". The GITEX Technology Week starts October 19th and finishes October 23rd 2008 at the "Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre". It is exclusively for retailers and developers.

Commenting on the launch, Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, DWTC said: "Talking to our exhibitors it became clear that digital gaming has turned out to be a very important market in the Middle East, with not only the young population of the region but a wider adult audience increasingly investing a higher proportion of their disposable income in specialized hardware and software."

"We want to use GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK's unique global positioning to bring together distributors, developers and enthusiasts from around the world to profile the latest and the best in gaming technology. Providing a virtual link to GITEX Shopper will offer trade visitors and members of the public an opportunity to participate in the event and see the latest releases," he added.

To provide a fully-interactive experience, DWTC has partnered with Europe's leading online gaming league, the Electronic Sports League (ESL), to organise the largest game tournament in the history of the Arab World as part of "GITEX Digital Game World".

"The business potential of electronic gaming is enormous and the Middle East market is proving incredibly receptive to new games and online tournaments. We're proud to be working with DWTC to stage the first tournament of this size and scale in the entire region, and we're confident of a tremendous response. With our 10 years of experience in organizing eSports events and gaming entertainment shows, we will ensure a great experience for the audience and maximum impact for the Middle East gaming industry" said Jens Hilgers, CEO, Turtle Entertainment, operator of the ESL.

Turtle Entertainment
Turtle Entertainment was founded in 2000. The company quickly grew to the European leader in the sector of electronic sports (eSports). The Electronic Sports League, operated by Turtle Entertainment, is active in 20 different European countries. The league portal www.esl.eu reaches above 165 million page impressions a month generated by more than 800,000 members. Turtle Entertainment has 120 employees and is located in Cologne, Germany.

12 international license holders operate the ESL in different part of Europe. Turtle Entertainment owns the majority of the Chinese eSports league PGL (Pro Gamer League) since 2007. Important business partners of Turtle Entertainment are global corporations such as Intel, Dell, adidas and Volkswagen.

Turtle Entertainment markets its products worldwide using these specific brands: ESL Pro Series (national premier league), European Nations Championship (ESL ENC), Intel Extreme Masters, ESL WC3L Series, ESL Major Series, ESL TV, ESL Shop, Consoles Sport League, United Consoles League and eSports Award. Until December 2007 Turtle Entertainment has paid more than 2 million Euros prize money.

Further information is available at www.turtle-entertainment.de