Nickelodeon, one of the world’s leading entertainment brands for kids, and GigaMedia FunTown, a NASDAQ listed major provider of online entertainment in Asia, is set to launch the global first look of SpongeBob Town on October 25. SpongeBob Town is the first Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) based on Nickelodeon’s award-winning TV property, SpongeBob SquarePants.

The first beta test for SpongeBob Town runs from October 25 to 27 and game servers will be up for a limited time only, from 12:00 to 10:00 pm every day. Gamers and fans alike are encouraged to visit and “Like” the game’s Facebook page over at www.facebook.com/spongebobtown for instructions on how to get one of the 2,000 beta test accounts and to receive latest updates.

GigaMedia FunTown will release further announcements on the status of the game and players can expect more exciting developments this yearend, and in the first quarter of 2013. The game is expected to be fully launched by next year for players in China, Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia. Other markets will come soon thereafter.

Nickelodeon and GigaMedia FunTown aim to build upon the success of the highly popular SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon series and amp up the show’s fun factor by rolling out SpongeBob Town, a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Combining the expertise of Nickelodeon and GigaMedia FunTown, the game will bring together dedicated gaming fans and cartoon enthusiasts, blurring the line between the two to create a fresh, new gaming community.

SpongeBob Town features the vibrant cast of SpongeBob SquarePants where gamers play as characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star and Squidward Tentacles. Players begin their grand underwater adventure at Bikini Bottom, home to the show’s characters. The casual game offers an expansive quest-based experience and customization elements where players can develop their characters, build farms and invite friends to visit them at their homes to show off their progress and achievements.

Mini-games are available in the town’s lobby where special rewards can be unlocked. In the item-based car racing game, Bikini Drift, players get to design their own cars and take it out to race for the best rankings underwater. SpongeBob Town presents various gameplay modes all in a single game hub with a social lobby that ties it all together to deliver a truly immersive world of fun and challenges.

The game is developed with Unity 3D engine, which has enjoyed worldwide success with other games. It supports a wide range of platforms and applications to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience in the comfort of the user’s web browser. SpongeBob Town will feature more game modes in the future, with each mode able to stand alone as a full-fledged game.

Check out the latest on SpongeBob Town:

Game website: www.spongebobtown.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/spongebobtown

Twitter: twitter.com/spongebobtown

Plurk: www.plurk.com/spongebobtown

YouTube: www.youtube.com/spongebobtown

Nickelodeon, now in its 33^rd year globally and 14th year in Asia, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. The company has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does with a portfolio that extends across television, music, publishing, digital media, mobile and consumer products. Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. are seen in more than 60 million households throughout North and Southeast Asia region with 24-hour programming services including Nickelodeon Southeast Asia, Nickelodeon Japan, Nickelodeon Korea, as well as Nickelodeon branded program blocks and syndications. For more information about Nickelodeon in Asia, visit www.nick-asia.com.

About GigaMedia FunTown

GigaMedia FunTown is a subsidiary of GigaMedia Limited, a NASDAQ listed company, and a major provider of online entertainment software and services in Asia. FunTown’s online game business develops and operates a suite of games in Asia, with focus on web-based/mobile games in emerging markets. More information about GigaMedia FunTown can be obtained from www.funtown.com.tw.