Tokyopop Becomes One Of The Top Sponsors For Video Games Live At The Hollywood Bowl

VIDEO GAMES LIVE(tm) RETURNS TO THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL WITH A SPECTACULAR NEW SHOW SEPTEMBER 21, 2006

Featuring the Live Orchestral Debut of the 'Halo(r) 3 Announcement' Score Special Musical Guests to Include BT, Steve Vai, Dweezil Zappa, Video Game Pianist Martin Leung, Game Composers, and More

LOS ANGELES - September 7, 2006 - Off the heels of sold-out shows around the world, renowned video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall are bringing their immersive concert celebrating video games back to the world-famous Hollywood Bowl for the second time on September 21, 2006. The new Video Games Live(tm) concert features music from the most popular video games performed by top orchestras and choirs, combining exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussionists, and groundbreaking interactive segments to create an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.

The concert will feature the celebrated Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Video Games Live co-creator and conductor Jack Wall, with an opening act from famous recording artist Brian "BT" Transeau previewing selections from his new album "This Binary Universe." Legendary guitarists Steve Vai and Dweezil Zappa will be performing along with the orchestra, as well as special appearances by well-known video game composers. New segments include a live debut performance of the new "Halo(r) 3 Announcement" score as released this year at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, and the world premiere of Civilization IV, plus a rare special acoustic performance by the original Lucas Arts composers performing Monkey Island, Grim Fandango, and more.

Video Games Live will make history by being the first to bring the symphonic score from Final Fantasy(r) to the Hollywood Bowl. Fans will also enjoy a special solo performance by Video Game Pianist Martin Leung who will debut his unique Final Fantasy(r) piano arrangement consisting of over ten Final Fantasy(r) favorites. Special interactive segments involving the audience will take place during the show, including a live interactive Space Invaders game, a Frogger competition, and even a special interactive appearance by the Goodyear Blimp. The evening will begin at 5:30 pm with an exciting pre-show festival that includes game competitions, pre-released game demos, a costume contest, and the "meet and greet" session with famous game composers and designers from all over the world, available free to all ticket holders.

"We are thrilled to bring Video Games Live back to the Hollywood Bowl, where the show debuted last year in front of 11,000 people," said Tommy Tallarico, famed video game composer and co-creator/executive producer of Video Games Live. "It's such an exciting honor to be playing on the most famous stage in the world. I think it speaks volumes about how important video games have become to our culture."

"The one important thing to understand is that Video Games Live is really an event for the whole family," added Wall. "We include something for everyone, and even if you don't play video games, you'll be blown away by the show."

New music and exclusive video has been added to the already spectacular line-up of games including Mario(tm), Zelda(r), Final Fantasy(r), Halo(r), Metal Gear Solid(r), Warcraft(r), Myst(r), Kingdom Hearts, Medal of Honor(tm), Sonic(tm), Tron(r), God of War(tm) and others, plus there will be a new and expanded Classic Arcade Medley featuring tributes to the games that started it all.

The pre-show festival and costume contest will begin at 5:30 pm and is free to all ticket holders. Tickets ($3- $65) are currently on sale at www.ticketmaster.com, or click here to link directly to the VGL ticket page. The show will begin at 8:00 pm.

About the Hollywood Bowl

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and in 1991 gave its name to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, a resident ensemble that has filled a special niche in the musical life of Southern California. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 38th season. Attendance figures over the past several decades have soared: in 1980 the Bowl first topped the half-million mark and close to one million admissions have been recorded. In February 2006, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the second year in a row at the 17th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.

Tickets ($3 - $65) are on sale now at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office, by calling Ticketmaster at 213.480.3232, at all Ticketmaster outlets (Robinsons May, Tower Records, and Ritmo Latino locations), or online at HollywoodBowl.com. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850-2050 for further details.