WildTangent and ESRI Partner to Create Next-Generation Internet Mapping Applications

The companies promise to move mapping beyond current click-and-wait technology.

Redmond, WA, June 30, 2000: WildTangent, Inc. and ESRI announced today an agreement to create a new breed of Internet mapping applications. ESRI, the leading developer of geographic information system (GIS) software, will provide the mapping data for WildTangent to integrate into an upcoming release of WildTangent's mapping program, Maptastic 1.0. Maptastic 1.0 is an advanced mapping extension for ESRI's RouteMAP IMS that delivers maps in a Web browser faster and easier than any Internet-based solution on the market today. Using WildTangent's Web Driver� technology, existing maps can be displayed online and accessed in an easy to use, smooth-scrolling environment, eliminating the tedious click-and-wait technology of current mapping programs. Additionally, Maptastic features smooth panning and zooming, animated 3D models for points of interest (POI) and integrated advertising.

"WildTangent's technology allows us to broaden our current range of mapping applications," said Bill McNeil, business products division manager at ESRI. "Now, consumers will be able to interface with ESRI's maps in a whole new way."

"Through our relationship with ESRI, WildTangent can continue to create leading-edge applications such as Maptastic," stated Alex St. John, CEO of WildTangent. "We plan to eliminate the frustration of current mapping technology. Instead of clicking and waiting for information, users will be able to control their own experience by smoothly scrolling in every direction, and zooming in and out depending on their needs." WildTangent's Maptastic will create new marketing mediums for online advertisers and retailers. Consumers will be able to see animated 3D models of their favorite restaurants, hotels and shopping outlets. By providing this information within a mapping program, companies have a way of reaching out to consumer audiences with personalized information that doubles as informative advertising.

WildTangent plans to launch Maptastic 1.0 in early fall of 2000.

Note to editors:
For more information regarding WildTangent and WildTangent technologies, contact: Paige Young, public relations manager, 425.882.7963, ext. 20 or visit the WildTangent Web site at http://www.wildtangent.com. For additional information about the ESRI, contact Karen Hurlbut, marketing communications manager, at phone: 909-793-2853, ext. 1-1582 or via e-mail at [email protected]. All third-party products mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

About WildTangent's Web Driver and Web Driver SDK
By interfacing directly with DirectX, the WildTangent Web Driver� provides unprecedented performance on a Web page, allowing the creation of faster, richer, more interactive content. The Web Driver also takes full advantage of hardware acceleration, scaling content to an optimal level for each user's machine so that users will experience the same quality of graphics regardless of the speed of their CPU and connection. As a result, interactive multimedia content can be streamed to and cached on a user's machine with minimal wait, allowing for immediate access to information. WildTangent's Web Driver software development kit (SDK) also enables Web and game developers to create and deliver leading edge multimedia content via the Internet using standard scripting languages. In doing so, Web developers can easily create and incorporate rich advertising, entertainment and gaming content within a browser that scales to a user's system.

About WildTangent:
Founded in 1998, WildTangent ( http://www.wildtangent.com) is a privately held company located in Redmond, Washington and pursues the vision of building a richer, more communicative Internet experience through the use of 3D graphics, sound, animation, and interactivity. Additional product downloads and information, as well as developer resources, is posted on the WildTangent Web site at http://www.wildtangent.com.

About ESRI
For more than thirty years, ESRI has been the leading developer of geographic information system (GIS) software with more than 300,000 clients worldwide. ESRI also provides consulting, implementation, and technical support services.

In addition to its headquarters in California, ESRI has regional offices throughout the United States, international distributors in more than ninety countries, and more than 1,000 resellers and developers. ESRI 's goal is to provide users with comprehensive tools to help them quickly and efficiently manage and use geographic information to make a real difference in the world around them. ESRI can be found on the Web at www. esri .com.

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