We recently signed our first development agreement with a snowboarding team called “The Collection“. We can’t wait to use The BEAST in such a cool context – it’s going to be a lot of fun!
LOS ANGELES (September 26, 2005) — Tomo Software, a leading developer of technology for the creation of unique mobile device experiences, and Arrix Sports, the management firm for the groundbreaking professional snowboarding team The Collection, have announced a development agreement for the creation of a multi-faceted mobile offering based on the experience, travels, lifestyle and community of the snowboarding world. The concept, which will be built on Tomo’s proprietary and tested Mobile BEAST platform, will be refined over the next sixty-days in anticipation of a launch during the upcoming snowboarding season in the United States.
The Collection team riders, Ross Powers, Gretchen Bleiler, Kelly Clark, Andy Finch and Mason Aguirre, have captured championships and gold medals in every major snowboarding competition, including the Olympic Games, Winter X Games, US Open of Snowboarding and more. The team, established by the riders in 2004 as the first and likely most influential team in the sport, was created to establish a cohesive, defined platform that will support current and future leaders in the sport. The development of a mobile experience based on the team and their lifestyle is ideally suited to helping achieve that lofty goal.
“Mobile is everywhere, particularly among snowboarding audiences”, said John Arrix, president of Arrix Sports. We’ve been looking at the market for some time, and when we were introduced to the platform created by Tomo, we knew it offered significant opportunities and features that we haven’t seen anywhere else. We’re looking forward to the creation process and bringing The Collection to phones everywhere in the near future.
Initial stages of development take advantage of the broad and diverse offerings made possible through Tomo’s BEAST platform, which is a highly-customizable yet intuitive AI-driven storytelling engine with powerful socialization tools. The dynamic platform includes instantly updateable graphic & story components which will be based on the evolving content of the everyday life and competitions of The Collection team members, advice, tips, and more.
Users will have the opportunity to create and personalize their own character which will live and interact in the virtual world, following storylines and progressive paths to improve their skills, meet new friends and achieve aspirational goals on and off the slopes. Messaging and blogging components, a virtual store featuring the latest fashions and boarding equipment, group formation and scheduling of activities and much more will make the always-on experience a lasting community for not just snowboarders, but fans of the lifestyle and others looking for a strong sense of community with significant entertainment components.
“There are a number of fields and properties that the BEAST is well suited to present. Action sports and snowboarding in particular are high on that list because they thrive on community”, said Tomo co-founder and CEO Jason McDowall. “The Collection has made their mark as a one-of-a-kind team of champions who are dedicated to the evolution and future of their sport. The mobile concept we are developing will aid in their effort and truly offer fans a chance to be a part of the team in this virtual world.”
Through choices made by users about their interests, activities, clothing, friends and more, individuals will have an opportunity to shape their own character within the virtual world of The Collection. These activities will allow for the formulation and following of story lines and activities, provide a platform for establishing virtual and real world relationships and prepare the users to compete in scheduled events and competitions.
“Sports and other entertainment properties are striving to promote community, build awareness, and extend their brand into the exciting mobile space”, said McDowall. “We’re thrilled to be working with one of the best in the business to make this dream a reality.”
ABOUT TOMO
Tomo is a privately funded company, based in Los Angeles with contributing experts throughout the world. Tomo’s creative technology team is focused on leveraging social networks and promoting community and collaboration through intelligent, intuitive software. The company is involved in the creation of partnerships with producers of content brands and the licensing of their technology for third party uses. Visit www.tomosoftware.com to learn more about this emerging company.
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